> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fanfare.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Distribution Types Overview > Understanding the different ways consumers can gain access to your products A **Distribution** is the method that controls how consumers gain access to purchase your products. Different distribution types suit different business scenarios — from high-demand product launches to exclusive VIP events. ## Available Distribution Types Fanfare supports six distribution types: | Type | How It Works | Best For | | ------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | [**Queue**](/concepts/distributions/queue) | Consumers wait in a virtual line, served first-come-first-served | High-demand launches where order matters | | [**Draw**](/concepts/distributions/lottery) | Consumers enter a lottery and winners are randomly selected | Fair allocation when demand exceeds supply | | [**Auction**](/concepts/distributions/auction) | Consumers place competitive bids | Unique items, collectibles, price discovery | | [**Appointment**](/concepts/distributions/appointment) | Consumers book specific time slots | In-store pickups, consultations, services | | [**Timed Release**](/concepts/distributions/instant) | Instant access at a scheduled time | Flash sales, member perks | | [**Waitlist**](/concepts/distributions/exclusive) | Captures interest, notifies when available | Pre-launch signup, overflow handling | ## How Distributions Work Every distribution follows a similar pattern: Distribution consumer journey showing join, participate, get access, and purchase. ### 1. Join Consumers enter the distribution. Depending on the type, this might mean: * Joining a queue * Entering a draw * Placing a bid * Selecting a time slot ### 2. Participate Consumers actively participate according to the distribution method: * **Queue**: Watch their position move forward * **Draw**: Wait for the selection * **Auction**: Monitor bids and place new ones * **Appointment**: Confirm their booking ### 3. Get Access When it's their turn, consumers receive access to checkout. This includes: * A limited time window to complete their purchase * Clear instructions on next steps * Real-time countdown ### 4. Complete Purchase Consumers complete their purchase within the access window. If they don't complete in time, their access expires. ## Distribution Timing Each distribution has customer-facing timing derived from its configured window: ``` upcoming -> active -> ended ``` | State | Meaning | | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | **upcoming** | The distribution is scheduled but not active yet. | | **active** | Consumers can take the supported action for that distribution. | | **ended** | The distribution window or outcome timing has ended. | Some distributions add outcome timing. Draws use `drawAt` for winner selection, and auctions use `settleAt` for settlement timing. ## Access Windows When consumers receive access, they get a time-limited window to complete checkout: | Setting | What It Controls | | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | **Access duration** | How long consumers have to complete checkout | | **Expiration behavior** | What happens if they don't complete in time | **Best practices for access windows:** * **5-10 minutes** for simple checkouts (one item, saved payment) * **15-30 minutes** for complex purchases (multiple items, new payment info) * Always set an expiration to ensure fair access for waiting consumers ## Guest vs. Verified Access You can control whether consumers need to verify their identity: | Setting | When to Use | | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- | | **Allow guests** | Low-friction entry, maximize participation | | **Require verification** | Higher-value items, prevent abuse, enable notifications | **Guest support depends on the distribution type and launch configuration:** | Distribution | Guests Usually Allowed? | Why | | ------------- | ----------------------- | ----------------------------- | | Queue | Yes | Low friction for high-volume | | Draw | Yes | Maximize entries | | Auction | No | Need payment capability | | Appointment | No | Booking accountability | | Timed Release | Configurable | Controlled by `supportsGuest` | | Waitlist | Yes | Lead capture | ## Capacity Controls Different distributions have different capacity options: ### Queue * **Queue capacity** — Maximum people waiting at once * **Admission rate** — How many people access checkout per minute * **Total admissions** — Maximum total people who can purchase ### Draw * **Entry capacity** — Maximum entries accepted * **Winner count** — How many winners to select ### Auction * Typically single-item (winner is highest bidder) ### Appointment * **Slot capacity** — How many bookings per time slot * **Time slots** — Available booking times ## Choosing the Right Distribution Here's a decision guide: Distribution choice tree showing queue, draw, appointment, and timed release options. ### Queue **Best for:** High-demand product launches where first-come-first-served feels fair **Consumer experience:** Join the line, watch position update, get access when it's their turn **Example:** Sneaker drops, concert tickets, limited edition products ### Draw (Lottery) **Best for:** Situations where demand far exceeds supply and random selection feels most fair **Consumer experience:** Enter the draw, wait for selection, winners notified **Example:** Exclusive collaborations, oversubscribed events, fairness-focused brands ### Auction **Best for:** Unique items where price discovery is important **Consumer experience:** Place bids, monitor competition, highest bid wins **Example:** Art, collectibles, one-of-a-kind items ### Appointment **Best for:** Services or pickups that need scheduling **Consumer experience:** Browse available times, book a slot, receive confirmation **Example:** Store appointments, consultations, pickup scheduling ### Timed Release **Best for:** Simple access at a specific time without queuing **Consumer experience:** Countdown to release, instant access when it opens **Example:** Flash sales, member-exclusive access, promotional windows ### Waitlist **Best for:** Capturing interest before launch or handling overflow **Consumer experience:** Sign up, receive notification when available **Example:** Pre-launch interest, sold-out items that may return, overflow from other distributions ## Next Steps Learn more about each distribution type: * [Queue Distribution](/concepts/distributions/queue) — First-in-first-out waiting lines * [Draw Distribution](/concepts/distributions/lottery) — Random lottery selection * [Auction Distribution](/concepts/distributions/auction) — Competitive bidding * [Appointment Distribution](/concepts/distributions/appointment) — Time slot booking * [Timed Release Distribution](/concepts/distributions/instant) — Instant access at a time * [Waitlist Distribution](/concepts/distributions/exclusive) — Interest capture