Ghost Identity vs Profile on DeadArk: Which Should You Use?
A practical guide to DeadArk's two identities: a free ghost identity to join and explore, and a profile — earned by invite or upgraded by tier — for fuller participation.
- A ghost identity is free, open to anyone, and usable forever — the right choice for joining, exploring, and participating with no commitment.
- A profile is the fuller, more accountable identity, with greater capabilities that increase by tier.
- You get a profile through an invite — which grants the first tier — or by upgrading through paid tiers.
- Start as a ghost; move to a profile when you want fuller standing. Nothing forces the jump, and you keep your free access either way.
Two ways to show up
DeadArk gives you two kinds of identity, and the difference is deliberate. A ghost identity is how you *join* — free, open, and usable forever. A profile is how you *fully belong* — a richer, more accountable identity with greater capabilities. Neither is a trap: you can live happily as a ghost, and you can grow into a profile whenever it makes sense for you.
This guide explains which to use, when, and how to move between them.
At a glance
| Ghost identity | Profile | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, forever | Invite (first tier) or paid tiers |
| Who can have one | Anyone | Earned via invite, or upgraded |
| Best for | Joining, exploring, participating | Fuller, accountable participation |
| Capabilities | Some limitations | Greater, increasing by tier |
| Commitment | None | A vouch (invite) or an upgrade |
When a ghost identity is the right choice
Use a ghost identity when you want to show up without committing anything:
- You're new and want to explore public spaces before deciding anything.
- You want to participate in the open parts of the network for free.
- You simply don't need the extra capabilities a profile adds yet.
A ghost identity is free forever, so there's no pressure to "convert." Many people will use DeadArk this way indefinitely, and that's a fully supported path — not a degraded one. (See What Is a Ghost Identity?.)
When to move up to a profile
A profile is the fuller, more accountable identity. Choose it when you want greater capabilities and standing than a ghost identity offers. Profiles are tiered: the higher the tier, the more they unlock. There are two paths in:
- By invite. An eligible member, community, business, or institution can issue an invite, and an invite grants the first tier. The invite is also a vouch — it starts a chain of accountability, which is part of why profiles carry more standing than ghosts. (Availability can be limited and an invite isn't guaranteed.)
- By tier upgrade. You don't have to wait for an invite. You can move into and up the profile tiers through paid upgrades, each unlocking more.
Either way, the philosophy is the same one DeadArk is built on: the door is free and open, and fuller belonging is something you earn or grow into. (See Free to Join, Earned to Belong.)
How the tiers work
Think of tiers as levels of capability on the profile layer. The first tier is what an invite grants; higher tiers unlock progressively more and are reached through paid upgrades. You're never downgraded out of what you have, and moving up is a choice you make when the added capability is worth it to you — not a toll you must pay to keep participating.
Does upgrading change who owns your identity?
No. DeadArk treats your identity as yours at every layer. Identity is portable and exit is a right, whether you're a ghost or on a high profile tier — upgrading buys you capability, not a leash. (See What Is Portable Social Identity? and Why Exit Rights Matter.)
A simple way to decide
- Just looking or casually taking part? Stay a ghost. It's free forever.
- Got an invite? Accept it — it grants your first profile tier at no cost and starts you with real standing.
- Want more capability and didn't get an invite? Upgrade through the tiers when it's worth it to you.
The takeaway
Join free as a ghost, belong more fully as a profile. The path up is there when you want it — through a vouch or an upgrade — and your free access never goes away.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a ghost identity and a profile on DeadArk?
A ghost identity is the free, open way to join and participate, usable forever with some limitations. A profile is the fuller, more accountable identity with greater capabilities that increase by tier, obtained through an invite (which grants the first tier) or by upgrading through paid tiers.
How do I get a DeadArk profile?
Two ways: accept an invite from an eligible member, community, business, or institution — which grants the first tier — or upgrade into and up the profile tiers through paid upgrades. You do not need an invite to start using DeadArk, only to create a profile.
Do DeadArk profile tiers cost money?
The first profile tier is granted free by an invite. Beyond that, higher tiers are reached through paid upgrades, each unlocking more capabilities. You are never downgraded, and your free ghost access remains available regardless.
Do I have to upgrade to a profile?
No. A ghost identity is free forever and is a fully supported way to use DeadArk. You only move to a profile if you want the greater capabilities and standing it provides.
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DeadArk is a local social network for people, communities, businesses, projects, publications, and institutions to connect through shared interests and place. Learn more at deadark.com.