What Is Geoblocking? Getting Around Geo-Restrictions in 2024

What Is Geoblocking & What Is It Used for?

Geoblocking is the practice of restricting access to online content based on geographical location. Geoblocking systems (geofences) most often check your IP address and DNS provider to see where you are and decide which content to display or block. 

You’ll find many examples of this in your daily browsing, from your favorite shows on Netflix being exclusive to the U.S., to WhatsApp video calls being blocked in Saudi Arabia. The reasons why a website or ISP might implement geoblocking are varied and can include:

• Preventing conflicts with regional licensing of content: The most prominent examples of geoblocking are streaming services that restrict access to movies and shows based on the country you’re in. The most common reason why streaming sites use geoblocking is to honor distribution and licensing agreements. 
• Curating content for different countries or regions: Geoblocking is often used to offer local content — like K-dramas exclusive to South Korean Netflix — that might not have high demand in other countries.
• Reducing server loads for regional websites: Websites for local government are often restricted to the residents of that country or state. This is done to reduce operational costs for servers.
• Controlling pricing of products by country: The income of residents of different countries can vary widely, which is why large international companies offer different pricing for them, like YouTube Premium being much cheaper in Turkey than in the U.S.
• Restricting access to information: There are cases in countries with oppressive regimes where the government will deny access to social media sites to prevent rioters from organizing or to control the dissemination of undesired information.

Common Examples of Geoblocks

Here are some examples of websites and apps that are often geographically restricted or that implement geoblocking themselves:

How Does Geoblocking Work?

No two geoblocking systems are the same, but most of them utilize some combination of these four approaches:

• IP address: One of the most common ways to apply geoblocking is to look at your IP address — a number that is unique to your router. Your IP address can reveal your approximate location, which can let websites stop you from accessing content or present you with content made for your region. VPNs are effective at bypassing these kinds of geoblocks because they change your IP address.
• DNS server: Another way to restrict content to a geographic location is to check whether you’re using a DNS server from that location. Many streaming services use this method, which is why smart DNS services can unblock Netflix and similar streaming services. 
• Browser cookies and fingerprint: Your browser cookies and fingerprint can also hold location data, so some websites use those to bolster their geofences. If a VPN isn’t able to unblock content, wiping your browser cookies and opening the site in a private window might solve the issue.
• GPS location data: Mobile apps can also use your GPS location information to apply geographic restrictions. The only way to get past this is to use a GPS spoofer.

Keep in mind that most websites don’t bother with the more aggressive methods of location identification. 

For example, Netflix won’t experience any legal ramifications for letting a user from Europe access U.S. content as long as it makes a reasonable effort to block them via DNS and IP filtering. However, a gambling site might go out of business if it breaks a country’s gambling laws, so it might need to implement stricter geoblocking.

How to Access Geoblocked Content With a VPN

It’s easy to bypass geoblocking and access restricted content: All you have to do is use a VPN. Besides changing your IP address, VPNs can also change your DNS, which makes them the most effective method of bypassing geoblocks. 

VPNs have more benefits than just unblocking online content, though. They encrypt your connection, making it unintelligible to anyone but the websites you’re accessing, which makes your online activity much more difficult to track. 

Plus, VPNs often come with extra features like malware blockers, which further increase your online privacy. This is why they’re our preferred method for unblocking online content.

Here are three easy steps to follow to unblock any geo-restricted website.

1. Choose a VPN and Download It

   Choose the VPN you want to use. We suggest using ExpressVPN, but you can also check out our list of the best VPNs to make a more informed decision. Visit the provider’s website and download its app, or download it from your device’s app store if you’re on mobile.

   

2. Install the VPN App and Log In

   Follow the steps in the installation wizard to install the VPN app. Then, enter the login credentials for your account.

   

3. Connect to a VPN Server

   Open the VPN server list and scroll down (marked “1” in the image below) to find the country you want to connect to. Otherwise, use the search bar (marked “2”) to look for the country you need. Then, click the connection button (marked “3”).

   

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To unblock a website, connect to a server in a country where it isn’t blocked. If you want to unblock content from a specific country, connect to a server in that country. If you need to bypass government censorship, connect to a country other than the one where you’re located.

ExpressVPN — The Best VPN to Bypass Geoblocking

ExpressVPN is the best VPN we’ve reviewed, in no small part thanks to its excellent ability to get around geo-restrictions. It is a security powerhouse, offering all the essential security features, as well as advanced ones like blocking malicious sites, ads and trackers. It even comes with a password manager to keep your logins safe, further increasing your online security.

ExpressVPN is also one of the fastest VPNs, reaching impressive speeds in all our tests. This means you can stream shows and movies with no dips in quality. You can learn more about the VPN in our full ExpressVPN review, or try it out at no cost using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Alternative Ways to Bypass Geo-Restrictions

If you’ve tried using a VPN to unblock content and failed, we’d normally suggest trying a different VPN. The systems that prevent IP addresses from connecting can sometimes also block VPN users, and not all VPNs are good enough to bypass them. This is the case with the Netflix VPN ban, as well as with most other streaming platforms.

However, there are other ways to access content that’s been restricted, all with unique strengths and drawbacks. Here are some alternatives to VPNs that might help you unblock a website.

1. Proxy Servers

A proxy server will change your IP address, but there is one glaring weakness: It will not encrypt your traffic. This means that not only do you not get the protection and privacy of a VPN, but also that you’re putting your traffic in the hands of untrusted and potentially dangerous proxy services.

2. DNS & Smart DNS

Simply changing your DNS server to one in another country might be enough to unblock regional websites. However, a smart DNS service, which many VPNs offer, can be better at unblocking websites, as it deletes any identifying parts of your traffic. This makes smart DNS a good option for smart TVs and other devices that allow DNS switching but not VPN installation.

3. The Tor Network

Tor is a network of computers that you can use to encrypt and route your traffic through several nodes to hide it. This is similar to how a VPN works, though you have no control over where you’re connecting to. This makes it good for escaping censorship in your country, as you’ll likely connect to an end node outside of it, but it’s not as great for unblocking U.S. Netflix, for example.

Is Geoblocking Legal?

Not only is geoblocking legal, it is legally necessary in some cases. For example, a streaming service must uphold its legally binding distribution contracts and therefore must employ reasonable measures to ensure that only the intended users can access its licensed content. 

Another example is a government compelling ISPs to restrict access to social media. Though this example is morally abhorrent, it is not illegal.

Is It Legal to Access Geoblocked Content With a VPN?

It is generally legal to use a VPN to bypass geoblocking as long as VPNs are legal in the country. Geoblocking is usually the result of a service provider’s contractual obligation rather than an actual law. There are cases where bypassing geofencing is illegal, though. 

• Piracy: Though unblocking U.S. Netflix breaks your user agreement with the streaming service, it is not illegal. However, let’s say that Netflix is offering a free plan, but only for users in Germany. If you use a VPN to connect to a German server and get Netflix for free, you would be drifting into the realm of piracy, as you’re now impacting Netflix’s income. 
• Government-imposed geoblocks: It might also be illegal to bypass government-imposed geoblocks, such as accessing Western social media in China with a VPN.

Final Thoughts: What Is Geoblocking and How Does It Work?

Though geoblocks are usually in place for perfectly valid reasons, they can still be a nuisance. Thankfully, all you need to do to get past them is use a VPN to hide your IP address, change your DNS server and encrypt your traffic. We recommend using ExpressVPN, as it’s the best VPN for unblocking content.

That’s all for our guide on geoblocking. We hope you found it useful and informative. Have you ever used a VPN to unblock a website? Did it work on the first try? Have you used a proxy service instead? Let us know in the comments below. As always, thank you for reading.

FAQ: Geoblocking Guide

• What Is a Geoblock?

  A geoblock prevents you from accessing content based on your geographical location.

• Is Bypassing Geoblocking Legal?

  Bypassing geoblocking is perfectly legal in most cases. The only exceptions are when you’re bypassing the geofence to engage in illegal activity, like accessing paid content for free or illegal content.

• How Can I Avoid Geoblocks?

  To avoid geoblocks, all you have to do is install a VPN and connect to a server in a different country where the content you need isn’t blocked.

• Can I Bypass Geoblocks for Free?

  Yes, you can bypass geoblocks for free by using a free VPN like Proton VPN or by utilizing a money-back guarantee from a premium provider.

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