How Do I Read Member Only Articles on Medium for Free

Medium is a popular and respected publishing platform where users can share their creative and informative content with a broad audience. However, Medium has recently implemented a paywall system that restricts access to exclusive articles for non-subscribers. If you're on a tight budget but wish to read member-only articles on Medium, don't worry; this article will help you find ways to bypass the paywall and read articles for free.

1. How to Access Exclusive Articles for Free
2. Overcoming the Medium Paywall
3. Turning off the Paywall on Medium
4. Can You Read Medium for Free
5. Conclusion

How to Access Exclusive Articles for Free

Here are some techniques to unlock paywalls and access restricted content on Medium without spending a dime:

1. Try Incognito Mode: Opening your desired article in incognito mode eliminates cookies that indicate that you've already read a specific number of articles and reset your limit.
2. Install Postlight Reader for Chrome or Edge: Bypassing the paywall could entail installing the Postlight Reader, which automatically extracts and presents the article's text from the underlying HTML.
3. Try Reader Mode on your device: Many devices support a reader mode that strips out the unnecessary elements of a web page and shows you the text.
4. Try 12ft.io in any browser: This tool changes the layout of a web page to make it easier to read and evades paywalls.
5. View the archived version of the site or article: Many websites, including the Wayback Machine by the Internet Archive, can store the previous version of a webpage, including articles, so you can read even if it's been removed.
6. Paste the headline into Google: Paste the headline of the article that you want to read into Google's search bar, and it might display a cached version you can access.

Overcoming the Medium Paywall

By following the tips outlined above, you should now be able to bypass Medium's paywall. All you need to do is open the article you'd like to read in an incognito browser window, and you can access the content without any limitations. Bear in mind that Medium only tracks the number of articles you've read if you're a non-subscriber with an account, so logging out before opening your desired article in an incognito browser window can also be useful to overcome the paywall.

Turning off the Paywall on Medium

If you're an author who wants to disable the paywall on existing posts on Medium, follow these guidelines:

1. Log in to Medium: Sign in to your Medium account as the author of the post.
2. Edit the post: Click the Settings ⚙️ icon at the right top corner of the post and select Edit Story.
3. Manage Distribution Setting: Click on the settings menu (…) and select Manage Distribution Setting.
4. Untick the box and save: Uncheck the box for "Behind the paywall" and hit Save.

Can You Read Medium for Free

Medium is free for readers and writers alike, but subscription costs apply to access exclusive content, which allows readers to access unlimited stories. However, free users can still read three articles per month, and all posts outside the paywall remain free. You can also use Medium to build your audience as a writer and publishing content that engages readers and build your professional brand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you want to read member-only articles on Medium without spending money, you now know how to bypass the paywall. Try different methods to see which one suits your preferences, and always remember to support your favorite writers on the platform. Whether you're a reader or writer, Medium is a unique platform that rewards creativity and dedication, and leveraging it for personal or professional gains is a smart move.