tl;ldr - Gta5/(*possibly)rdr2 keys are single use, non-transferable cd keys. Unlinking doesn't release the keys. They remain tied to the first social club account they are used on. You can't just make a new social club account and plug it in. Rebuying the game on the same steam account will also get you the same cd key unless you jump through many hoops contacting BOTH R* and Steam to get them get them to wipe the key. Think weeks, or month(s) - IF - you can even get them to do it.

Else, you are buying the key on a different steam account, using it on 'real' steam account before it is linked on/with social club on the 'new' steam account. Bearing in mind that account recovery will likely be worse in the future because now the cd key is not on the correct steam account for links/purchase receipts, etc.

*in regards to rdr2 - you can unlink/link other social club accounts - however, you will still likely lose other R* games like gta5 doing this process. Assess your situation/games. You will certainly loss online progress for rdr2/gtao. As the years roll on - R* has been changing their processes regarding this. When in doubt - ask R* to clarify.



Rockstar has changed some of their unlinking information/pages to be 'clearer' -
https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/22802944709395/Unlinking-an-account-from-your-Rockstar-Games-account

https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/22802682178707/Unlinking-your-Steam-account-from-your-Rockstar-Games-account


Below is a Dec 2023 response in about unlinking a steam account from social club.-
(slightly modified for steam post/readability)
(original link - https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/app/271590/discussions/0/4029096934191495278/#c4029096934192184838 )

Hello,
Thank you for contacting Rockstar support.

The rights to play GTAV are linked to both Social Club and Steam accounts. These accounts must remain linked or you will not be able to play GTAV or GTA Online with any of these accounts.

If we unlink your Steam account from your Social Club account, you will not be able to play GTA Online or GTAV with your Social Club account, even if another Steam account is subsequently linked.

However, if you still wish to proceed with unlinking from Steam, please contact us with the following information:

The nickname of the Social Club that you no longer want linked to Steam.

Screenshot showing that you are logged in to Steam, with your Steam profile name and your Steam64 ID.

The Steam ID64 written in the body of the request text. Sign in to Steam Click your Steam profile name in the top right corner of the window and select "Account Details." Take a screenshot that shows your Steam profile and Steam ID64 clearly visible on the screen.

Copy and paste the Steam ID64 into your response

Confirmation that you understand that by unlinking the accounts you will not be able to play GTA Online or GTAV with any of these accounts.

Unlinking accounts will also result in the loss of progress made in Red Dead Online.
When replying, please reply via your email rather than via the support site.

Once we have this information, we can proceed with your request. We greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation during this process.

Best regards, Rockstar Support.


tl;ldr - steam Gta5 keys are single use, non-transferable cd keys. Unlinking doesn't release the keys. They remain tied to the first social club account they are used on. You can't just make a new social club account and plug it in. Rebuying the game on the same steam account will also get you the same cd key unless you jump through many hoops contacting BOTH R* and Steam to get them get them to wipe the key. Think weeks, or month(s) - IF - you can even get them to do it. Or, you pull other multiple steam account, purchase, use game key on another steam account before activated on original account, etc. Point being - still another purchase because the key is toast. Rdr2 may/will let you unlink/link another steam - but you'll still lose other R* games - access your situation.

Long story short - if you are 'unlinking' because of lost/forgotten/hacked accounts -
Recover your social club account, or simply kiss it (or some games) goodbye.