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Does Relaxing Paywall Access Help or Hurt Digital News Subscriptions?

  • 1.  Does Relaxing Paywall Access Help or Hurt Digital News Subscriptions?

    Posted 08-04-2023 10:52

    BALTIMORE, MD, August 1, 2023 – A new study has revealed that when news sites temporarily relax or suspend restrictions tied to paywall access, they eventually see an increase in subscribers. This reinforces the power and value of sampling as a marketing strategy. But there's more.

    Click here to read the full press release.



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    Ashley Smith
    Public Relations Specialist
    INFORMS Public Affairs Coordinator
    Baltimore MD
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  • 2.  RE: Does Relaxing Paywall Access Help or Hurt Digital News Subscriptions?

    Posted 08-13-2023 14:11
    Edited by Vincent Tsz Fai Chow 08-13-2023 14:11
    To me, it is challenging to justify subscribing to a news site with a paywall, especially with so many options available online. Perhaps if I have more time to read regularly, it will make sense to invest in a subscription. But it is not for me as I only read articles on a need-to-know basis. 
    It's important to get a sense of the content and quality of a site before committing to a subscription, and thus offering free samples could be a helpful way for paid sites to attract potential subscribers. If pro-rated fees in case one decides to cancel (swiftly) are offered, many people will appreciate it, and lifting paywalls a bit will probably be less important then.

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    Vincent Tsz Fai Chow
    Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
    Email: tsz-fai.chow@polyu.edu.hk
    https://tfvchow.github.io
    ------------------------------

    Original Message

    BALTIMORE, MD, August 1, 2023 – A new study has revealed that when news sites temporarily relax or suspend restrictions tied to paywall access, they eventually see an increase in subscribers. This reinforces the power and value of sampling as a marketing strategy. But there's more.

    Click here to read the full press release.



    ------------------------------
    Ashley Smith
    Public Relations Specialist
    INFORMS Public Affairs Coordinator
    Baltimore MD
    ------------------------------



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