This article shows you how to view geo-restricted YouTube videos. These are the videos that show the error message "The video is not available in your country" when you try to play them outside the country they are intended for. To get around these limitations, you can use a proxy server or a VPN ("Virtual Private Network") connection. This type of service is able to disguise the IP address of a computer or smartphone. If you are unable to view certain YouTube content because the country you live in censors it, using a VPN service to circumvent this restriction may be illegal and therefore not recommended to avoid running into legal problems.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using ProxFree
Step 1. Go to the ProxFree website page related to YouTube
Type the address https://www.proxfree.com/youtube-proxy.php into the address bar of your computer's internet browser. This page of the site is dedicated exclusively to viewing restricted YouTube content, including those related to geographic area.
Step 2. Scroll down the page to locate the "Server Location" section
It is located at the bottom of the page.
Step 3. Access the "Server Location" drop-down menu
A list of options will be displayed.
Step 4. Select one of the available servers, based on the country in which it is installed
Choose one of the countries listed in the menu being careful to select a different one from the one you currently reside in.
For example, if you live in Italy and the content you want to view is not intended for this country, you will need to choose a different country such as France
Step 5. Access the YouTube site using the ProxFree page
Type the text string youtube.com into the address bar above the "Server Location" drop-down menu, then press the button PROXFREE.
Step 6. Search for the video you want to view that is currently blocked
Use the search bar at the top of the YouTube site to enter the name of the video or channel you want to watch, then click the "Search" icon
located on the right of the search bar.
Make sure you use the search bar on the right of the YouTube logo and not the browser address bar or the one where you previously entered the youtube.com URL
Step 7. Select the locked video
Click the title of the movie you want to watch. It should be reproduced directly within the ProxFree page.
- If the chosen video is still not viewable, try selecting an IP address other than the current one using the "IP Address Location" drop-down menu.
- If the video is blocked in all available countries, try using a VPN connection.
Method 2 of 2: Use a VPN Connection
Step 1. Understand the limitations of using a VPN service
Using a connection to a "Virtual Private Network" allows you to browse the web using an IP address other than the one assigned to your local LAN by the internet connection manager. This will allow you to view YouTube videos that are not currently available in the region where you live. However, if the address of the VPN service you have chosen to use is already known to YouTube, it is very likely that you will not be able to view restricted content anyway.
- If you have chosen to use a VPN service that allows you to choose the country from which to access the internet, you can choose one of the states in which the video in question is available without restrictions.
- If you haven't subscribed to a VPN service yet, choose one that allows you to customize the country from which you access the web.
Step 2. Install the VPN client if needed
If your computer or smartphone does not come with software that allows you to access a VPN network, purchase one or install a free one (normally this tool is provided free of charge directly from the VPN service.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two great VPN services
Step 3. Activate your device's VPN connection
If the VPN service you signed up for has provided you with a client (for desktop systems or for mobile devices), start it now to be able to access the private network. The VPN client will use your current internet connection to access the private network of the service you have subscribed to.
- Each VPN service has its own connection procedure, so consult the online support page to find out how to set it up and how to activate it on your device.
- Depending on the VPN service you have chosen, you may just need to set up a VPN connection directly on your computer or mobile device without having to install any additional software.
Step 4. If possible, select the country from which you want to access the web
If the VPN service allows you to customize your internet access point, choose a country other than the one in which you currently reside. In this way you will be sure that you will be assigned an IP address other than those reserved for the country in which you live and in which the chosen video is not available.
You may have to make several attempts before you can find a country where the video you want to watch is not blocked by YouTube
Step 5. Log in to the YouTube website
Enter the URL https://www.youtube.com/ in the address bar of the browser (if you are using a computer) or start the YouTube app by tapping the corresponding icon (if you are using a mobile device).
Step 6. Search for the video you want to view
If the content (or channel) you choose is available without restrictions in the country where the VPN server you connected to resides, you should be able to watch it without any problems.
If the video or channel you're looking for doesn't appear in the results list, try changing your YouTube account information for the area you live in
Step 7. Play the video
Click or tap the name or icon of the video you want to watch. If the video is not restricted within the country where the VPN server you connected to resides, you should be able to view it without any problems.
