Geo-blocking

Geo-blocking is the practice of restricting or adapting online content or services based on the user's geographic location — for example when a streaming catalog looks different abroad or is blocked entirely. Location is detected via the IP address ✕ An IP address is the unique number that makes your device reachable online — like a postal address for data packets. It can reveal your rough location and internet provider. More in the glossary → . With a VPN ✕ A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted external server. This hides your real IP address and stops third parties — like your provider or public Wi-Fi — from seeing what you do. More in the glossary → , you connect through a server ✕ A server is a powerful computer that provides data or services to other devices — for example serving a website or storing your cloud files. More in the glossary → in the country you want and get its IP, so the block can often be bypassed. Note: this may violate some services' terms of use. See which VPNs are suited for it in the best VPN comparison.