Frequently asked questions

Question 1

What is Spike?

Accepted Answer

Spike is a secure file library where each folder can become a share link, a protected preview, or a paid download, without stitching together separate storage, transfer, and checkout tools.

Upload photos, video, audio, PDFs, archives, and more into private folders. When you are ready, turn on a link so clients or buyers can preview your work, pay to unlock it, or download what you allow.

Question 2

Who is Spike for?

Accepted Answer

Creators and professionals who need to store large files, share them safely, and sometimes charge for access: photographers delivering galleries, producers selling beat packs, designers sharing client proofs, educators selling course files, and anyone tired of expiring transfer links plus a separate payment step.

Question 3

How is Spike different from WeTransfer or Dropbox links?

Accepted Answer

Transfer tools are built to move files once. Links often expire, there is no built-in preview protection, and you cannot take payment on the same page.

Spike keeps a permanent library, lets you blur or watermark previews before release, and can turn the same link into checkout. Your files stay organised instead of scattered across one-off uploads.

Question 4

Do I need an account?

Accepted Answer

You can drag files onto the homepage and try Spike without signing in. To keep folders in your dashboard, sell files, connect Stripe, or sync across devices, you need a free account.

Guest uploads are not saved permanently. Sign in when you want your library to persist.

Question 5

What file types does Spike support?

Accepted Answer

Images, video, audio, PDFs, text and code files, archives (ZIP and similar), and other common formats. Heavy photo sets and long video files upload in the background while you keep working.

In-browser preview works for images, video, audio, and PDFs. Other types can still be stored and downloaded.

Question 6

Are files private by default?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every folder starts private. Nothing is visible on the public web until you enable a share link or turn on selling for that folder.

Only you (and people you explicitly grant access to via link settings) can see shared content.

Question 7

Why use blur instead of sending originals?

Accepted Answer

Blur lets someone evaluate your work (composition, colour, scope, pacing) without receiving full-resolution files. It is especially useful before payment or client approval.

You can also add watermarks on individual images. Originals stay locked until you allow download or the buyer pays.

Question 8

If a link is public, what can visitors do?

Accepted Answer

They can only do what your folder settings allow: browse previews, download files you have unlocked, or purchase to get full access. Combine blur, passwords, optional link expiry, and pricing to control exposure.

Public does not mean unrestricted. You set the rules per folder.

Question 9

Can I password-protect a link?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In folder settings, set privacy to Password and choose a passphrase. Visitors must enter it before they can open the page.

Password protection works alongside blur and selling, useful for client galleries you do not want indexed or passed around casually.

Question 10

Can I set a link to expire?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Paid plans can leave links open indefinitely. On the Free plan, share links expire after three days unless you upgrade.

You can also set a custom expiry window in folder settings on any plan, so a link stops working after a date you choose.

Question 11

Is there a free plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Free plan includes 1 GB storage, up to 2,000 files, sharing with 3-day link expiry, and the ability to sell folders with a 5% platform fee.

It is enough to try Spike, share a small project, or run your first sale. Upgrade when you need more space, permanent links, branding, or lower selling fees.

Question 12

What do Pro and Business include?

Accepted Answer

Pro (£8/month) adds 250 GB storage, up to 50,000 files, no link expiry, branding and appearance controls, analytics, and a 1% platform fee on sales.

Business (£20/month) includes everything in Pro with 1 TB storage, unlimited files, maximum limits across the product, and 0% platform fee on sales.

Question 13

How long are files kept on the Free plan?

Accepted Answer

Files on the Free plan are kept for 30 days, then scheduled for deletion. You receive a warning email before anything is removed.

Pro and Business plans do not apply this per-file timer. Your library stays as long as your account is active. Upgrading clears the deletion schedule on files within your new plan limits.

Question 14

Can I upgrade or downgrade anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Upgrades take effect immediately and unlock the higher limits. Downgrades are scheduled for the end of your current billing period so you keep paid features until then.

If you downgrade to Free, files above the free storage cap get a fresh 30-day retention timer. Re-upgrade any time to keep them.

Question 15

Where can I see current plan details?

Accepted Answer

Open Spike, go to your account or pricing view, and compare tiers side by side. Plan limits and fees shown there always reflect what is active on your account.

Question 16

How do I start selling?

Accepted Answer

Sign in, complete Stripe Connect onboarding from account settings, then open a folder, enable Sell, and set your price in GBP. The share link becomes a checkout page.

Buyers pay by card, and the full folder unlocks for download immediately. No manual hand-off or invoice chasing.

Question 17

When do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Card payments run through Stripe Connect. Funds land in your connected Stripe account and follow Stripe's standard payout schedule to your bank (typically a few business days, depending on your country and account status).

You can track payouts and balance in your Stripe dashboard.

Question 18

Does Spike take a commission on sales?

Accepted Answer

Spike charges a platform fee on sales based on your plan: 5% on Free, 1% on Pro, and 0% on Business. Buyers pay your listed price. The fee is deducted from your payout, not added at checkout.

Stripe's card processing fees also apply, as with any card payment. There is no separate marketplace listing you; you share your own link directly.

Question 19

Can one link sell to unlimited buyers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each buyer checks out independently and receives their own download access. You set the price once; every sale uses the same link.

Sold content is preserved for buyers even if you later reorganise or remove files from your workspace.

Question 20

What can I sell?

Accepted Answer

Any digital files in a folder: photo galleries, design assets, beat packs and stems, video packs, ebooks, presets, templates, course materials, and similar downloadable products.

You are responsible for having the rights to sell what you upload. Spike does not host physical goods or shipped products.

Question 21

Which currency and minimum price?

Accepted Answer

Prices are set in GBP (£). Checkout is card-based through Stripe. The minimum sale price is £1.00.

Multi-currency buyer checkout is not supported today. Buyers see and pay in pounds.

Question 22

Can I sell a single file or only whole folders?

Accepted Answer

Selling is enabled at the folder level. Put the files you want to sell together in one folder, set one price, and share one link.

Use subfolders inside your library to organise work; the buyer unlocks the priced folder as a unit.

Question 23

Do shared links expire like transfer sites?

Accepted Answer

Your library itself does not auto-expire the way many transfer services do. Folders stay until you delete them.

Individual share links can optionally expire via folder settings. Free-plan links expire after three days unless you upgrade to Pro or Business.

Question 24

Is there a file size limit?

Accepted Answer

Spike is built for large originals: high-resolution photo sets, long video, multi-gigabyte archives. Total storage depends on your plan (1 GB on Free, 250 GB on Pro, 1 TB on Business).

Very large files upload in the background; you can keep browsing while they finish.

Question 25

What happens if I delete a folder or file?

Accepted Answer

Deleted items are removed from your library and from any active share links. Buyers who already purchased retain access to content they paid for.

Deletion is permanent on your side. Download anything you need before removing it.

Question 26

Who can see analytics data?

Accepted Answer

Only you, on your signed-in dashboard. Analytics show aggregate views, downloads, and revenue, not a per-visitor tracker or individual browsing profiles.

Pro and Business plans include the full analytics panel; use it to see which folders get traction.

Question 27

Where are files stored?

Accepted Answer

Files are stored with trusted cloud infrastructure using encryption in transit and at rest. Spike is operated by ITALIK STUDIO LTD (UK). See the Privacy Policy for how data is handled and your rights under UK GDPR.

Question 28

How do I get help with a specific feature?

Accepted Answer

The documentation walks through every workflow step by step: uploads, sharing, blur, selling, branding, and analytics. Start there for how-to questions.

For policy, billing, or anything not covered in the guides, contact support and include your account email and a link to the folder if relevant.

Question 29

Can I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, from Account Settings when you are on the Free plan or after cancelling a paid subscription. You confirm by typing your email. Deletion is permanent and immediate — there is no grace period.

Your login and personal files are removed. Purchase and billing records stay on file, buyers keep access to purchases, and payout records are retained. Signing in again with the same email starts a new account; it does not reopen the closed one.

Question 30

What if a buyer has a problem with a purchase?

Accepted Answer

Buyers should contact you first as the seller. If there is a payment dispute, Stripe handles chargebacks through your connected account.

Spike can help locate purchase records when you contact support with the buyer email and approximate date.

Question 31

Is Spike available outside the UK?

Accepted Answer

You can sign up and use Spike from many countries. Selling requires Stripe Connect, which has its own supported countries and verification rules.

Pricing is in GBP. Check Stripe's documentation for payout availability in your region before enabling Sell.

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