Is it worth it to use a VPN to access the geo-restricted content on Netflix?

There is no doubt that Netflix is ruling over the streaming arena. Whether you are in the mood for a comedy or horror, rom-com or thriller, Netflix is your first streaming choice due to the sheer number of titles available at a single click. Enjoying any type of content anywhere is what makes Netflix one of the best streaming services available to streamers.

With the ever-increasing hype of Netflix, you should know all the tricks related to accessing unlimited Netflix content. Though geo-restriction is a nuisance all of us have to face, when it comes to answering how to get American Netflix in UK or any other country, a VPN is the ultimate solution. VPN can not only help you protect yourself when online, but it can also bring an oomph factor to your Netflix streaming experience.

What is Geo Restriction?

The concept of geo-restriction is not foreign to avid streamers. Though we agree that Netflix is better than Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, they all follow the practice of geo-restriction.

Simply put, geo-restriction is the barrier streaming hubs use to control what the user are watching. If you are located in the US, you can access Netflix US and stream the shows approved for this specific region. The same goes for other regions, including UK, Canada, Australia, or any others.

Your IP address plays a vital role in selecting the available content as it is your online identity. Netflix uses your IP address to figure out your current location, and the content selection is based on the availability of the shows in your region.

Why Netflix Implement Geo Restriction Barrier?

Though Netflix can profit from streaming uniform content on all Netflix libraries, copyright laws and licensing agreements to make it impossible for Netflix to do so. As the streaming rights are granted to different companies in different countries, Netflix cannot acquire the streaming rights of every show and movie. For instance, Twin Peaks is available on American Netflix, but streaming rights are granted to a different platform in the UK.

“Netflix Originals are the shows produced by Netflix. As the streaming company owns the absolute right of the show, they are available on all Netflix libraries.”

As Netflix is operating in over 150 countries, it has to follow the copyright laws of each country to prevent the possibility of a lawsuit for beaching it. Sometimes the cost of the licensing agreement is high, and Netflix does deem the show worthy of that much money.

How Does a VPN work?

Virtual Private Network or a VPN is considered one of the most secure approaches to transfer data. It is an intermittent service that receives the data and relays it to the destination while encrypting it for protection, but that not all a VPN does.  As VPN reroute your internet traffic and change your IP address, it is commonly used to bypass the geo-restriction barrier of streaming sites, including Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, etc.

Can a VPN bypass Netflix’s Geo Restriction?

As a VPN works by changing your IP address by rerouting your internet traffic, it is safe to say that it can easily bypass Netflix’s geo-restriction. But this statement is not valid for all the VPNs. Though various VPN service provider claims that their product can unblock Netflix, it is not the case. Some of the VPNs that actually work with Netflix include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, PureVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), and CyberGhost.

The majority of the premium VPN services offer a 30-days free trial, so you can check out the services mentioned above and decide which one works for you the best. Though various free VPN services also boast that they can unblock foreign Netflix libraries, their servers are easily identified and banned by Netflix. You have to test each service individually for its ability to unblock foreign Netflix libraries.

Closing

When it comes to enjoying everything, Netflix has to offer without the restriction of your location, a VPN can be your best friend, but it does not mean that any VPN will work with Netflix. As Netflix’s anti-VPN software is advanced, they can identify most VPN services, especially the free ones.

Subscribing to a premium VPN service is a one-time investment that can help you save money in the longer run. Imagine enjoying your favorite shows on a single platform and not paying for other streaming services. Connecting to a VPN server and changing your location is the foolproof method to enjoy everything on Netflix.

A word of advice is needed here, don’t go for the free VPN services as most of their servers are already identified and blocked by Netflix. Invest in premium VPN service and enjoy Netflix to your heart’s content.

 

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