Why Netflix Doesn’t Care If You Share Your Account – HowToGeek
Proxima Studio/Shutterstock
With Netflix’s yearly price hikes and severe lack of sitcoms, account sharing can look a lot more appealing than a monthly subscription fee. But how does Netflix feel about account sharing, and why hasn’t the company stopped the practice?
Everybody Shares a Netflix Account
When we say “account sharing, ” we aren’t talking about sharing an account with your family. We’re talking about a practice that violates Netflix’s Terms of Use: the sharing of an account with friends, neighbors, internet strangers, and other grown adults that you don’t live with. This practice is widespread; it’s practically a touchstone of modern culture. With every nasty breakup, awkward move-in, or sudden bout of friendship-drama, somebody’s gaining or losing a free Netflix profile.
Twenty-four million people use a Netflix account that they don’t pay for according to an estimate from That’s a lot of people. If an estimated 24 million people were using your product for free, wouldn’t you get a little upset?
You’ve probably gathered this from experience, but Netflix doesn’t care about account sharing. Or, at least, the company doesn’t do anything about it. Its Terms of Use explicitly prohibit the ubiquitous practice, but that rule is never enforced. Even the most blatant forms of account sharing go unpunished. You can uninhibitedly share your Netflix login info with people who live across the country or even people who live in another continent. We’ve never heard of Netflix terminating an account because it was being shared.
But Netflix must know that it has an account sharing problem. Again, it’s practically a part of our culture. So how is Netflix dealing with account sharing and exactly how much money is it losing?
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Offer Family Plans
Netflix’s Terms of Use specifically bars the use of account sharing, so why doesn’t the website punish account sharers? In the words of Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, “password sharing is something you have to learn to live with, because there’s so much legitimate password sharing, like you sharing with your spouse. ” Netflix is “doing fine as is, ” without hunting down account sharers.
Punishing account sharers isn’t worth the risk. If the company writes an algorithm to detect account sharers, there’s a chance that families would be mistakenly banned or suspended for sharing an account. That’s just bad PR.
Syda Productions/Shutterstock
So, like a skilled fighter, Netflix chooses to pivot. The streaming service has made account sharing more appealing by adding a “profiles” feature. Netflix also offers premium plans that allow watching Netflix on up to four devices at a time. These family plans are beneficial for account sharers, and they give users a reason to pay Netflix an extra $7 a month.
While it’s fair to argue that family plans and profiles exist for actual family use, it’s hard to deny the fact that these features make account sharing super easy—even for the one person who’s paying for the account.
Account Sharing is Largely Beneficial for Netflix
Account sharing can save you a lot of money, but what about Netflix’s wallet? Reed Hastings claims the company is “doing fine” in spite of account sharing, but exactly how much money is Netflix missing out on?
Account sharing costs Netflix around 2. 3 billion dollars a year according to an estimate from Yes, this estimate assumes that every Netflix-bum would actually pay for an account if they had to, but it still gives you a pretty good idea of the cash that Netflix is missing out on. If even a third of account sharers paid for a Netflix account, the company would net an extra $660 million every year.
For a company that’s 12 billion dollars in debt, that money could be a valuable asset. So, should these estimated losses stress Netflix out? No, not really.
For one thing, Netflix’s family plans act as a concession for these losses. A four-screen “Premium” Netflix account costs $7 (or 43%) more per month than a “Basic” Netflix account. Technically, these “Premium” plans provide Netflix at least an extra $100 million per year, assuming that the 24 million Netflix-bums are logging into “Premium” plans.
Plus, account sharing helps the Netflix brand compete with Hulu’s aggressive marketing tactics. Hulu, which was recently acquired by a billion-dollar corporation called Disney, intentionally operates at a loss. Basically, the streaming service is offering its basic plan for an unsustainable $6 per month in an attempt to put Netflix out of business. Even if a Netflix subscriber switches over to Hulu, they can still keep up with the Netflix brand by logging into a friend’s account.
Algorithms Could End Account Sharing
Why hasn’t Netflix ended account sharing? While it’s possible that the company genuinely doesn’t care about account sharing, it’s also possible that Netflix doesn’t have the resources to find and punish account sharers accurately. If the company were to roll out an algorithm that detects and bans account sharers, it could accidentally punish legitimate account sharers, like families or roommates. This practice would be grossly unfair, it would jeopardize the legitimacy of Netflix’s family plans, and it would hurt the Netflix brand.
This is where Synamedia comes in. Synamedia, a UK company that used to be owned by Cisco, recently unveiled a “Credentials Sharing Insight” algorithm that “turns casual password sharing into incremental revenues. ” Basically, this European company has an algorithm that accurately detects account sharing.
Judging by Synamedia’s claims, this algorithm is extremely effective. It’s capable of viewing habits and location habits of a user to identify when non-paying viewers log into an account. It can detect whether a user is “viewing at their main home” or a “holiday home. ” It could also detect if a subscriber has “grown-up children who live away from home” so streaming services won’t punish the wrong people for account sharing.
Remember, Netflix’s Terms of Use prohibits account sharing, so the company could implement Synamedia’s algorithm without warning. If Netflix decides to contract Synamedia for its algorithm, then you can say goodbye to your ex’s account. And, while Netflix hasn’t shown any interest in the anti-sharing algorithm, a few of the company’s competitors have. AT&T (the owner of DIRECTV) and Disney (the owner of Hulu and Disney+) recently invested in Synamedia. If other media companies decide to implement such an anti-sharing algorithm, it could be only a matter of time before Netflix chooses to follow suit.
READ NEXT
› How to Order Photo Albums and Prints from Google Photos
› How to Download YouTube Video Thumbnails
› How to Place Images Behind or in Front of Text in Google Slides
› What Is a WYSIWYG Editor?
› How to Add a Video to a Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
Netflix login: How to log into Netflix – How many people can you share …
Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. HOME News Showbiz & TV Sport Comment Finance Travel Entertainment Life & Style Garden Property Style Life Health Food Tech Diets Cars NETFLIX, the global streaming service, gives you access to thousands of TV shows, films and original productions. Find out how to log into Netflix online and just how many people you can share your login details with. Netflix tease interactive series ‘You vs. Wild’ with Bear Grylls Sign up for FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More infoNetflix’s basic streaming subscription starts at as little as £5. 99 a month, with pricier and more enticing options available. Regardless of your Netflix package, you can access the streaming service anywhere in the world with the exception of China. And Netflix allows you to stream your favourite films and shows directly to your smartphones, consoles, laptops, tablets and smart TVs. Here is everything you need to know about signing up, logging in and sharing your Netflix login details with your close to log into Netflix online? When you first visit you’re greeted with an option to start a 30-day free trial of the can watch Netflix for a whole month free of charge as long as you opt out of renewing your subscription before the 30 days are should Netflix prove too irresistible to give up, you will need to pick one of three subscriptions during the signup tflix Basic at £5. 99 offers unlimited streaming on one screen at a time on all compatible devices in Standard tflix Standard at £7. 99 bumps up the streaming quality to High Definition and lets you stream all content on two screens at the same tflix Premium at £9. 99 is the priciest option but it comes with all previous perks and gives you the opportunity to stream Netflix to four devices at MORE: Netflix release date schedule 2019: Full Netflix 2019 release schedule Netflix login: Netflix lets you share your account with a number of people (Image: GETTY)After you select your subscription package, simply create your account by filling in your email details, a strong password and payment method for your monthly setup process will also require you to create one or two account profiles, including a child-friendly one, which will be personally tailored to your own tastes and streaming is where you can create a separate profile to share with a partner or family tflix will start to charge you only after the initial 30 day trial period is you are all done and ready to start streaming, head on over to and hit the red Sign In tflix will ask you to input the email and password combination you chose for your, simply select whichever profile you want to watch and start streaming MORE: How to pair your phone to desktop and use WhatsApp onlineHow many people can you share your Netflix login with? Because Netflix gives you the option of creating multiple account profiles and lets you stream to various devices at once, you have the opportunity to share your details with someone you pending on your streaming plan, this means anywhere between one to three additional people could be using your account. The number of users that can stream at the same time will depend on your Netflix planNetflixOn the Standard plan, you can have one more person stream Netflix to their device while you are watching your own the Premium Netflix plan, three people can watch Netflix alongside you on their phones, tablets or at any point you receive a login error saying your account is already in use, this means your allocated number of streams has maxed is not a problem on the Basic plan, which only gives you access to one stream at a MORE: Can you get Windows 10 for free? Netflix login: You can access Netflix from all compatible smart devices (Image: GETTY) Netflix login: The Netflix Premium deal is best for multiple people to share (Image: GETTY)Netflix said: “If you’ve shared your Netflix account with friends or family, they may be using Netflix while you’re trying to watch a movie or TV show. “The number of users that can stream at the same time will depend on your Netflix plan. “You can see the limit for your account, as well as other plan options, from the Change Plan page. “To solve this problem, make sure that no one else is using your account before trying to stream again. “If you’re not sure what other device was streaming, check out your recent streaming activity. ” Related articles Windows 10 wallpaper: How to use Windows 10 featured desktop themes Windows 10 help: Where is Control Panel in Windows 10? Windows 10 security: How to exit Safe Mode in Windows 10 – how to use?
How to Change Netflix Region in 2021 – A Simple Guide
Now here’s something that really grinds my gears. You find a list of shows or films available on Netflix, you load the site up (popcorn at the ready), and the search brings up a whole pile of nothing.
Sound familiar?
Well, due to broadcasting agreements with movie and television studios, some of Netflix’s content is restricted to particular countries. This means the list of content you can watch on Netflix depends on where you are in the world. Or more specifically, where Netflix thinks you are.
Yes, there are ways of tricking Netflix into thinking you’re in a different country. In this article, we’ll investigate how to change your Netflix region and how to watch Netflix from another country.
Spoiler alert: the simplest way to change the Netflix region is by using a VPN. I’ll explain how this works below, but you can just get right to it. Follow our handy step-by-step guide on changing your country on Netflix – you’ll be watching your favorite shows in no time!
How can I change Netflix region or country?
Subscribe to Netflix: Sign up in case you haven’t already.
Download and install a VPN: Choose a VPN that can unblock Netflix. We recommend NordVPN, now 72% OFF!
Connect VPN to the right server: Choose the country that has the Netflix content you want to watch.
Login to your Netflix account: All the content from the region your VPN is connected to should be available.
Grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy!
Netflix country exclusivesSome movies and TV shows are kept exclusive to particular countries. So, when you’re connecting, if your IP doesn’t match, you cannot access the content even though it’s in their cloud. Yet, with a VPN, you can watch them all by jumping server-to-server. Here are the ones that you shouldn’t miss, which are available only in the select countries.
USA: Universal Soldier: The Return, Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut, The Yeti Adventures, My Fair Lady, etc.
Canada: The Upside, Alita: Battle Angel, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Unhinged, John Lewis: Good Trouble, etc.
UK: Prince Philip: An Extraordinary Life, The Sound of Silence, Capone, Saint France, etc.
Greece: Dr. Strangelove, Flashdance, Area 51, The Avengers, Malibu’s Most Wanted
Japan: CODE BLUE the Movie, Kekkaishi, Shinjuku Swan, Syoga Drama Nobunaga Oda, etc.
Do free VPNs work with Netflix? A free VPN is not a good choice for watching any type of online video content for a number of reasons:
Watching Netflix on freemium VPNs will use up your data allowance: Freemium VPNs often enforce monthly data caps. As we all know, streaming video uses up a lot of data, so it probably won’t take you long to use up your free VPN data allowance.
It’s quite likely that a free VPN won’t let you access region restricted content: Netflix and other streaming services are getting better at blocking VPNs from their servers. So much so that many paid VPN providers have given up on offering reliable access to Netflix. Therefore, it’s even more unlikely that a free VPN provider will have the resources to avoid being blocked.
It probably won’t protect your online anonymity: Free VPNs often come with a hidden cost to your online privacy. A lot of them will recoup costs by logging your online activity and selling your information on to third parties. Alternatively, you may find that your free VPN provider will inject ads and track cookies while you’re online.
While it is technically possible to find a free VPN for the job, here are some paid VPNs that will definitely unblock Netflix.
Which VPNs unblock Netflix? 1. NordVPN
Based in:PanamaServers/Countries:5, 542 servers in 59 countriesSmartDNS:YesCurrent deal: Get NordVPN, now 72% OFF + 3 Months FREE!
Visit NordVPN
First on our list is NordVPN, and for good reason. NordVPN’s global server network uses more than 5, 400 servers across more than 59 countries. So this gives you plenty of choices if you’re looking to change your Netflix region.
It provides reliable access to multiple Netflix locations, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands, France, and Italy.
And, not only can you use NordVPN to watch region-restricted content on Netflix, but you can also use it to watch BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other streaming platforms.
NordVPN offers super speedy connections that can easily provide smooth, buffer-free streaming of HD and even 4K content. And thanks to the fact that NordVPN doesn’t impose any data caps or bandwidth limits, you can stream for as long as you like. So you can binge-watch an entire series without worrying about reaching a data limit.
Aside from this, NordVPN offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. And it accepts cryptocurrency as a form of payment.
NordVPN is available on PC, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and Android TV.
However, using NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature, you’ll be able to unblock content even on devices that don’t support VPN, such as many smart TVs, game consoles, and more.
For more information, read our NordVPN review.
Pros
One of the most secure VPNs
Huge server selection
SmartPlay technology
30-day money-back guarantee
Inexpensive
Unblocks most streaming sites
2. Surfshark VPN
Based in:British Virgin IslandsServers/Countries:3, 200 servers in 65 countriesSmartDNS:YesCurrent deal: Get Surfshark, now 81% OFF!
Visit Surfshark
Surfshark’s VPN service is an excellent choice for watching Netflix in another country. It has more than 3, 200 servers across 64 countries, giving you plenty of options for watching region restricted content. And as Surfshark has more than doubled the number of its servers recently, we’re expecting this offering to keep growing until it’s one of the most competitive on the market.
As well as using a Surfshark VPN to watch Netflix, you can also use it to gain access to HBO Go, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video.
Surfshark is just as fast as its competitors, has great security features, and, crucially, offers a Smart DNS feature so you can bypass content restrictions not just on your desktop or mobile, but also on smart TVs, game consoles, and more.
But the feature that makes Surfshark VPN really stand out is its unlimited simultaneous connections allowance. This lets your whole family or group of friends use a single Surfshark account.
For more information, read our Surfshark VPN review.
Unblocks many streaming platforms
7-day free trial
SmartDNS included
Cheap long-term subscription
Supports WireGuard
Cons
Expensive monthly plan
3. PrivateVPN
Based in:SwedenServers/Countries:150 servers in 62 countriesSmartDNS:NoCurrent deal:Get
PrivateVPN, now 77% OFF! 12 Months + 12 Month
extra!
Visit PrivateVPN
Although PrivateVPN only has around 150 servers worldwide, that doesn’t mean it’s not a viable choice for watching Netflix abroad. In fact, although it only has a fraction of the number of servers its competitors can boast, these servers are actually spread across 60 countries.
And of course, it can help you connect to servers in the countries that have some of the world’s most extensive Netflix catalogues, including the United States, Canada, France, Japan and the UK. You can also use it to connect to other streaming services, including Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
The combination of great connection speeds and the ability to unblock content from lots of different countries puts it on our list.
And, as you might be able to tell from the name, PrivateVPN offers government grade encryption and a VPN kill switch to keep your data safe and secure at all times. It also offers a no logs policy and even lets you pay by Bitcoin, so you can keep your payment anonymous.
If you experience any issues, PrivateVPN offers 24/7 live chat customer support, as well as a Contact Us form to help you resolve your problems quickly.
For more information, read our PrivateVPN review.
Unblocks many streaming services
User-friendly
Discounts on longer subscriptions
Customizable encryption
Limited tunneling protocols options
Small server fleet
No split tunneling
4. CyberGhost
Based in:RomaniaServers/Countries:6, 900+ servers in 90 countriesSmartDNS:YesCurrent deal:Get CyberGhost VPN, now 83% OFF + 3 Months
FREE!
Visit CyberGhost
CyberGhost is another great VPN provider if you want to stream foreign versions of Netflix as it has more than 6, 800 servers in a whopping 90 countries. Naturally, this includes streaming-dedicated servers in popular locations, such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, India, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Austria.
Streamers will appreciate that CyberGhost even has special servers for specific streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
But of course, the quality and quantity of the content is not the only thing that matters. Luckily, CyberGhost offers strong encryption and a VPN kill switch to keep your online anonymity.
Elsewhere, CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat customer support, as well as a troubleshooting ticketing system to help you resolve any issues you may come up against.
For more information, read our CyberGhost VPN review.
Unblocks Netflix and other platforms
Specialized servers for streaming
45-day money-back guarantee
SmartDNS option
Cheap 3-year plan
Disappointing WireGuard performance
Mediocre Linux support
Inconsistent speeds
How do I solve the Netflix proxy error? If Netflix detects that you’re using a VPN or a proxy service, you’ll likely see a streaming error message. But the good news is, it’s really easy to fix this proxy error. All you need to do is follow our simple step by step guide that explains exactly what you need to do if you see an error message that says, “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy”.
Sign up to a VPN that has the ability to unblock Netflix (if you already have one – just switch the server). If you need help finding a good one, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite VPNs for watching region restricted content and included it earlier in this guide.
Open the VPN app or browser extension. And then connect to a server in the country that has the Netflix content you want to watch. So if, for example, it’s the American version of Netflix you want to watch, make sure you connect to a server in the United States.
Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
If this doesn’t work, try another server. The steps above should unblock the Netflix content and resolve the proxy error. If not, try another server or contact your VPN’s customer support for more dedicated help.
Related articles:
How to change Netflix region on AndroidWant to watch geo-blocked movies on your phone? Here’s how you change the Netflix region on Android:
Open the Google Play Store and install the VPN application of your choice (we recommend NordVPN, now 72% OFF)
Log into your new VPN account
Choose the country you want to connect to
Open your Netflix app – it should show the content of your preferred country
How to change Netflix region on iPhoneFollow these instructions if you want to change the Netflix region on your iPhone:
Go to the App Store, search for the VPN you need, and install it onto your iOS device (our top choice for iPhone is NordVPN, now 72% OFF)
Enter your credentials to log into your account
Pick the server of the country you want to connect to
Go to Netflix and check whether the Netflix location has changed
How to change Netflix region on TVIf you have a newer smart TV, it most likely uses Android OS. In that case, changing the Netflix location on your smart TV is a piece of cake. Just follow these instructions and you’ll be watching Netflix in no time:
Subscribe to a reputable VPN service (i. e., our top-pick for Netflix NordVPN, now 72% OFF)
Locate your VPN on the Google Play Store and install it
Log into your existing account and pick the region of your choice
Open Netflix – it should show the content of the country you selected
However, if your smart TV doesn’t have access to the Google Play Store, changing the Netflix region can be a bit more difficult – but not impossible. For example, NordVPN offers a feature called Smart DNS, which allows you to unblock Netflix libraries even on devices that don’t support VPNs.
Alternatively, you might want to install a VPN directly onto your router. In this way, all the devices connected to your network would use the VPN connection. For that, I could recommend ExpressVPN, as it offers a proprietary router application.
Video tutorial
How can I change Netflix region without a VPN? If you want to change your Netflix region to watch restricted content that’s not available in your country but you don’t want to use a VPN, you could try using a proxy service. However, it’s worth remembering that a proxy does not encrypt your data, so it’s nowhere near as secure. If online privacy is important to you, we’d strongly recommend using a reputable VPN provider to change your Netflix region.
Countries with largest Netflix libraryIt might not surprise you to learn that the United States boasts the largest Netflix library in the world. It has more titles available than any other Netflix region.
But if you’re looking for inspiration for what to watch now you know how to access region restricted content, here’s a breakdown of the top 10 countries with the largest Netflix libraries:
CountryNumber of titles in the Netflix libraryUnited States5, 879Canada5, 730United Kingdom5, 673India5. 591Australia5, 349Ireland5, 246Slovakia5, 077Japan5, 065Czech Republic5, 063Hungary5, 062 Is using a VPN for Netflix legal? Yes. Currently, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to watch Netflix in most countries. The only time when this might cause you an issue is if you’re using it in a country where VPNs are restricted, such as Russia, Iran or China.
But apart from that, it is legal to use a VPN to access any website, including Netflix and other streaming sites.
Technically, it is against Netflix’s rules to use a VPN to watch its content in another country. But that doesn’t make it illegal. And if you do get caught, there shouldn’t be any cause for alarm. Netflix is not in the habit of actively closing down accounts, even after repeated use of VPNs. After all, the user is still paying for a Netflix subscription, even if they’re using it to access content from another country.
Netflix can sometimes detect if you’re using a VPN. But if it does, it will simply display a message informing you that you won’t be able to watch any content until you disconnect your VPN. So, you won’t be able to view anything on the foreign version of Netflix, but you won’t face any more serious consequences. And if your VPN is blocked from using Netflix, we have some tips and tricks on how to fix this a bit further down.
You might also be concerned about copyright infringement if you’re thinking about using a VPN to watch Netflix. But you don’t need to worry about this. While Netflix does have some agreements in place with copyright holders that means it can only show certain content in particular locations, that’s down to Netflix to uphold. You can still watch it wherever you are (if you know how).
FAQ
Can Netflix detect if you’re using a VPN?
Yes. Netflix works hard to ban VPN IP addresses. When you connect using one of these banned IP addresses, Netflix will know you’re using a VPN.
Why does Netflix ban VPN providers?
Netflix works hard to ban VPN providers from letting users access region restricted content because of distribution rights agreements. Essentially, Netflix has the right to stream content they don’t own the copyrights for only in agreed-upon locations.
Which country has the best Netflix?
The United States has the largest Netflix library, boasting 5, 879 titles in its catalogue. This works out at 4, 035 movies and 1, 844 TV series. Canada, meanwhile, has more movies, with 4, 043 films in its library is the best depends on your preferences.
More VPN guides from CyberNews:How to Change Country on Amazon Prime: catch all the latest exclusives no matter where you are
How to Change PSN Region on PS4 and PS5: make the most out of your console and game without limits
Pokemon GO Spoofing: catch the creatures from all over the world
Frequently Asked Questions about can netflix be used in different countries
Can Netflix be shared internationally?
You can uninhibitedly share your Netflix login info with people who live across the country or even people who live in another continent.May 11, 2019
Can I use my Netflix account anywhere?
Regardless of your Netflix package, you can access the streaming service anywhere in the world with the exception of China. And Netflix allows you to stream your favourite films and shows directly to your smartphones, consoles, laptops, tablets and smart TVs.Mar 29, 2019
Is it legal to change your Netflix country?
Technically, it is against Netflix’s rules to use a VPN to watch its content in another country. But that doesn’t make it illegal. … After all, the user is still paying for a Netflix subscription, even if they’re using it to access content from another country. Netflix can sometimes detect if you’re using a VPN.Oct 7, 2021