Find out how to use Internet Archive Wayback Machine to remove paywall, to read articles without subscription.
This way of bypassing the website paywall is similar to the popular arching website, Archive.Today.
This method works only for sites that allow web crawlers to index their content.
Wayback Machine saves and stores archived versions of web pages.
This is another post from The DiGiztal Bypass Paywalls Tips series.
Wayback Machine to access articles for free
Now let's see how to use this tool to read paywalled articles for free.
This is what you do:
First check whether that particular article has been archived.
Go to Internet Archive Wayback Machine site.
Paste the blocked article URL into the box provided, and then press the "Enter" key.
If the article has been archived it, you click the snapshot link and the full article appears.
If it has not been archived, it would prompt you that it has not archived that URL.
Now you click "Save this URL in the Wayback Machine".
It goes to the Save Page Now page, click SAVE PAGE" button.
After it finished archiving, it tells you the snapshot of the page has captured.
Click the link to read the full article without paywall.
By the way, you can use this Wayback Machine method to access this 2023 premium article, "Understanding Paywall Bypass and Protecting Your Content" by Kathleen Greenler Sexton.
Here is the link: https://web.archive.org/web/20240418045600/https://subscriptioninsider.com/topics/business-strategy/understanding-paywall-bypass-and-protecting-your-content
NOTE: After you've clicked the link above, when you can see the article is loading, quickly press and hold on the "Esc" key for about 8 seconds.
If not, the article would disappear, and it would show you the subscription details.
You can also use the Wayback Machine JavaScript bookmarklet to get past paywalls.
This is the code:
javascript: window.open("https://web.archive.org/web/*/" + location.href, "_blank");
Find out how to create JavaScript bookmarklet from this guide how to use JavaScript bookmarklet to bypass paywalls.
NOTE: This method may not involve direct hacking or unauthorized access, it can still violate anti-circumvention laws and terms of service. Consider using the legal and ethical ways to access paywalled web articles.
RELATED TIPS:
How to disable JavaScript with DevTools to bypass paywall
Disable JavaScript with uBlock Origin to bypass paywall
DISCLAIMER: This post is for educational purposes only. It aims to help you better understand web technologies and digital security. It does not endorse breaking website rules or illegal activity. Use responsibly; the author is not liable for misuse or legal issues.