Introduction
Have you ever stumbled upon a compelling article on Medium, only to be met with the dreaded paywall? It’s a common experience. You’re intrigued, the headline grabbed your attention, but you’re hesitant to subscribe, perhaps because you’re not a frequent user or simply want to explore the platform before committing. The Medium platform operates on a metered paywall system, allowing a limited number of free articles per month, and often, that limit disappears fast. So, how do you access those captivating stories without immediately reaching for your wallet?
Fortunately, there are several legitimate, and a few less conventional, ways to open any medium link and access those insightful articles without a paid subscription. These methods each come with their own advantages and disadvantages, ranging from simple tricks to relying on the generosity of others. This article explores these options, empowering you to access the wealth of content Medium offers, while also encouraging you to support the writers who create it.
Legitimate Methods for Opening Medium Links
Let’s start with the most straightforward and ethical ways to bypass that frustrating barrier to entry.
Leveraging Friend Links
One of the easiest ways to access a Medium article without hitting the paywall is through something called a “Friend Link.” Friend Links are special, uniquely generated URLs that authors can create when sharing their work. These links bypass the paywall, granting anyone who clicks on them free access to the article, regardless of their subscription status or remaining free article count.
Identifying a Friend Link is usually straightforward. Authors often share them on their social media platforms (like Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook), in newsletters, or directly with their contacts. The URL usually contains a unique identifier that signals to Medium that it’s a shareable link. If you see a link to a Medium article being shared publicly, there’s a good chance it’s a Friend Link.
The main limitation of this method is its reliance on the author’s willingness to share a Friend Link. You won’t be able to generate one yourself for any article you find. It’s a system designed to help authors promote their work and broaden their reach, rather than a general workaround for readers. However, if you’re following a particular writer, keeping an eye out for their Friend Links is an excellent strategy.
Waiting for Metered Access Refresh
Medium, in many regions, provides a limited number of free articles per month before the paywall kicks in. The exact number varies depending on your location and Medium’s current policies, so keep an eye out on their help pages. If you’ve already exhausted your free article allowance, the simplest solution might be to wait for your access to reset.
This method is completely legitimate and requires no technical expertise. The downside, of course, is the waiting period. For some, this delay might be too long, especially if you’re eager to read an article immediately.
Subscribing to Medium
While the entire point of this article is to explore ways to *avoid* subscribing, it’s essential to acknowledge that subscribing to Medium is the most official and arguably the most supportive way to access its content. A Medium subscription unlocks unlimited access to all articles on the platform, across all publications and authors.
The benefits of a subscription extend beyond simply bypassing the paywall. You gain an ad-free reading experience, supporting the writers whose work you enjoy. Medium distributes a portion of subscription revenue to writers based on reader engagement, incentivizing them to produce high-quality content.
The cost of a Medium subscription varies, but for avid readers who regularly consume content on the platform, it often represents excellent value. Consider it an investment in a vibrant community of writers and a commitment to supporting independent journalism and diverse voices. It may be worth trialing the subscription at a minimal cost to see if the value makes sense for you!
Checking for Author Cross-Posting
Many writers who publish on Medium also cross-post their content to other platforms. This means the same article might also appear on the author’s personal blog, on platforms like Dev.to (popular among developers), or on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.
A simple search can often reveal if an author has published the same piece elsewhere. Try searching for the article title (or a unique phrase from the article) along with the author’s name on Google or directly on these alternative platforms.
This method is not only legitimate but also benefits the author, even if indirectly. By reading their work on their own blog or on LinkedIn, you might be increasing their visibility and helping them build their personal brand. You could even choose to subscribe to their external blog, or connect with them on LinkedIn. It’s a win-win situation.
Alternative Methods
Now, let’s explore some alternative methods that are slightly more “hacky” and come with caveats. While they *might* allow you to open a medium link without a subscription, proceed with caution and be aware of the potential risks.
Utilizing Browser Extensions
A number of browser extensions claim to bypass Medium’s paywall. These extensions often work by attempting to access archived versions of the page or by disabling certain JavaScript elements that trigger the paywall.
Important Disclaimer: Using browser extensions to circumvent paywalls carries significant risks. Some extensions may be malicious and can compromise your security or privacy. They might track your browsing activity, inject unwanted ads, or even steal your personal information. Furthermore, using such extensions might violate Medium’s terms of service. Before installing any browser extension, carefully research its reputation, read user reviews, and ensure it comes from a trusted source. Using these tools comes with inherent risk, so proceed carefully.
Google Search Cache
Google’s search engine often stores cached versions of webpages. This cache can sometimes allow you to view a snapshot of the article as it appeared before the paywall was triggered.
To access the Google cache, search for the article on Google. Next to the search result, look for a small, downward-pointing arrow or three vertical dots. Clicking on this will reveal a menu. Select “Cached” from the menu. This will load a version of the article that Google has stored on its servers.
The limitations of this method are that it might not always work (Google doesn’t cache every page), and the cached version might be outdated, lacking recent updates or edits. However, it’s a quick and easy option to try.
Archive.org (Wayback Machine)
Archive.org’s Wayback Machine is a vast archive of websites from throughout history. You can use it to see if a previous version of the Medium article has been archived.
Go to the Wayback Machine website (archive.org) and enter the URL of the Medium article. The Wayback Machine will display a calendar showing the dates when the page was archived. Click on a date to view the archived version of the article.
Similar to the Google cache, not all articles are archived, and the formatting of the archived version might be imperfect. But it’s another potential avenue for accessing the content.
Ethical Considerations and Medium’s Perspective
Bypassing paywalls raises important ethical questions. Is it stealing content? Does it harm the writers who rely on subscription revenue to support their work?
Medium’s perspective is clear: the paywall is essential for supporting writers and maintaining the platform. Subscription revenue allows Medium to pay writers fairly and provide a platform for them to share their ideas with a wide audience.
If you find value in the content you consume on Medium, consider supporting the writers and the platform through legitimate means. Subscribe to Medium, become a member, or even donate directly to the authors you admire. You might be able to buy them a coffee, or become a direct subscriber.
Conclusion
This article has explored various methods for accessing Medium links and reading articles, even without a paid subscription. These range from the ethical and straightforward use of Friend Links to the less certain tactics that depend on browser extensions.
Ultimately, ethical considerations should guide your decision. Medium’s paywall is in place to support writers and ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform. If you enjoy the content, consider supporting it through legitimate channels. It helps the writers and ensures the platform can continue creating excellent articles for a varied group of readers. Consider giving a trial a try before subscribing and supporting your favourite authors!
