How To Get Around News Paywalls

In this blog post, we will explore several effective methods for getting around news paywalls. From using incognito mode and clearing your browser cache, to subscribing to newsletters and using news aggregators, we’ve broken down the top tips and tricks for accessing articles from your favorite news publishers without the pain of paywalls. Whether you are a news enthusiast or simply looking to stay informed, these methods can help you access the content you want without breaking the bank. So, let’s dive in and explore how to get around news paywalls and read articles for free.

What is a paywall? 

A paywall is a digital barrier that prevents access to content unless the user pays a fee or signs up for a subscription. Many publications implement paywalls in order to drive up subscriber revenue if they aren’t solely financed through advertising.

There are two types of paywalls: hard and soft. A hard paywall blocks access to all content, while a soft paywall allows readers to view a limited number of articles before being prompted to pay. An example of a hard paywall would be The Wall Street Journal, whereas the New York Times implements a soft paywall, where you can view a certain number of articles per month before all articles become gated.

5 Ways To Get Around Article Paywalls

Use Incognito Mode

Many publishers use cookies to track users’ browsing history and limit access to their content. However, using incognito mode in your web browser prevents cookies from being stored, allowing you to bypass paywalls.

Here are the steps to use incognito mode in some popular web browsers:

Google Chrome:

1. Click on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the Chrome window.
2. Select “New incognito window” from the dropdown.
3. A new window will open with the incognito icon in the top-left corner.
4. From there, go to your favorite publication and start reading. 

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click on the three-line icon in the top-right corner of the window.
2. Select “New Private Window” from the dropdown.
3. A new window will open with the purple mask icon in the top-right corner.
4. You’re incognito now! Start reading your favorite paywalled pieces.

Apple Safari:

1. Click on “File” in the top-left corner of the Safari window.
2. Select “New Private Window” from the dropdown menu.
3. A new window will open with the dark mask icon in the top-right corner.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the Edge window.
2. Select “New InPrivate window” from the dropdown menu.
3. A new window will open with the blue InPrivate icon in the top-right corner.

Once you’re in incognito mode, you can browse the web as usual, and any cookies or browsing data will be deleted when you close the incognito window. Incognito mode doesn’t mean you are completely anonymous online, and your activity can still be seen by your internet service provider.

Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies  

Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies is another effective strategy for bypassing paywalls, because cookies help publishers track the articles you’ve read. By clearing your cache and cookies, you can reset this count and access more articles.

Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies deletes temporary internet files and data that websites store on your device. This can include login credentials, browsing history, and other tracking information – so be warned if you go this route, you may lose valuable data. 

Steps to Clear Cache and Cookies

To clear your browser’s cache and cookies, follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the browser window.
3. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
4. Scroll down to the “Privacy and Security” section.
5. Click on “Clear browsing data.”
6. Check the boxes next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
7. Click on “Clear data.”

Search for Articles on Social Media – Many publishers post their articles on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. By searching for the article on social media, you may be able to access it without hitting a paywall, though sometimes it might just be an excerpt of the entire thing. Below are a few ways you may be able to get article access through social media: 

1. Friend Shares

Friends and family members may share articles on their social media accounts, allowing you to access the content without having to subscribe to the news publisher.

2. News Aggregators

Some social media platforms such as Flipboard and LinkedIn News allow users to aggregate news articles from multiple sources into a single feed, providing access to articles from a variety of news publishers.

3. Free Trials

Some news publishers offer free trials to users who sign up for their services through social media platforms. By taking advantage of these free trials, you can access articles for free during the trial period without having to pay.

Use a Different Browser 

Some publishers use browser-specific paywalls, meaning that you may be able to access content on a different browser. For example, if you are using Google Chrome and you hit a paywall, you may be able to access the content on Firefox or Safari. Here are some recommended browsers to use when trying to access paywalled content:

1. Firefox

Firefox is a popular browser that is known for its strong privacy features. It also has several extensions that can help users bypass paywalls.

2. Brave

Brave is a privacy-focused browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. It also has a built-in feature that can bypass some paywalls.

3. Tor Browser

The Tor Browser is a privacy-focused browser that routes your internet traffic through a network of servers to make it difficult for anyone to track your activity. It is particularly useful for accessing content that is blocked by your geographic region.

Using a news aggregator

News aggregators allow users to access content from multiple sources in one place without having to navigate through multiple paywalls or subscriptions. Many users like aggregators for their convenience, customization, and cost savings. 

Benefits of Using a News Aggregator to Get Around Paywalls

1. Variety of Sources 

A news aggregator allows you to access articles from a variety of publications in one place, without having to incur subscriptions to each and every one.

2. Customizable Content 

Most news aggregators allow you to customize your content by selecting specific topics or sources that interest you, so you get the most relevant articles without having to sift through the rest. 

3. No Paywalls

Many news aggregators provide access to articles without hitting paywalls. This is because they often have partnerships with news publications that allow them to provide content to users for free.

4. Cost Savings

By using a news aggregator, you can save money by not having to pay for multiple subscriptions to access content from different news sources. 

In conclusion, paywalls can be frustrating for readers who want to access their favorite news sources without having to pay for multiple subscriptions. Paywalls come in two forms; hard paywalls block access from the very first article while soft paywalls let you access a few pieces of content before you need to subscribe. However, by trying the above methods, you can bypass both hard and soft paywalls and get access to the content you want to read.