Paywalls and subscriptions in Spanish digital newspapers: exploratory scoping review

Abstract

Paywalls and subscriptions have become one of the main sources of funding for digital media in Spain. However, their recent widespread implementation raises questions about their profitability in a context where readers have become accustomed to free content. This study conducts a scoping review by analyzing articles published on the subject between 2021 and 2025, in order to establish a state of the art that outlines the thematic trends of the study, the most relevant results, the research gaps, and the methodologies used. The research reveals the financial viability of the model and its effects as the main areas of study, as well as a series of subscription dynamics and proposals for improvement. Added to these are the observation of a predominant use of qualitative methods and various gaps in exploration related to transparency and paywall evasion, among others. Furthermore, some of the most significant findings notes that there is no universal model of profitability and no change in the perception of this strategy over the years in terms of attracting subscribers. This is because the commitment to the quality of journalistic pieces continues to be key to convincing readers. However, the percentage of those who pay is still below 20 %.