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Paywall

A paywall or usage gating is a system that limits access to features until users make an upgrade or buy an add-on. It's commonly used by AI tools, SaaS products, and content platforms to monetize their offerings.

Common types of paywalls:

  • Hard paywall: No access without payment (Example: Netflix)
  • Soft paywall: Limited free access (Example: Medium's 3 free articles per month)
  • Metered paywall: Access based on usage (Example: New York Times' 10 free articles)
  • Freemium paywall: Basic features free, premium features paid (Example: Spotify)

Paywalls often include preview content or free trials to let users sample the value before purchasing. This helps convert free users to paying customers while maintaining content value.