Gatekeeper
Guard at entrance
A gatekeeper controls access to something—originally the person who guards a gate, now usually someone who decides what or who gets through.
Editors are gatekeepers of publication, receptionists gatekeep access to executives.
In online discourse, gatekeeping often carries negative connotations: Stop gatekeeping—let people enjoy things.
The term implies someone is arbitrarily restricting participation in a community or hobby.
Collection overseer
- editorOne who revises text
- moderatorOne who presates proceedings
- filterPorous separation device
- censorOne who suppresses content
arbiter · publisher · algorithm · approval · selection · newsroom · content · broadcast
Network access control system
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- loginAuthentication act or screen
- passwordAuthentication string
- encryptionConverting data into code
admin · permissions · access control · cybersecurity · proxy · verification · two-factor · biometric
Venue entrance enforcer
- doormanBuilding entrance attendant
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- sentinelGuard who monitors
- watchmanBuilding security guard
checkpoint · entry · admission · exclusion · velvet rope · guest list · credentials · clearance
Government administrative official
- administratorPerson who manages operations
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- intermediaryAgent linking two parties
- brokerTransaction intermediary for hire
liaison · referral · committee · bottleneck · hierarchy · decision-maker · authority · middleman
curator
Collection overseer
censor · arbiter · publisher · algorithm · approval · selection · newsroom · content · broadcast · narrative
firewall
Network access control system
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- loginAuthentication act or screen
- passwordAuthentication string
encryption · admin · permissions · access control · cybersecurity · proxy · verification · two-factor · biometric · token
bouncer
Venue entrance enforcer
watchman · checkpoint · entry · admission · exclusion · velvet rope · guest list · credentials · clearance · pass
bureaucrat
Government administrative official
- administratorPerson who manages operations
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- intermediaryAgent linking two parties
broker · liaison · referral · committee · bottleneck · hierarchy · decision-maker · authority · middleman · protocol
Cerberus
Mythical watchdog of death's realm
- JanusRoman god of doorways
- threshold guardianOne who bars entry
- ferrymanOne who shuttles across water
Charon · underworld · St. Peter · Heimdall · Bifrost · sphinx · riddle · trial · passage · realm
goalie
Net-guarding player
penalty · shootout · gloves · crease · posts · clean sheet · blocker · stopper · shutout · reflexes
Gatekeeperwelcome mat
Rug at the entrance
open door · greeter · welcomer · facilitator · enabler
Gatekeepersupplicant
One who humbly entreats
petitioner · outsider · applicant · aspirant · seeker
Gatekeeperdemocratizer
What broadens participation
open source · disruptor · amplifier · disseminator · WikiLeaks
gate, keeper, gates, gated, gating, gatehouse, gateway, gateways, keep