5 Ways to Read Paywalled Articles for Free

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Are you tired of encountering paywalls that prevent you from accessing informative articles? Don’t despair! There are ingenious ways to circumvent these barriers and unlock the wealth of knowledge hidden behind them. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll reveal the secrets to reading paywalled articles without breaking the bank or compromising your ethics. Whether you’re a curious reader, a diligent researcher, or simply someone seeking knowledge, this guide will empower you to access the information you need without sacrificing your financial well-being.

The internet has become a vast ocean of information, but unfortunately, not all of it is freely accessible. Many reputable news organizations, academic journals, and specialized websites have implemented paywalls to protect their content from unauthorized use and generate revenue. While these paywalls ensure that creators are fairly compensated for their work, they can also pose an obstacle for those who rely on these resources for education, research, or personal enrichment. However, there are a variety of legitimate methods to bypass these paywalls and gain access to the information you seek.

First and foremost, it’s important to avoid using illegal or unethical means to access paywalled articles. Respecting intellectual property rights is paramount, and there are plenty of honorable ways to obtain the information you need without resorting to piracy. Additionally, be wary of websites or extensions that promise to unlock paywalled articles for a fee. Many of these services are unreliable and may compromise your privacy or security. Instead, focus on exploring the legitimate methods outlined in this guide to ensure that your reading experience is both ethical and enjoyable.

Understanding Paywalled Content

Paywalled content refers to online articles or other media that are restricted to paid subscribers or members. Paywalls are implemented by different types of websites, including news outlets, academic journals, and multimedia platforms. Accessing paywalled content typically requires a subscription or one-time payment to unlock the article.

Purpose of Paywalls

There are several reasons why websites implement paywalls:

Monetization: Paywalls allow websites to generate revenue from their content, which can help support journalism and fund operations.
Quality Control: Paywalls can help websites ensure that their content is of high quality by limiting access to paid subscribers who are willing to invest in reputable journalism.
Content Exclusivity: Paywalls grant subscribers exclusive access to premium content, such as in-depth analysis, investigative reporting, or expert insights.
Control Over Distribution: Paywalls prevent unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material and protect the intellectual property rights of the website and its writers.

Types of Paywalls

There are several different types of paywalls that websites use:

Paywall Type	Description
Hard Paywall	Denies access to all content without a subscription.
Metered Paywall	Allows a limited number of free articles per month or period.
Freemium Paywall	Offers a basic level of free content with limited access to premium content for paid subscribers.
Dynamic Paywall	Uses algorithms to customize the paywall experience based on factors such as the user’s browsing behavior or subscription history.

Identifying Free Article Sources

Hidden in Plain Sight: Free Article Websites

There are websites dedicated to providing free access to articles that are typically paywalled. Here’s a table listing some popular options:

Website	Description
Google Scholar	Academic search engine with free full-text access to many journal articles and conference papers.
JSTOR	Digital library with a vast collection of scholarly journals and other academic content. Offers limited free access.
Academia	Platform for researchers to share their work. Many articles are freely available as preprints or final versions.

Chrome Extensions: Bypass Paywalls With Ease

Chrome extensions offer a convenient way to bypass paywalls without manually searching for free sources. Here are a few popular options:

Bypass Paywalls Clean: Automatically unlocks paywalled articles on many news websites.
Unpaywall: Similar to Bypass Paywalls Clean, but includes a database of free-to-read journal articles.
Sci-Hub: Specifically designed to unlock paywalled research papers and academic articles.

Simply install the extension in your Chrome browser and start browsing paywalled articles. These extensions typically use advanced techniques like identifying alternative article URLs or exploiting website loopholes to grant free access.

Using Browser Extensions

Browser extensions are a convenient way to unlock paywalled articles without having to resort to risky or time-consuming methods. Here are a few popular browser extensions that can help you bypass paywalls:

Bypass Paywalls – Clean

As the name suggests, Bypass Paywalls – Clean is a simple and effective extension that allows you to access paywalled content with just a few clicks. It uses a combination of methods, including cached search results and proxy services, to unlock articles from a wide range of websites.

Unpaywall

Unpaywall is a more comprehensive solution that not only bypasses paywalls but also provides access to academic papers, preprints, and other research materials. It works by searching for free and publicly available versions of articles, and then displaying them directly in your browser.

Open Access Button

The Open Access Button is a browser extension that adds a handy button to your toolbar. When you visit a paywalled article, simply click the button to access a free and open version, if available. It works with a database of millions of open access articles, ensuring you can find the information you need quickly and easily.

Bypassing Paywalls with Services

Numerous online services and browser extensions exist to circumvent paywalled articles.

1. Outline

Outline provides a summary of the article’s key points, giving you a quick overview without accessing the full text.

2. 12ft Ladder

12ft Ladder is a browser extension that removes paywalls from many popular news sites, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

3. Bypass Paywalls Clean

Bypass Paywalls Clean is another browser extension that offers a simple and effective way to bypass paywalls. Simply install the extension, and it will automatically remove paywalls from supported sites.

4. Incognito Mode

Many news websites offer a limited number of free articles per month. To bypass this restriction, open an incognito window in your browser. This will create a new browsing session that is not tied to your account, allowing you to access additional free articles.

Benefits	Drawbacks
Easy to use No need for additional software or extensions	Limited number of free articles per month May not work on all news websites

Using Social Media to Access Articles

Social media platforms often provide summaries or snippets of paywalled articles, which can give you a good sense of the content without having to subscribe. Sometimes, people may share the full text of articles on their social media pages. Here are some specific ways to use social media to access paywalled articles:

1. Follow Journalists on Twitter

Many journalists share links to their articles on Twitter, even if they are behind a paywall. If you follow journalists who cover topics you’re interested in, you can often find free access to paywalled articles.

2. Join Facebook Groups

There are many Facebook groups dedicated to sharing paywalled articles. These groups are often moderated by journalists or other individuals who have access to paid subscriptions. By joining these groups, you can gain access to a wide range of paywalled content.

3. Use Browser Extensions

There are several browser extensions that can help you access paywalled articles on social media. These extensions typically work by removing the paywall or providing you with a link to a free version of the article.

4. Share Articles with Friends

If you find a paywalled article that you want to read, you can try sharing it with a friend who has a subscription. They may be willing to share their login credentials with you so you can read the article.

5. Use the Wayback Machine

The Wayback Machine is a non-profit organization that archives websites and web pages. Sometimes, the Wayback Machine has archived versions of paywalled articles that are accessible for free. To check if the Wayback Machine has archived a particular article, simply enter the URL of the article into the Wayback Machine’s search bar.

| Step | How-to |
|—|—|
| 1 | Go to the Wayback Machine website. |
| 2 | Enter the URL of the article you want to read into the search bar. |
| 3 | Click the “Browse History” button. |
| 4 | Select a date from the calendar to view a previous version of the article. |
| 5 | If the article is available, it will be displayed on the screen. |

Utilizing Public Libraries

Public libraries offer a wide range of resources, including access to paywalled articles. Here are the steps to access these articles through public libraries:

1. Get a Library Card

Obtain a free library card from your local public library. This card will grant you access to library resources, including online databases.

2. Find Your Library’s Database

Public libraries typically subscribe to a variety of online databases that contain paywalled articles. Search for these databases on your library’s website or ask a librarian for assistance.

3. Access the Database

Log in to the database using your library card number and PIN. You may also need to use a special proxy server provided by your library.

4. Search for the Article

Use the database’s search bar to find the paywalled article you want to read. Enter the title, author, or keywords related to the article.

5. Access the Full Article

Once you find the article, click on the “Full Text” or “PDF” link to access the full text. If you encounter a paywall, you should be able to bypass it using your library’s subscription.

6. Printing and Saving Articles

Most databases allow you to print, save, or email paywalled articles. Visit the library’s website or contact a librarian to learn about the specific policies and limitations.

Exploring Tor Browser

Tor Browser is a free and open-source software that enables anonymous web browsing by directing users’ traffic through a network of volunteer relays. This makes it an effective tool for accessing paywalled articles, as it allows users to bypass content restrictions.

To use Tor Browser for this purpose, follow these steps:

Download and install Tor Browser from the official website.

Open Tor Browser and navigate to the paywalled article.

Wait for the page to load.

Use the Tor Browser’s settings to configure the desired privacy and security level.

Activate Tor Browser’s “NoScript” extension to block potentially malicious scripts.

Refresh the paywalled article’s page.

In the “Tor Browser” menu, click on the “Circuit” tab.

Under “Exit Nodes”, select “New Tor Circuit for this Site”.

Refresh the paywalled article’s page again.

10.

The article should now be accessible.

Additional Tips

Use Tor Browser in private browsing mode.

Disable browser extensions that may compromise privacy.

Consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for additional privacy and security.

Checking Google Cache

Google Cache is a service that stores cached versions of web pages. This allows you to access cached versions of paywalled articles, even if you can’t access the original URL. To check if Google has cached a version of the article you want to read, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Search.

2. Enter the URL of the article you want to read into the search bar.

3. Click the down arrow next to the search bar.

4. Select **Cached** from the drop-down menu.

5. Google will display a cached version of the article if it is available. Note that some websites may prevent Google from caching their content.

Using a Browser Extension

Several browser extensions allow you to bypass paywalls. These extensions typically work by injecting JavaScript code into the web page that removes the paywall. Some popular browser extensions for bypassing paywalls include:

Extension	Browser
Bypass Paywalls Clean	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
12ft Ladder	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Reader Mode	Chrome, Safari

Researching Academic Databases

Researching academic databases is a crucial step in accessing paywalled articles. Here’s a detailed guide to navigating academic databases:

1. Identify Relevant Databases:

Start by identifying academic databases relevant to your field of study. Consider databases such as JSTOR, PubMed, and Web of Science.

2. Browse and Search:

Use the databases’ search tools to find relevant articles. Browse by subject, author, or keyword. Refine your search using filters like date range or language.

3. Check for Availability:

Once you’ve found an article, check if it’s available through your institution’s subscription. If not, explore other options like interlibrary loan or open access websites.

4. Try Different Formats:

If you can’t access the full text, try requesting different formats. Some databases offer abstracts, summaries, or citation information.

5. Use University Proxy:

Connect to your university’s proxy server to gain access to articles that are restricted to campus networks.

6. Utilize VPNs:

If you’re not on campus, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to access articles through your university’s network.

7. Check for Institutional Repositories:

Institutional repositories often host open access versions of articles published by researchers at the institution.

8. Explore Unpaywall and Open Access Button:

Unpaywall and the Open Access Button are browser extensions that automatically detect and provide open access versions of articles.

9. Journal and Author Websites:

Some journals and authors make their articles available on their websites, even if they’re paywalled elsewhere.

Database	Coverage	Features
JSTOR	Humanities and social sciences	Full-text access to journals and digitized books
PubMed	Biomedical and health sciences	Medical abstracts and references
Web of Science	All disciplines	Cross-disciplinary search, citation analysis

Ethical Considerations

It is essential to consider the ethical implications before accessing paywalled articles through unauthorized methods.

1. Violation of Copyright Laws

Unauthorized access to paywalled content violates copyright laws, which protect the intellectual property rights of authors and publishers.

2. Loss of Revenue for Journalists and Publishers

Paywalls are a legitimate way for journalists and publishers to generate revenue and support their work. Circumventing paywalls deprives them of their rightful earnings.

3. Undervaluing of Journalism

By accessing paywalled content for free, we send the message that journalism is not valuable and should not be supported.

4. Spread of Misinformation

Unauthorized access to paywalled content may promote the spread of misinformation, as it circumvents the editorial review process.

5. Erosion of Trust

Unauthorized access to paywalled content erodes trust in journalists and publishers, making it harder for them to produce quality content.

6. Unfair Advantage

Those who gain unauthorized access to paywalled content have an unfair advantage over those who pay for it, as they can use the information for financial gain or other purposes.

7. Lack of Accountability

Unauthorized access to paywalled content removes the incentive for authors and publishers to be accountable for the accuracy and quality of their work.

8. Support for Unethical Practices

Accessing paywalled content through unauthorized methods supports unethical practices that undermine the integrity of journalism.

9. Risk of Legal Consequences

In some jurisdictions, accessing paywalled content through unauthorized means may have legal consequences, such as fines or imprisonment.

10. Encourage Subscription Models

Instead of bypassing paywalls, consider supporting journalism by subscribing to reputable news organizations. This helps ensure the long-term sustainability of quality journalism.

How To Read Paywalled Articles

There are a few ways to read paywalled articles without paying for a subscription. One way is to use a search engine like Google Scholar or JSTOR to find free versions of the article. Another way is to use a library database, which may have access to the article you want to read. Finally, you can try using a browser extension like Bypass Paywalls Clean or Outline to bypass the paywall and access the article.