I feel like what I am about to reveal is illegal, but if I don’t say it, it doesn’t mean people will stop doing it. It is going to be done anyway, so here we go. Chrome Incognito Mode can get you past paywalls.
Yes, that is right! You can read content on paywalls without parting with a cent, if you know your Chrome browser in and out, and how to put its tweaks to good use. You know how when reading the first few articles on websites with paywalls is free. Then after a couple of reads, you get locked out by paywalls.
Well, if you try switching your browser to ‘private’ or ‘incognito’ mode, the website might not be able to tell if it is still you accessing its web pages. It will be like you are visiting the site for the first time, and since their initial couple of web pages can be accessed for free. You will continue reading pages behind paywalls for as long as you are browsing in ‘private’ or ‘incognito’ mode.
However, that trick is now getting old. As some websites have now found innovative ways to identify you even while you are on incognito mode. That means that trick may not work for all the sites all the time.
Chrome 75 Update
Google recently pushed out Chrome 75 update; that is something you might want to check on if you are still using an outdated version. As said earlier, some websites have become so good at tracking us even while we are on the incognito mode that the above-mentioned trick might not work for all sites all the time.
The same thing applied with Chrome 74, which you might probably be on right now if you haven’t updated your browser. However, with Chrome 75, it appears more leeway has opened up. Simply type chrome://flags in the address bar and hit the Enter key. Now search for the phrase filesystem and click on the Enabled option under the drop-down menu for the Filesystem API in Incognito.
Get the Paywall overkill with Chrome 76 beta
Once you have followed the steps above, you will sure know once you get past the paywall when you switch to incognito mode. If that impresses you, perhaps you should also try out Chrome 76 beta version to supercharge your way past the paywalls.
With Chrome 76, the Filesystem API tweak is activated by default. There is no doubt that publishers will work on new ways to overcome this new Chrome feature if they already don’t have them. However, in the meantime, you can enjoy the feature.
