What term refers to the barrier that requires a paid subscription to access online content?

• A. Digital paywall
• B. Paywall
• C. Metered access
• D. Subscription barrier

Answer: (A)

A digital paywall is the term that best captures the idea of a barrier gating online content behind a paid subscription. It clearly signals the online context and the monetization mechanism: you must pay to access the content. While simply saying paywall is accurate in a general sense, specifying “digital” emphasizes that the barrier exists within online platforms like websites and apps, not in print or other media. Metered access describes a specific model where a limited number of free articles are available before payment is required, so it isn’t the universal barrier that blocks access for subscribers. A subscription barrier isn’t standard terminology, making it the least precise option.