Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. Hideandseek.online does not in any way or form condone nor encourage the use of VPNs as a means of violating copyright or other laws.
Getting access to YouTube videos blocked in your location is easy with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). All you need to do is decide which VPN service provider you need and sign up for an account with it.
YouTube is generally considered free to use and most of its content can be accessed by everyone. However, if content meets some criteria, the system allows the video owners to block it from being accessed in some countries.
While this isn’t all that common – it does happen. Can you imagine how frustrating it will be when you finally find that video you’ve been looking for and can’t access it just because you’re in the wrong country?
Accessing All YouTube Content Using VPN
Using a VPN to unblock YouTube videos is a simple process and will take up just a few minutes of your time.
1 . Choose the Right VPN for YouTube
Although all VPNs will likely work for this, to overcome geo-blocks you need a VPN with servers in the right country. Since it can be hard to tell where that might eventually be, look for a VPN service that has as large a network as you can find.
One good example of this is NordVPN, which has over 5,476 in 59 countries, along with an excellent reputation to match. Another excellent choice is CyberGhost that has 7,100 servers in over 90 countries.
2. Sign Up for the Service
Signing up for a VPN service is as easy as signing up for anything else online. Visit the site, choose the plan you want, then pay for the service.
Most VPN plans offer bigger discounts the longer a period you sign on for.
3. Download and Install the VPN App You Need
Most VPNs will have different applications intended for different platforms. For example, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more. Download the one you need then install it like you would any other app.
You don’t necessarily need to download the full app in some cases if you don’t want to. Since YouTube can be accessed via desktop browsers, you can also make use of a VPN browser extension if the service you’ve chosen has one.
4. Sign in and Start Using It
Once you’ve installed the app, launch it to start using the VPN. Most of them will work right out of the box with minimal configuration needs. The main thing you need to do is choose the right server location to access the YouTube video you want.
For example, if the video is only accessible to US residents, then choose a VPN server in the US. If you’re unsure, just skip around a few servers in various countries to see what works – something will, eventually.
VPNs Work for YouTube TV as Well
YouTube made its own streaming TV service (called YouTube TV, of course) available a few years ago and as of now it remains only available to US residents. It’s like cable, but hopped on steroids and at very competitive prices – for a service of this scope.
Sadly, that makes the rest of us around the world simply out of luck – unless you’re using a VPN service. If you intend to sign up for this, I recommend that you opt for a more reputable VPN brand since they will try harder to block you from access, like Netflix.
Why Some YouTube Videos Are Blocked?
Despite it being a channel originally dedicated to user-created content, YouTube has changed a fair bit over the years. Now even official publishers use it as a means to increase their reach.
Since official stuff is involved, licensing and copyright eventually gets in the way. This has led to some content publishers having to geo-restrict access to the content. It’s nasty and just not fair, so thank goodness for VPNs!
Countries May Completely Stop YouTube Access
Aside from blocks by content publishers, some countries may even stop access to the YouTube platform entirely. For example – Iran, Syria, and Turkmenistan. Of course at the top of the list is China, which has blocked not just YouTube, but a massive list of services and websites.
In these scenarios, using a VPN will help as well since by nature they work around all geo-blocks put in place. Do be aware though that some blocks are tougher than others to circumvent and the Great Firewall of China is notoriously so.
What is Geo-blocking?
Geo-blocking is an access block based on geographic location. A service provider like YouTube or Netflix prevents users from accessing specific content using Geo-blocking. For example, users in countries not served by YouTube TV can’t access the service.
While streaming is one example, others use Geo-blocking too. Websites that don’t comply with GDPR may block users from the EU from accessing their services.
As you might guess, Geo-blocking is entirely legal to implement. The problem is that it can be highly frustrating for users. This frustration is especially so for those charged equal amounts for services despite being in other countries.
Can You Bypass Geo-blocking?
Yes, you can. There are almost no cases where Geo-blocking will work with a good VPN. This article explaining how you can use a VPN to bypass YouTube Geo-blocking demonstrates the fact.
Conclusion
Geo-blocks can affect our Internet experience in far more ways than simply stopping us from accessing. The Internet was intended to be free and many companies are working to improve the experience for most of us.
Unfortunately, due to rigid regulations and the totalitarian actions of some countries, it has become necessary for us to turn to VPN services. They offer a lifeline on the web, reducing restrictions and increasing privacy and security.