How to Bypass Geo Restrictions and Location Errors

Bypass geo restrictions and location errors in a few minutes

• What is Geo-blocking?
• Geo-location Errors – In General
• VPN for Geo-restrictions
  • Bypass Regional Restrictions – The Steps
• Best VPN to Circumvent Geo-blocking
  • ExpressVPN
  • NordVPN
  • BulletVPN
  • SurfShark
• VPN Alternative – Smart DNS Proxy
• List of Geo-blocked Channels
• How to Bypass Regional Restrictions – Summing Up

What is Geo-blocking?

Geo-blocking is a way for content providers to restrict access to their services on a geographical basis. This is mainly because of licensing regulations. Every channel or provider pay a huge amount of money to secure the rights of certain content in the country. Therefore, the enforce such restrictions to secure their content from being viewed abroad.

When you subscribe for internet service, your ISP provides you with an IP address. Every device connected to the internet holds a specific IP that helps determine the device’s location. Once you access a website, it’s able to determine your current whereabouts by examining your IP address first. If you hold one that’s not valid to the webpage you’re visiting, you’ll receive a message stating that this content is not available in your region.

A perfect example of regional restrictions comes with US Netflix. Wherever you may be outside the US, you’ll be redirected to the content library assigned in your region rather than the American one, again, based on your IP address.

Bypass Geo Restriction Errors – The basics

Here are some common geo-errors you might come across when trying to watch a channel that is not available in your region.

• “You are not allowed to watch this video: Geo-Fencing Restriction.”
• “We’re sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States.”
• “To access HBO GO, you must reside within the fifty states of the United States of America.”
• “Geographic restrictions apply (1005). This video isn’t available. Due to licensing restrictions, we can only offer this video to our United States customers.”
• “Error Code: INVALID_GEO_IP”
• Sorry, You Cannot View This Content from your Location.
• The Uploader Has Not Made This Video Available in Your Country
• “Content Unavailable. The content currently unavailable in your region.” 
• This video is geo-restricted.
• The content you are trying to view is not available in your country due to rights restrictions.
• There was an error loading the video.
• This video may have expired or is otherwise not available.

Based on my research, you have two reliable choices, either VPN or SmartDNS, to avoid geolocation errors. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages. I will sum it up for you below.

VPN Solutions to Get Around Geo Location Errors

Unlike Smart DNS, all your Internet traffic is redirected through a secure remote server when you are using a VPN. This allows you to completely hide your IP address and appear to be browsing the web while located in a different region of your choice. Your Internet speed can get negatively affected if you are using cheap, unreliable VPN services.

• All your traffic is encrypted
• All your traffic appears from one location chosen. So you can unblock ALL sites for a specific country such as USA or UK
• Does not work on all devices, unless your router supports VPN. However, the provider I use does provide easy to use apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows.
• Unlike Smart DNS, local sites that check location will break, as you now appear to be coming from the VPN server country.
• VPN will actively spoof your IP. Your location and online IP will change for all sites and services that you visit online.
• Your ISP does not know the final destination of your traffic and it can’t interfere with your traffic. As a result of Transparent proxies, DNS Hijacking, Sniffing and Eavesdropping by ISPs and otherwise won’t work.

Bypass Regional Restrictions with a VPN

To workaround geo-fencing, simple steps should be taken. Here’s what you need to do:

1. First, sign up with a credible VPN provider. ExpressVPN is highly recommended.
2. Download and install their VPN application on your device. You’ll find clients compatible with Android, iOS, PC, Mac, and Fire Stick. You can even install a VPN on your router.
3. Once the app is installed, launch it and sign in with your newly created VPN account.
4. Go to the server list and pick one based on the website or channel’s region. Take the following as examples:
   • UK server for BBC iPlayer.
   • US server for HBO Go, Hulu, US Netflix, and CW TV.
   • Canadian server for CBC.
   • Australian server for Channel 9, etc…
5. Once connected, relaunch the website you’re trying to access.
6. Surf the web without restrictions with a VPN.

In addition to bypassing regional restrictions, you can protect your devices with ExpressVPN. It offers military-grade security protocols for subscribers. If you want to know more, below is a list of VPN providers, tested and assessed based on speed, reliability and support quality.

Best VPNs for Circumventing Geo-restrictions

You may find a lot of VPN providers while searching for a credible one to use. However, you shouldn’t trust all that you come across along the way. People usually are tempted by free stuff. Well, in the VPN industry, that’s exactly what you need to avoid. First, their servers are poorly invested in and they’re very slow. Second, these free services have a habit of selling your data to sister companies in exchange for revenue. In other words, free VPNs are a big “No”. I’ve tested out some of the top VPNs everybody’s talking about on the internet. Here’s what I think about the best VPNs to work around geo-restrictions.

ExpressVPN – Top VPN and Editor’s Choice

ExpressVPN – Best VPN

Let me start with the VPN I personally use, ExpressVPN. This VPN has so many servers around the world, which means that accessing blocked content is quite simple. It also employs perfectly secure protocols such as OpenVPN with TCP and UDP, SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP.

Moreover, ExpressVPN adopts the zero-log policy. So, wherever you are, even in highly censored countries, whatever you do on the internet is not being recorded for further use. Bypassing geo-restrictions is a simple task for such a VPN as it allows you to change your location using VPN and Smart DNS. I don’t think you’ll be missing any of your shows any time soon. Here’s more in this ExpressVPN review.

Pros

• 145+ server locations in 94 countries.
• MediaStreamer Smart DNS.
• AES 256-bit encryption.
• A Kill Switch.
• Unlimited Bandwidth
• Connects 3 devices simultaneously.
• Live chat support available anytime.

Cons

• More expensive than others.
• No Free Trial.

NordVPN

NordVPN – Top 5 VPN

NordVPN is another very reliable service that you can turn to if you’re sick of being blocked all the time. Not only does it offer 5000+ servers in 62 countries, but it also excels when it comes to security features. You can use their double VPN service for an extra layer of protection above the basic encryption your get. You’ll be rerouting your internet traffic through two servers instead of one, which means you’ll be doubling your level of protection.

For more security, NordVPN provides you with a technology called CyberSec. This one will guard your device against viruses, malware, and malicious software that might target you.

Subscribers will be able to have up to 6 simultaneous connections per account and can use its Smart DNS service – Smart Play. Their application is pretty easy to use. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to navigate at all. If you want to know more, take a look at our NordVPN Review.

Pros

• CyberSec technology.
• 5000+ servers in more than 62 countries.
• No logs policy.
• Kill Switch.
• 24/7 award-winning VPN support.
• OpenVPN protocol for both TCP and UDP ports, as well as IKEv2/IPsec.
• AES-256-CBC with a 2048-bit DH key.
• Double VPN feature.
• 6 connected devices under one account.
• 30-day cash back period.

Cons

• Can be slow at times, but it’s a very good service.

BulletVPN

BulletVPN – Best VPN

Now we have the Estonia-based VPN, BulletVPN. The first thing to cross your mind when you’re looking to bypass geo-restrictions is how many servers a VPN offers. Well, BulletVPN has a decent server network in over 30 countries. Remember, this one is new, it will expand its reach as time goes by.

This VPN offers top-notch security protocols for subscribers. You get to choose from PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv1, and IKEv2 protocols. It also has its own Smart DNS service if you wish to stream at full speed. Check out more in this BulletVPN review.

Pros

• Keeps no logs.
• Smart DNS available.
• A Kill Switch.
• Servers in 30 different countries.
• Unlimited bandwidth.
• Connects 3 devices simultaneously.
• 24/7 live chat support.
• Supports PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv1, and IKEv2 protocols.

Cons

• Small server network.

SurfShark

SurfShark VPN Review

Surfshark has been dominating the VPN charts ever since it saw the light. It’s still new to the industry, but I guarantee that in the upcoming years, it’ll be a formidable rival to the giants.

It has user-friendly apps for almost all major operating systems in the world. Grants you access to 800+ servers in over 50 countries. Not only that, but you’ll also have unlimited simultaneous connections under one subscription. None of the top VPNs on our list offers anything like that. Find out more about this VPN in our SurfShark review.

Pros

• 800+ servers.
• Amazing Speeds.
• No-Log policy.
• Kill Switch.
• Bitcoin Payments.
• Unlimited simultaneous connections.
• 30-day cash-back guarantee.

Cons

• Quite expensive when it comes to a single monthly subscription.

Smart DNS Proxy to Bypass Geo Restrictions

Smart DNS proxies only partially redirect your Internet traffic. In simple terms, only the URLs which reveal your location to the streaming service you wish to unblock are affected. The rest of your Internet connection remains untouched. This approach has both its benefits and disadvantages. For one, you only get to unblock the channels the Smart DNS proxy service you are using supports. On the other hand, you will not notice a change in your Internet speed. Here’s a list of Smart DNS pros and cons.

1. You only need to change the DNS setting on your router
2. Your traffic is not all encrypted, so traffic is not anonymous.
3. You gain more speed as not all traffic has to go to the remote VPN server. This also means that not all of your traffic is spoofed.
4. You can change Netflix regions using a drop-down box if your DNS Proxy provider supports it.
5. Make sure the site or channel you want to unblock is supported by the Smart DNS proxy you choose.
6. All your devices are supported Apple TV, Roku, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android, Windows, Kindle Fire, LG, OS x, Panasonic, Amazon Fire Stick, Smart TV, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Roku, Samsung, Sony, Ubuntu, WD TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows. See Video and Picture guides for setup here.
7. If your ISP applies DNS Hijacking and/or Transparent Proxies. Smart DNS Proxies won’t work for you.

I personally have tested and I am still using Unlocator. They sport great speeds, 220 channels and growing, a Netflix region changer and a free 7-day trial. I also did do a performance review on Unlocator, that shows they have the fastest servers in the business.

List of Channels That Have Geo-Restrictions

If you are still in doubt whether you need to bypass a geolocation restriction. Here is a list of sites that are known to have geo restrictions:  ABC, Adult Swim, Al Jazeera Sports, Are TV, A&E, Amazon Instant Video, AMC HD, Animal Planet, AOL TV, ARTE, Australian OPen, BBC iPlayer, BeIN Sports, BET Networks, BlinkBox, T20, Big Pond Video, Bloomberg, Bravo, Canal+, Cartoon Network, cbbc, CBC Television, CBS, Channel 4, CityTV, Comedy Central, Crackle Crunchy Roll, CTV, The CW, Deezer, Channel 5, Discovery, ABC Family, Disney Channel, DMAX, Dramafever, the Food Network, FOX, France 2 / 3/ 4/ 5 and France TV, FX, Global, Google Play, HBO, HGTV, History Channel, Hulu Plus, ITV, Lovefilm, Marvel, Max GO, MLB, MLS, MOG, MTV, Much, National Geographic, NBA tv, Netflix, NFL direct, NHL, NIckelodeon, Now TV, Pandora, PBS, PlayOn, Rhapsody, RDE, S4C, Showtime, Sky Italia, Sky Go uk, Speed, Spike TV, Sportsnet, Spotify, Star Sports, STV, SVT.se, Syfy, tbs, TCM, Televisa, ten, ten sport, wb.tv, tsn sports, turntable, tv.com, 3, UFC, Universal Sports, USA network, UTV, VH1, Vudu, Wat, WWE, Zattoo.

Bypass geo restrictions – Unblock your Internet

It is up to you to choose which solution you think is more appropriate. Either VPN or Smart DNS Proxies will help you overcome geo restrictions and protect your privacy. If you want a fast and easy solution to stream your favorite movies on Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, BBC Iplayer, and Hulu use Smart DNS. If you want to be fully protected from intruders and do not care about a small speed hit and the limit of supported devices use VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and protect your traffic at the same time.