Many of you may have redirected here, when you tried to access my earlier posts.
Sorry the how to bypass paywalls articles are no longer available in this blog.
In the past, I have posted over 40 posts on how to get around paywalls, including tools, browser tricks, and even lists of free-to-read websites.
However, those articles have been removed to comply with Google’s Terms of Service and the AdSense Program Policies.
That said, some of those archived pages may still be found at:
⚠️ Instead of discussing hacks or questionable workarounds, this guide focuses on legal and ethical methods to access paywalled content .
Yes, without violating copyright law or website terms of service.
Why Are Web Articles Paywalled?
Many reputable publishers, from newspapers to academic journals, rely on subscriptions to fund quality journalism and research.
To protect their content, they implement paywalls.
However, not everyone can afford multiple subscriptions — especially students, researchers, or casual readers.
This leads to the search for alternative ways to access information, raising both legal and ethical concerns.
In fact you can find all these usual methods in Reddit, Quora or Hacker News:
- Clear browsing history
- Private browsing,
- Reader View/Reading Mode
- Disable JavaScript
- Disable CSS,
- Add a dot after the top-level domain
- Press the "Esc" key
- Archive. Today
- 12ft. Ladder
- Bypass Paywall Clean extension
Is Bypassing Paywall Illegal?
Bypassing a paywall often violates a website’s terms of service, but this is generally considered a civil issue, not a criminal one.
However, using certain tools or engaging in unauthorized access could potentially violate:
- Copyright law
- Terms of Use
- DMCA Section 1201 (against technological circumvention)
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the U.S.
In short, just because a method works doesn't mean it's legal or ethical. You could risk:
- Account termination
- IP bans
- Legal notices or takedowns
- Exposure to malware or scams from shady tools
Legal And Ethical Ways To Access Paywalled Web Articles
Here are proven, legitimate methods that allow you to access paywalled web articles, academic papers, and other content without violating laws or terms.
Table of Contents
- Paywalled Articles In Google Search Results Page
- Use Library or Institutional Access
- Sign Up for Free Trials
- Check Publisher’s Social Media
- Use News Aggregator Apps
- Try Google Scholar or Open Academic Tools
- Browser Extensions (Legal Ones)
- Open Access Button
- Preprint Servers & Institutional Repositories
- Contact the Author or Publisher
1. Paywalled Articles In Google Search results Page
You can get quite a handful of blocked web articles readily available in full in Google search results page.
To find any of these random paywalled articles, copy out the title of the article.
Paste it in the Google Search box and press the "Enter" key.
Back in those day, you can using the Google cache is one methods to get around paywalls.
Unfortunately in 2024, Google removed its "Cached" link from search results.
2. Use Library Or Institutional Access
Many public libraries, universities, and research institutions subscribe to paywalled databases.
✅ You can:
- Access articles via your library login
- Use in-library computers
- Ask a librarian for help accessing journals
Examples: JSTOR, ProQuest, EBSCOhost
3. Sign Up For Free Trials
Some premium news sites offer free trials, from 7 days to 60 days.
✅ Examples:
- The New York Times
- The Atlantic
- Bloomberg
- The Economist
- The Boston Globe
Remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t wish to be charged.
4. Check Publisher’s Social Media
Occasionally, publishers post full articles or non-paywalled links on:
- Twitter (X)
- Newsletters
✅ Follow official accounts for occasional free access.
5. Use News Aggregator Apps
Some paywalled articles may be accessible via:
- Google News
- Apple News
While not guaranteed, these aggregators occasionally display the full article or a longer preview.
6. Try Google Scholar Or Open Academic Tools
If you're looking for academic content, try:
- Google Scholar
- Lazy Scholar browser extension
- EndNote Click (formerly Kopernio)
They often link to PDF versions hosted legally by authors or institutions.
7. Browser Extensions (Legal Ones)
These are safe, free, and ethically sound tools:
- Unpaywall – locates free versions of paywalled papers
- CORE Discovery – finds open access content
- Lazy Scholar – finds full texts in one click
All these tools work by checking open repositories, university servers, and author archives.
8. Open Access Button
Visit: https://openaccessbutton.org
You can enter a URL or article DOI to see if a free version is available. It’s 100% legal and supports academic sharing.
9. Preprint Servers & Institutional Repositories
Many researchers publish preprint versions of their papers before formal peer review.
Try:
✅ These are especially useful in science, economics, and medicine.
10. Contact Author Or Publisher
If you need a specific article and can’t find a free version:
📧 Email the author directly — most are happy to share a copy for educational use.
You can often find contact info:
- On the journal site
- University staff pages
- LinkedIn or academic networks
These are truly legal ways to access paywalled web articles, without risking copyright infringement or legal troubles.
FAQ: About Paywalls
Q1: What is a paywall?
A paywall is a system that restricts access to digital content unless the user pays or subscribes. It is commonly used by news websites, magazines, academic journals, and other publishers to generate revenue from premium content.
Q2: What are the 4 types of paywalls?
- Hard Paywall: Blocks all content unless you’re a paid subscriber. No free access. Examples: Wall Street Journal, Financial Times.
- Metered Paywall: Allows a limited number of free articles per month before requiring a subscription. Examples: New York Times, Harvard Business Review.
- Freemium Paywall: Offers a mix of free and premium content. Some articles are free, while others require payment. Examples: USA Today, Business Insider.
- Dynamic Paywall: Uses machine learning to customize access based on user behavior. It adjusts article limits and subscription prompts. Examples: The New York Times, New York Magazine.
Q3: Is it illegal to bypass paywalls?
Bypassing paywalls can potentially violate a site's terms of service, copyright laws, or even federal laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the U.S. Tools that disable or circumvent paywalls (like browser extensions) may also violate the DMCA if they bypass digital access controls.
Even if not always criminal, it's often considered a civil violation and can result in legal notices, account bans, or blocked access.
Q4: Are there legal ways to read paywalled articles?
Yes. You can access many paywalled articles legally through as explained above:
- Google Scholar
- Unpaywall extension
- CORE Discovery
- Open Access Button
- Library databases, institutional subscriptions, and author requests
Q5: Why do publishers use paywalls?
Paywalls help publishers generate revenue in a digital environment where ad income has declined. They allow content creators to be compensated for their work and help fund quality journalism and research.
Q6: What risks come with bypassing paywalls?
Using paywall-bypass tools may expose you to:
- Legal risks (DMCA, CFAA violations)
- Account suspension or banning
- IP address blocking or browser fingerprint tracking
- Malicious websites or malware from shady bypass tools
Q7: Can I share paywalled articles with others?
You can usually share the article link, but not the full content (e.g. copy-paste or screenshots), unless the publisher explicitly allows it. Always check the website's copyright policy or look for a “share article” feature.
Summary: Stay Legal, Stay Smart
While many tools to bypass paywalls exist, using them can risk copyright infringement, security threats, and legal action.
✅ Your best options:
- Use academic & library tools
- Try extensions like Unpaywall or Open Access Button
- Ask the author directly
- Use free trials or aggregator apps
If you found this guide useful, please share it responsibly!