If you have ever tried going incognito in your browser or cleared your cookies to keep reading free articles on a news site, you have likely encountered a cookie-based paywall. Cookie paywalls are common, but they are also easy to bypass.
What Is a Cookie-Based Paywall?
A cookie-based paywall stores the number of free articles a reader has viewed inside their browser cookies. When the limit is reached, the reader is shown a paywall message. Clearing cookies or using a different browser resets the count and gives the reader more free views.
Because it is so easy to work around, we define a cookie-based paywall as a soft paywall. Anyone with a little technical know-how can bypass it completely.
Why IP-Based Paywalls Are Stronger
Instead of relying on cookies, an IP-based paywall uses the reader’s IP address to count article views. This approach is more difficult to bypass, since clearing cookies or using incognito mode will not reset the article limit.
Example: Your site offers three free views per visitor. With a cookie-based paywall, clearing cookies resets the counter. With an IP-based paywall, the limit remains tied to the reader’s IP address — encouraging them to subscribe if they want to keep reading.
Are IP-Based Paywalls Foolproof?
No paywall technology is perfect. IP-based systems can be bypassed using a VPN or proxy. But readers who go to that length are unlikely to become paying subscribers anyway. For most publishers, an IP-based paywall is a significant upgrade that results in more paid conversions and subscription revenue.
Upgrade to a Smarter Paywall
Want to stop casual readers from bypassing your paywall and boost your subscription revenue? PaywallProject can help you implement a secure IP-based paywall today.Talk to Our Team
