Social media loopholes in their paywall mean most can have unlimited NYT access

On Thursday, the New York Times detailed its plans for the new paywall it is raising starting March 28. After 20 stories accessed via its website, users will be forced to subscribe, unless they use one of the holes in the wall easily available.

Internet users are used to everything on the Web being free. In general, that is the case, but there are exceptions, such as the Wall Street Journal. That site also has a loophole: while not all WSJ stories are behind the paywall, those that are can be accessed via Google, as long as your are able to search and find it.

That will also be the case with the New York Times' paywall, but they will limit the number of such Google redirections to 5 per day. Other engines, such as Bing, will not be restricted.

Also not restricted will be users redirected from Twitter and Facebook. Those coming from those sites will be able to access the full story content, unrestricted.

What does it mean? It means that, unless you are using a mobile app such as on the iPad, the ability to reach NYT stories will be unlimited for those savvy enough to work around the paywall. It could also mean that the NYT things free access via Google as more of a "threat" to revenue that Twitter and Facebook.

On the other hand, since it is well known that the NYT wants to limit the backlash from users used to unrestricted NYT access, it could also mean that the NYT has recognized the importance of Social Media in news. LinkedIn showed it certainly is thinking along those lines, when it launched LinkedIn Today earlier.

In any case, there are plenty of ways around the New York Times paywall, so most tech-savvy users, such as those reading this, will probably not end up subscribing.