This Blog was Originally Posted to EonVPN Blog
Many websites that provide news and media content have created paywalls nowadays to secure income and control access to their valuable content. Even if these paywalls are designed to uphold the worth of information, they often annoy those who do not wish to pay for a subscription. There are acceptable methods to overcome paywalls without having to pay, which helps you enjoy the content you desire. In this blog we share different strategies to navigate paywalls and freely read articles.
What is a paywall?
A paywall is a method used by publishers to restrict access to certain content, requiring users to pay for a subscription or one-time access. Various news organizations implement paywalls to generate income and protect the value of their high-quality content. There are a few types of paywalls, such as hard paywalls, metered paywalls, and freemium models.
Effective methods to bypass paywalls for free
Use a VPN
Some of the websites use geographic restrictions that allow some regions to access their content for free, while paywalls block others. By using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can easily bypass geo-restricted paywalls by changing your IP address and accessing content as if you are accessing the content from a non-restricted region.
There are many VPNs available in the market, including EonVPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and more, you have to choose the right one according to your needs. VPN not only bypasses paywall restrictions but also adds an extra layer of security by keeping your browsing activities private.
Use paywall bypass browser extensions
There are various browser extensions and add-ons available that can help you bypass paywalls. These options detect and avoid paywalls on various well-known websites automatically. Some of the most effective extensions include:
-Bypass Paywalls (Chrome/Firefox): This extension is effective on several news websites.
-Outline.com: It eliminates interruptions from articles and can sometimes avoid paywalls.
You can install these extensions from Chrome, then you just have to go to the search bar and write “bypass paywalls,” or you can also write the extension name and search. This way, you can find the list of extensions, choose carefully, and add it to your Chrome with a single click.
If you are using Firefox, visit the Firefox add-ons page, search for the bypass paywall extension, and then just add it to your Firefox. Remember, these extensions may not work on all websites, but they are quite effective on many popular news outlets.
Use incognito mode
Using your browser’s incognito window can easily bypass paywalls without additional effort. Several websites limit the number of free article views with cookie tracking. Whenever you read in private mode the site can’t recognize how many times you have accessed it and thus lets you explore articles with a paywall without limitations.
To use incognito mode, click on the three dots at the top right corner of your browser and simply select incognito mode. This method works best for soft paywalls, which limit the number of free articles before requiring payment.
Use Reader Mode in browsers
Many modern browsers have a ‘Reader Mode’ feature that eliminates all unwanted items on a webpage and showcases only the article’s text. This option may assist in bypassing paywall articles by simplifying the layout and eliminating the paywall barrier.
Reader mode can be used for less popular sites to bypass their paywall and get easy access to premium content. You can switch to Reader Mode by entering “chrome://flags/“ in the browser link field and clicking on “Enable Reader Mode” to turn it on. For Firefox, simply select the book icon in the browser’s address bar to use it. Additionally, in Safari, you just have to Choose the Reader button from the address bar.
Disable javaScript
A lot of online platforms rely on JavaScript to lock content behind paywalls. Disabling JavaScript in the browser allows you to sometimes bypass paywalls and view content. This method is particularly useful for websites with hard paywalls that block access unless you disable several features.
You can disable the javascript easily by simply following these methods:
- In Chrome: Go to Settings, then “Privacy and Security,” after this, choose Site Settings finally, select JavaScript and block it.
- In Firefox: Type “about” in the address bar, search for “javascript.enabled,” and set it to “false.”
- In Safari: Go to Preferences, then Security, and uncheck “Enable JavaScript.”
Remember that turning off JavaScript can also disrupt various functions on the site.
Use Archive websites
You might use Archive.is or Wayback Machine and similar websites to bypass paywall restrictions and view articles. These sites record images of websites as they evolve over time.
You might uncover a saved copy of an article that enables you to access the article behind a paywall for free through these platforms.
You can read restricted content by pasting the URL of a particular article in the Archive websites and enjoy reading.
Use Google Cache
Google Cache is another way to access paywall-restricted articles. Google usually preserves past versions of web pages that might have complete articles prior to the paywall being enforced.
To use Google Cache, go to the article from Google, choose the arrow next to the URL in the search results, and opt for “Cached.” This way, you can easily view the saved copy of the article. This approach works well with news sites that recently activated paywalls and keep earlier free versions on Google’s servers.
Access articles via social media
Many companies publish their content on social networks like Twitter or Facebook. A direct link to an article posted on these platforms might help you overcome paywall limitations and enable you to view the article without restrictions.
This approach is particularly beneficial for sites that grant some free access to social media outlets.
Use RSS feeds
A few sites allow users to access complete articles through their RSS feeds. If you follow the RSS feed of a publication, you can read articles behind paywalls without the need for a website.
This approach is ideal for sites still providing full articles through RSS.
Clear browser cookies
Websites commonly employ cookies to limit and track the number of complimentary articles you’ve viewed. Clearing your browser cookies enables you to bypass paywalls and reset article counts to explore more content.
This method is most effective for soft paywalls that restrict accessing a certain number of free articles.
Try a different browser
Occasionally, changing your browser may allow you to avoid paywalls. Paywalls on some websites can vary depending on the browser you use. If you face restrictions with one browser, switch to another to access the content for free without paywalls.
This approach is most suitable for sites that do not enforce paywalls uniformly in various browsers.
Use “Read Later” services
Apps such as Pocket and Instapaper provide an option to bookmark articles for later reading. In some situations, these services can provide a workaround to paywalls by preserving a brief summary of the article without the paywall.
This approach is ideal for soft paywalls that still allow you to read the full article in a simpler version.
Use Google Translate
It may surprise you that Google Translate can sometimes allow access to blocked content. Converting an article into another language may enable you to escape the restrictions of paywalls to gain access to the content.
This method works best for websites with simpler paywalls that don’t block translation services.
Search for a PDF version
Some websites may have PDF versions of their articles available for download or viewing. These PDF files usually escape the restrictions imposed by paywalls.
This approach is ideal for academic publications and research articles.
Ask a friend with a subscription
You can seek assistance from a friend or colleague who holds a subscription to the publication to provide you with the article. Several subscription services let users exchange articles with other users at no charge.
This approach is ideal for premium publications such as The New York Times or The Washington Post.
Use Telegram bots
Certain Telegram bots were created to get around paywalls for particular publications. These bots can retrieve and deliver the complete text of an article that may be hidden under a paywall.
This method is particularly effective for famous magazines that have a vast audience on Telegram.
Use websites that provide article access
Several websites gather articles from premium publications and provide free access to them. Though these services might not be entirely legal there are several that offer free access to read articles without paywalls. These websites eliminate the paywall and deliver a simplified version of the article.
Seeking out free trials and promotions
Few of websites provide free trials or promotions that allow you to enjoy their premium content without paying. Make sure to utilize these chances and cancel your subscription prior to the trial period ending to avoid being billed.
The 12ft to bypass paywalls
The 12ft website serves as a medium that permits you to escape paywalls by providing a cached version of the content. While this can be a convenient option, it’s important to be aware of the ethical and legal implications of using such tools.
Conclusion
Paywalls can be annoying when all you want is to access articles free of charge or to seek out content behind a barrier. There are various methods you can use to easily avoid paywalls and access the content without spending a lot. You can use incognito mode, VPN, or browser extensions along with creative techniques like Google Translate to avoid paywalls and find the content you need.
Keep in mind the ethical and legal implications of using techniques to access paywalls and support content creators when feasible by subscribing to platforms you often use.
Top comments (0)