The selection of movies on Netflix may be diverse, depending on which country you are in. Geo-blocking is the reason for these restrictions. The good news is there are ways to get around these blocked videos or websites. One way is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN masks your real location, so it looks like you are accessing the internet from another country.
Here’s how it works – you connect to a VPN server in a different country. To watch a show only available in the U.K., you would connect to a VPN server based in the U.K. Then it will seem like you are browsing the web and watching shows from the U.K., even though you are physically located in the U.S. Using a VPN lets you easily bypass the geo-blocking restrictions to monitor or access content blocked in your country. It allows you to enjoy entertainment from around the world without any hassle.
How to Bypass Geo-Blocking with a VPN – Quick Guide
You can easily bypass geo-blocks. The following steps will help you unblock websites:
- Choose a reliable VPN service to ensure a secure connection. You can get all of this and more with ExtremeVPN. Check out our pricing page to get started.
- Install the ExtremeVPN app carefully as per instructions.
- Open the app and sign in with your subscription credentials.
- Find an unrestricted server location for the site you want to visit by scrolling through the country list on the app interface.
- After you connect to the server, you can browse the website without any restrictions.
What is Geo-Blocking?
Some websites use location blocking. This means the website checks where you are accessing it from. You can’t use the site if you are in a country they block.
For example, you get the best Hulu content only in the US. If you try to watch Hulu while traveling in France, you’ll get an error message saying it’s unavailable. Websites, check your location using your IP address. You can’t access the site if your IP shows you are outside the allowed countries. Other companies, like TV networks, also use geo-blocking. You get blocked because of licensing rules. A website may only have the right to show videos in certain countries. Or your country’s laws prevent access. It’s frustrating when you want to use a website but get a message “Sorry, this service is unavailable in your region.” But geo-blocking stops you from accessing sites outside your location.
Examples of Geo-Blocking
Geo-blocking may be present on various online platforms. Let me provide you with some examples.
1. Spotify
Some countries ban Spotify, so you can’t listen at all. China, Pakistan, and Russia block Spotify. Even where Spotify is available, some songs or albums are restricted. Artists or labels make deals to limit music by country. For example, Taylor Swift’s label could make her album US-only on Tidal for a month. Then, Spotify users in the US couldn’t hear it. Music blocking happens because of label deals and contracts. VPNs can bypass some music restrictions so you can listen anywhere.
2. YouTube
Creators choose where videos are available. They block videos in certain regions. This means you can’t watch some videos based on your location. The creator stops you from viewing their content.
3. Hulu
This streaming platform is exclusive to US viewers. To watch shows while traveling abroad, you must unblock them.
4. Airbnb
Airbnb is popular for booking nice vacation rentals fast. However, Airbnb is banned in some countries by their laws. If you want to book an Airbnb in a country where it is blocked, you need to unblock the site first. Then, you can use Airbnb to book great vacation rentals anywhere.
5. Live Sports
You’re excited about a game night with your favorite team. But you can’t watch it because they block the game in your area. Sports events give exclusive broadcast rights to certain companies. This limits who can air the games by region.
If a match is unavailable where you are, the only way to watch it is to unblock the platform broadcasting it. Then, you can enjoy the game no matter where you’re located.
6. PornHub
Like YouTube, adult creators on PornHub can restrict their videos in certain countries. However, people in countries like Pakistan and Egypt will have to find a way to unblock PornHub if they want to access and use the platform.
7. Pandora
Using Pandora’s music and radio service while vacationing outside the United States is impossible, as they block the platform in other countries.
Why Do Some Sites Have Geo-Restrictions?
After encountering geo-restrictions, you may question the reason behind such blocks. There are various causes for this occurrence.
Copyright and Licensing Agreements
Why are certain shows available on streaming platforms in some countries but not others? It all comes down to licensing deals and dollars and cents. Before any streaming site can host a TV show or movie, they must negotiate with the content owner for distribution rights. These deals decide which regions get access. The streaming platform analyzes each country to determine potential profitability. They look at factors like audience size, spending power, and more. The platform won’t pay for streaming rights there if the numbers don’t add up for a particular region.
This means viewers in less lucrative markets get geo-blocked from the content. Even if you’re a super fan of a show, you can’t watch it legally without the licensing agreement in place for your country. It’s an unfortunate reality of today’s fragmented, geo-fenced streaming landscape. Profit rules all. Media companies parcel out content region by region to maximize their earnings.
So, the next time you land on the dreaded “This show is unavailable in your location” notice, know that it’s because it did not seem your country worthwhile for the streaming site. It’s a lousy way to decide who gets access! But until the model changes, geo-blocks are here to stay.
Blocking Malicious Users
The internet can be unsafe due to hackers in certain locations. So, websites use geo-IP filters to block high-risk countries. Places like China, Russia, and Nigeria get secured a lot.
That’s because many hacking attacks come from IP addresses in those countries. Websites that have business in high-risk countries will stop them. For example, a local shopping site blocks foreign IP addresses to reduce hacking risk.
You won’t get in if you try to access a site from a blocked country IP. Geo-IP filtering stops users from high-risk places to improve safety. But it also blocks innocent users just trying to browse the web.
Online Gambling Laws
To operate legally, gambling sites like online casinos and betting platforms need to get licensed in each country they serve. National gambling commissions set rules and regulations to protect consumers.
For example, if a poker site wants to take bets from the UK, it must first obtain a license from the UK Gambling Commission. This ensures that British players are safe and treated fairly. However, getting approved in every potential country is arduous and expensive. So, some gambling sites only get licensed in certain lucrative markets. They then geo-block countries where they don’t hold a license to avoid legal troubles.
This limits options for players in underserved markets, though. Just because a gambling site isn’t licensed in your country doesn’t mean you should lose access. But that’s the reality today. Licensing is important for making the online gambling industry safer and regulated. But the current complex web of country-by-country rules also encourages geo-blocking. There’s got to be a better way to uphold standards while still giving players more options. But until then, legal gambling remains frustratingly fractured.
Price Discrimination
Platforms charge different prices based on the country. They adjust pricing by location. Streaming and shopping sites do this. They charge higher prices in wealthier countries. And lower prices in poorer countries. As a result, they maximize profit across different markets. However, some buyers pay unfair costs because of their location. Sites geo-block to enforce country pricing differences. This stops buyers from accessing cheaper stores meant for other regions.
Identity Confirmation
Apps sometimes make you confirm your identity when logging in from new locations. This is to ensure you are accessing the account. Social media, banking, and other sites do this for added security against hackers. Your IP address shows your location when browsing.
If you log in somewhere new, your IP changes. It triggers the extra verification process. You’ll get a code by text or email to enter. This confirms it’s you logging in, not someone else in a different place. Location authentication helps protect your accounts from outsiders. Though extra steps can be annoying, they benefit safety.
How Can a Site Geo-Block You?
Geoblocking often occurs when a platform blocks based on your IP address. Your IP address reveals information about your location.
Here’s How it Works
- Your internet-connected device has an IP address provided by your ISP. These websites and online services can determine your location, device type, and internet activity.
- Websites can use your IP address to determine your location and deliver the desired content.
- A program on the server is used to check your connection and make an educated guess about your location.
- The website blocks access if you try to visit from a restricted location.
Remember that your IP address changes automatically when you travel to another country. For instance, if you visit Germany from the US, you can only view content available in Germany, as you will have a German IP address.
How Can You Bypass Geo-Blocking?
VPNs let you bypass geo-blocking by masking your actual location. Proxies and IP spoofing also fake your location to access blocked content. Be sure to use secure methods. There are ways around geo-restrictions if you want to access region-locked sites.
1. Use a VPN
Do you want to get around those pesky geo-restrictions stopping you from accessing content? A VPN is one of the most effective solutions. VPNs work by masking your proper IP address with one from a different country. Connect to a VPN server outside your blocked region, and sites will think you’re browsing from elsewhere. Instantly bypass geographic locks!
On top of circumventing geo-blocks, VPNs also encrypt your data and hide your online activities for improved privacy and security. You can browse safely on public Wi-Fi without worrying about snoops stealing your info.
Finding a good VPN is easy these days, and many options are budget-friendly. Top providers offer user-friendly apps for all your devices – smartphones, laptops, tablets, and even smart TVs.
For example, ExtremeVPN works across Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, and more. You can also install it on your router for location-free browsing on gaming consoles and smart TVs. With thousands of global servers, geo-blocking doesn’t stand a chance! Take control of your digital borders with a reliable VPN. Say goodbye to geographic restrictions and enjoy an open internet experience.
2. Use a Proxy Server
A proxy server is an intermediary between your device and the websites you visit. Your IP address shows your actual location when connecting directly to sites. However, proxy servers have unique IP addresses tied to their geographic location. By routing your traffic through a proxy server, you take on its unique IP address instead of your identifiable one.
This can trick geo-blocking systems into thinking you are browsing from the proxy server’s location, thus granting access to restricted content. Although less secure than VPNs, proxy servers present an alternative solution for bypassing geo-restrictions. If you want to try accessing blocked content via proxy, ExtremeVPN offers proxy servers you can utilize to mask your location despite the risks.
3. Use a Smart DNS
The Domain Name System (DNS) converts website names into IP addresses like a phonebook. DNS provides sites with your location when you visit. Smart DNS or DNS changed tools can mask your real DNS and assign a different one. This can trick sites into thinking you are in another region to bypass geo-blocks. Although not as robust as a VPN or proxy, spoofing your DNS can be an alternative method to hide your location and skirt geo-restrictions.
4. Use Tor Browser
Tor is a privacy-focused web browser that allows anonymous browsing by masking your IP address. It routes communications through a network of relay servers to hide your location. This enables accessing geo-restricted sites without revealing where you are. Tor is especially useful for opening onion sites that end in .onion, which are only accessible through the Tor network.
Are Geo-Blocks Legal?
Yes, websites can legally block certain countries. Streaming and gambling sites often do this because of licenses and contracts. However, some types of blocking are controversial. For example, the European Union said geo-blocking discriminates against EU countries buying from each other. So, they made a rule allowing EU shoppers to purchase goods from anywhere in the EU, regardless of location. With social media like Facebook and YouTube, each country decides what to allow. China famously blocks many Western platforms.
Overall, reasonable geo-blocking is usually legal. But if the blocking seems arbitrary or unfair, some see it as against internet freedom. The legality comes down to each country’s rules. Companies want to limit access, while people want to view content globally. Geo-blocking laws remain complicated.
What Does Geo-fencing Mean?
Geo-blocking and geo-fencing are location-based technologies that often get confused but are quite different. Let’s break down what each one does. Geo-blocking restricts access to online content based on your geographic location. It prevents you from watching some shows or using certain sites abroad. Geo-blocks create a virtual border that blocks out certain regions. On the other hand, geo-fencing uses your real-time GPS location to trigger predefined actions when you enter or exit a set of virtual boundaries. For example, a social media app might show local events in a geo-fenced area. Or a shipping company may use geo-fencing to alert you when a delivery crosses state lines. Retailers can also geo-fence store locations to send coupons to nearby shoppers.
So geo-blocking builds walls to keep people out based on location. Geo-fencing creates boundaries that enable location-based experiences and targeted outreach. Both rely on your geographic data, but geo-fencing is more interactive than geo-blocking’s hard restrictions. It’s an easy mistake to mix up the two. But now that you know the nuanced differences, you can better discuss and understand these ubiquitous location-tracking tools. Just remember geo-blocking restricts while geo-fencing interacts!
Conclusion
Geo-blocking is like an invisible wall that stops you from accessing sites based on location. It’s frustrating when you can’t watch a show or use a blocked platform where you live. Luckily, there are ways to bulldoze through geo-blocks. A trustworthy option is a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN hides your actual location so you can bypass geo-restrictions. It lets you access blocked sites and content from anywhere. You can start using a VPN like ExtremeVPN today. Then, you can say goodbye to geo-block frustrations and enjoy the open internet.
FAQs
What can geo-blocking do?
A location-based website blocker prevents access to certain web services. The website or government can impose it, limiting your access to content.
Is bypassing geo-blocking illegal?
It depends on your country’s laws and the website’s terms of whether connecting to a service is legal. Geo-blocking circumvention is illegal if you access forbidden content, but it may violate terms even if it’s not illegal.
How can I defeat geo-blocking?
Use ExtremeVPN to bypass geo-restrictions. Connect to a server where the site is not blocked to change your virtual location and easily access the site automatically.
Can I use a free VPN to bypass geo-blocking?
Free VPNs can help access restricted content, but they’re often unreliable and have limited capacity. Sites can easily block them, causing slow speed and frustration, especially when streaming.