Although Netflix is available in more than 190 countries; however, the regional Netflix content is different. Courtesy of the geo-restrictions, you can access the USA or UK Netflix content in Australia and the Asia Pacific. That’s why people use reliable VPN services, such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, which are the greatest Netflix VPN services worldwide.
However, recently Netflix is now all geared up to block residential IP addresses that attempt to bypass its geo-restrictions. In addition, Netflix is trying to block all the customers who attempt to access different Netflix regional libraries using a VPN or any other proxy service.
History of Netflix blacklisting VPN IP addresses
In 2015, Netflix began to block the customers who used the VPN services and other proxy tools to bypass the geo-restrictions imposed by Netflix. It’s because of the license agreement of Netflix with different production companies that don’t allow Netflix to stream different movies and shows in some countries.
However, Netflix started taking action against the subscribers who used VPN and proxies. For instance, the Android application of Netflix forced Google DNS, making it impossible to use DNS-based location unblockers and other VPN IP ranges. Furthermore, Netflix was able to block almost all the free VPN services.
Many VPN users weren’t happy with the Netflix movie; that’s why many VPN services, such as CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, continued to offer a reliable VPN connection to bypass Netflix geo-restrictions without getting banned.
How VPN bypasses Netflix geo-restriction?
Some VPN services allow you to access the US or UK Netflix libraries by assigning your local and residential IP addresses as proxies. This way, Netflix thinks you are located within the region and using your home Wi-Fi network to stream your favorite movies and shows.
The process of establishing a VPN connection is quite simple. All you need to do is install the VPN service, select a suitable monthly or yearly subscription plan and sign up using your credentials.
Next, you need to select the server of the country whose Netflix library you want to access. For instance, you can select the USA server to access American Netflix and so on. Once the connection is successful, the VPN service assigns you a local or a residential IP address to trick Netflix into thinking of your location in the USA.
This way, it allows reliable VPN services to fly under the Netflix radar without getting banned. Lastly, when you log in to your existing Netflix account, it automatically redirects you to the USA Netflix media library.
Blocking residential IP addresses
Netflix blocks all the known commercial VPNs and other proxies to implement its geo-restriction policy and banning the audience from watching Netflix content from other countries.
However, Netflix has now begun to add the residential IP addresses to the block list. Initially, we noticed this issue about Netflix blocking its residential IP addresses.
Compared to the IP addresses assigned to a VPN user, the residential IP addresses are usually assigned to Xfinity, Verizon, AT&T, and other Internet Service Providers (ISP).
Netflix blocking the residential IPs is a rather strict approach that is beneficial for the streaming company; however, it will cause collateral damage to the local customers.
It means some regional users who don’t use VPNs or proxies will also be affected by this move. Some people have complained about missing content over Wi-Fi even if they weren’t using any VPN. Furthermore, some subscribers can’t access the entire native Netflix library, despite being a country resident.
Final thoughts
Netflix hasn’t shared any official statement regarding the recent crackdown on the residential IPs; however, it replies to Twitter and other social media platforms complainants.
According to Netflix, the error message regarding content appears if the user uses VPNs, proxies, or other routing software programs. However, if not the case, the customers can contact the web service provider to check the IP address-related issue.
Netflix has the right to take action against people who bypass the geo-restrictions; however, it shouldn’t harm the spying customers who don’t even use the VPN.
Conversely, other VPN services are taking all the necessary measures, allowing the customers to access different Netflix regional content without any restriction.
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Lucas Brown 
