11/16/2025
A **paywall** is a system that restricts access to content (usually online) until the user pays a fee or subscribes. It’s essentially a digital barrier between free and paid content.
Common types include:
- **Hard paywall** - All content requires payment (e.g., The Wall Street Journal)
- **Soft/metered paywall** - You get a limited number of free articles per month before hitting the paywall (e.g., The New York Times)
- **Freemium paywall** - Basic content is free, but premium features or content require payment
Paywalls are commonly used by news organizations, streaming services, academic journals, and content creators to monetize their work and sustain their operations.
