Turns out, most Americans hit a paywall on a news site and just... move on. A recent discussion highlights how few people actually cough up the cash to read articles when they encounter these digital roadblocks. Some argue it’s a sign of broken business models, while others shrug it off as the reality of free online content.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about paywalls—it’s about how (or if) quality journalism can survive in an era where people expect news to be free. If readers won’t pay, publishers have to rely on ads or other shaky revenue streams, which could mean more clickbait or even fewer newsrooms. It’s a messy problem with no easy fix.