How to Access Geo-Blocked Content?

How to access geo-blocked content

Not being able to access something because of where you live is one of the most frustrating things on the internet. Unfortunately, it is far too common in the modern world. Not only is there certain content that you cannot access, but there is also content which is restricted, as in you do not get access to the full content due to your region.

We will take you through some of the reasons why content is geo-blocked. After that, we will also tell you how to go around it and provide you with a few different applications which are great for moving around various geo-blocks that exist.

Why is content geo-blocked

There can be many reasons for the geo-blocking of content. For example, Netflix localizes its library due to the copyright licensing and the extreme amount of fees it would cost to have all of its content available everywhere.

Other services block content due to not being able to generate revenue streams from certain countries. A perfect example of this is the BBC iPlayer. Due to the fact that the BBC is hosted in the UK and that is from where pretty much all of their revenue comes, they do not need to allow people from other countries access to their content since they will lose money due to the bandwidth required.

Numerous other services might be blocked in different regions too. This can be a hassle if you are travelling since you will not be able to access content on the web, despite being able to when you are at home.

Despite all of this, there are ways through which you can access geo-blocked content with ease. One of them is through the use of a VPN, which we will guide you on.

Using NordVPN to access geo-blocked content

NordVPN is a Virtual Private Network. A Virtual Private Network tunnels your traffic through a server located in a country of your choice, thus making sure that the server you are connected to believes you to be from the aforementioned country.

Virtual Private Network

The problem is that most services are quite adept at detecting when you are connected from a VPN and are easily able to block VPNs from connecting to their services. Numerous services do this, and none of them is more famous than Netflix.

There are only a few VPNs which can connect to Netflix with ease, and let’s take a look at how NordVPN does it.

How connects to Netflix

NordVPN has some of the best security around and they have managed to find a workaround which guarantees you access to all of the major Netflix content countries such as the US, UK, and Japan.

In fact, NordVPN has a dedicated guide which takes you through all of the steps of connecting to the service in a region of your choice. It also has some handy troubleshooting tips if you are unable to connect to Netflix for one reason or the other.

Other VPNs you can use

NordVPNExpress VPN

NordVPN is not the only reliable option when it comes to accessing geo-blocked content (although it is one of the best). One of the most well-known VPNs which is also great at accessing everything that is locked is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN has much better speeds when compared to Nord (best speed in the industry) but it is also much more expensive.

There are numerous other VPNs too which you can try such as CyberGhost and TorGuard. Both of them have stellar reputations along with many different servers which are great at unlocking everything from Netflix to Hulu. Just make sure that you read some reviews of the VPN that you eventually select in order to make sure it can unlock the service you want to access.

Other uses of a VPN

Remember that a VPN can also a lot more. For example, VPNs encrypt all of your traffic and make sure that you enjoy an online experience that is both private as well as secure. Considering recent scandals such as the one revolving around Cambridge Analytica, it is a safe bet to have all your internet traffic going through a VPN.

A VPN can also allow you to torrent safely. Most of the leading VPNs have dedicated P2P and dedicated streaming servers which can be used to enjoy high-speeds on their intended purpose. Lastly, VPNs make sure that you do not experience any DNS or IP leaks which can cause sensitive data to be intercepted by people with malicious intent.

Conclusion

Geo-blocking is definitely a problem. Luckily, it is a problem which has an easy solution. Just remember that you choose a VPN that is not only great in functionality but also trusted.

There have been many different shoddy VPN companies that have tried to harvest user data and steal their passwords. If you want to stay safe, then it is best to use one of the recommended VPNs mentioned above.