How to read Paywalled News Articles?

How to read Paywalled News Articles? Accessing paid newspapers is not for everyone, as subscribing to such newspaper editions can be pricey. That does not mean you do not support good journalism and worthy journalists.

Paywalled news articles are an income source for journalists, but it is also hefty on the reader’s pockets. So if you are not ready to pay and commit to such an expensive deal, especially just for reading the news, here are some ways.

Reading paywalled articles without getting a subscription is not a digital crime, or you may not be breaking any rules, so do not worry, as there are certain ethical ways to access such news articles, which make reading paywalled articles without subscribing a legitimate act.

How to read Paywalled News Articles? – 5 ways

Here are ways that may allow you to read paywalled articles without being illegitimate.

1. Accessing articles through the local library

Certain local libraries may have subscriptions to paywalled newspaper subscriptions. So, depending upon which publication they have subscribed to, an unlimited supply of news articles is available to you just by simply signing in. This is a pretty legitimate way, yet you may not be breaking any rules, too.

The only little expense or effort you may have to make is to get a library card along with an online account to get access to the library website. Certain Public University libraries would also have subscriptions to major publications like The Economist or Ney York Times.

2. Try reading in Incognito Mode

This is an easy way to get around a soft paywall article. Private browsing may allow you to bypass certain paywalled newspaper articles, as it prevents the news sites from storing cookies on your devices that you may be accessing through. It is available in almost all types of web browsers that including Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera.

To access incognito mode on various devices, here are the steps,

• For a web browser on a computer or a laptop with Windows OS, press → Ctrl + Shift + N

• For a web browser on a computer or a laptop with macOS, press → Command + Shift + N

• For a Chrome browser on an Android phone or an iPhone → Open three dots at the top right or bottom right corner and select New Incognito tab.

• For a Safari browser on an iPhone/iPad → Tap the two overlapping squares (Tabs button) at the bottom right corner → select Private and this switches to incognito mode.

3. Try pasting the headlines into Google

If you try searching the news headlines on the Google web browser, then based on the website, opening the news link may provide you a direct access to the news article. A direct access from the link can do this. But if the paywall still does not allow, try opening the link in an incognito mode or a private browsing window.

4. Try Reader Mode

What is a Reader Mode?

A reader mode is a reading feature that blocks or hides ads that pop up continuously and provides readers with a good reading experience. But sometimes, when the paywalled site is accessed through the reader mode, it may open up in the reader mode, relieving the paywall features of the newly published news articles.

This completely depends on the news site you may be accessing. Though this feature is available for all web browsers, including Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge, the probability of reader mode stripping off the paywall features may be lower. It is a shot worth trying, as you never know, you may get access to the news articles even without paying. Thus, trying the reader mode is worth your time and effort.

5. Checking the Social Media Shares

If you wish to go through the highlights or headlines from the news articles, journalists and publishing houses do post the gist of recent events and new works on social media platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Sometimes you may also find links to the articles, which may allow free access. So this is also a legitimate way to access paywalled news articles.

In Conclusion

Reading paywalled articles without getting a subscription is not a digital crime, or you may not be breaking any rules, so do not worry, as the above-mentioned ways are ethical ways for accessing such news articles, which makes reading paywalled articles without subscribing a legitimate act.