If you’ve ever built an integration, a webhook helper, or even just a tiny internal tool for your agency inside HighLevel… you’ve felt it.
That moment where HighLevel pushes an update and suddenly everyone’s asking:
“Wait… is this going to break my stuff?”
This week’s big topic? Marketplace distribution changes, and wow, there’s a lot to unpack.
So let’s break it down in plain English, the way I’d explain it if we were sitting across from each other with coffee, a laptop, and a half-finished flowchart of automations. ☕💻
The Big Update: Public vs Private App Distribution
HighLevel is shifting how developers distribute apps through the marketplace.
In short:
👉 Developers may soon be required to publish apps publicly instead of distributing them privately.
On paper, this looks like a push toward consistency, transparency, and better user access.
But in reality?
It’s a bit more complicated.
Why Developers Are Concerned
Most agency-built apps aren’t glossy SaaS products.
They’re functional tools, connectors, webhook processors, authorizations, or niche workflows built for one specific use case.
In fact, 95% of marketplace apps today are basically API bridges.
They exist to make automations work, not to attract public attention.
And that’s where the issue lies.
Here’s what making these apps public could cause:
- 🔓 Exposure of internal tools agencies don’t want competitors seeing
- 🎭 White-label complications for agencies serving multiple brands
- 🧩 Clutter in the marketplace from niche or incomplete tools
- 💸 Confusion for users who stumble into apps never meant for them
- 🛠️ Maintenance headaches for developers suddenly accountable to the public
It’s not that developers are hiding anything, they just don’t want to turn their internal plumbing into a storefront.
Bonus Update: New Video Testimonial Tools
To brighten the mood a bit, there was a cool feature discussed:
HighLevel is rolling out a multi-question video testimonial system. Think Vocal Video, but built right into the ecosystem.
What makes it exciting?
- 🎤 Ask multiple questions
- 🎬 Users record separate videos for each answer
- ⭐ Perfect for collecting structured reviews
- 🌐 A new “review testimonial” embed for websites & funnels is coming
If you help clients gather social proof, you’re going to love this. And if you don’t help them gather testimonials… you should.
So What Should Agencies Do Now?
If these marketplace changes go live, and all signs point to yes, here’s how to keep your agency safe and scalable:
🔐 1. Audit your private apps
Identify which ones are internal-only and which ones could be safely public.
🧱 2. Document every integration and dependency
If something gets forced public, you’ll want a clear map of how it’s connected.
🧯 3. Prepare fallback options
Some apps may need to migrate out of HighLevel (airtable, N8n, custom nodes, etc.).
🎨 4. Get your branding ready
If a tool goes public, it should look intentional—not like the backend scaffold it actually is.
🧠 5. Stay plugged into trustworthy communities
Because guessing what HighLevel meant vs. did can waste enormous amounts of time.
Final Thoughts
Look, I love HighLevel. It’s powerful, flexible, and built for people who want to build things.
But with every massive platform, updates come fast and sometimes sideways.
This marketplace shift might feel confusing right now, but with the right plan, you can stay ahead of the chaos and keep your systems stable, your clients happy, and your automations humming.
And if you ever need help navigating HighLevel’s evolving ecosystem? That’s why HL Pro Tools exists.
Ready to simplify your HighLevel operations?
Cool Free Thing: Grab Your Testimonial Workflow
If you want to boost conversions, trust starts with proof—and nothing beats a great testimonial.
To help you collect them without chasing clients or wrangling messy files, I’m giving away our internal Testimonial Workflow.
It automates the entire process so you can gather and organize client reviews with zero friction.
Claim it here.
Go build something amazing. 🚀
Frequently Asked Questions
So What Should Agencies Do Now?
If these marketplace changes go live, and all signs point to yes, here’s how to keep your agency safe and scalable:
What should I know about the Big Update: Public vs Private App Distribution?
HighLevel is shifting how developers distribute apps through the marketplace.In short: 👉 Developers may soon be required to publish apps publicly instead of distributing them privately. On paper, this looks like a push toward consistency, transparency, and better user access. But in reality? It’s a bit more complicated.
Why Developers Are Concerned?
Most agency-built apps aren’t glossy SaaS products. They’re functional tools, connectors, webhook processors, authorizations, or niche workflows built for one specific use case. In fact, 95% of marketplace apps today are basically API bridges. They exist to make automations work, not to attract public attention. And that’s where the issue lies.
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