What is Geo-Blocking?
Geo-blocking restricts access to your site, specific content, or apps based on a user’s geographic location. This feature helps ensure compliance with copyright laws, licensing agreements, or regional policies.
Implementing Geo-Blocking for Your Website
Restricting Access to Your Entire Website
Navigate to Settings:
Go to the Geo-Blocking section.Select Countries to Block:
Choose specific countries to block or use the "Move all to blocked" option and then deselect the countries where your site should remain accessible.
Use the search bar for quick navigation.
Save Your Changes:
Click Save to apply restrictions.
🛑 What Happens for Blocked Users?
Visitors from blocked countries will see an "Access Restricted" page.
Implementing Geo-Blocking for Specific Content
Restricting Individual Videos
Navigate to Content:
Click Videos and select the video you want to geo-block.Modify Geo-Blocking Settings:
Click More Actions in the top-right corner of the video details page.
Add countries to the blocked list.
Save Your Settings:
Hit Save to finalize the geo-blocking.
💡 Pro Tip: On mobile apps and Roku TV, geo-blocked videos may still appear in catalogs but will be unplayable or excluded from search results.
Restricting Collections
Navigate to Collections:
Go to Content → Collections, select the desired collection, and click Edit.Set Geo-Blocking Preferences:
Under the Geo-Blocking tab, select countries to block or allow.Save Your Changes:
Finalize by clicking Save.
📌 Important: For apps, you must block individual videos within the collection as well to ensure full enforcement.
Implementing Geo-Blocking for Apps
Geo-blocking an app in the app store controls its availability based on the user’s location. When you apply geo-blocking, users in restricted countries will not see the app listed in their regional app stores.
By default your Uscreen apps will be available in all applicable regions. You can request a change to your app's availability. This is subject to each app store.
Before Publishing Your App
Coordinate with the App Launch Team:
Email ott@uscreen.tv to request geo-blocking before app submission.Specify Restricted Regions:
Provide the team with a list of countries where the app should not be accessible.
🔔 Note: The Privacy Policy and Terms of Service must remain globally accessible, even for geo-blocked apps, to comply with app store requirements.
After Publishing Your App
Apple App Store
Navigate to App Store Connect.
Select My Apps, then choose your app.
Go to the App Store Tab > Pricing & Availability.
Click Edit under Availability, select/deselect regions, and save.
Google Play Store
Open Google Developer Console.
Choose your app and navigate to Store Presence > Pricing & Distribution.
Manage regions under Countries and submit your updates.
Amazon, Roku, & Samsung
Contact ott@uscreen.tv with the list of regions to block or allow.
Key Considerations
App and Content Interplay
Geo-blocked content on your site will also be restricted on apps.
For native mobile apps and TV platforms:
Content may appear in catalogs but will be unplayable.
It might be excluded from search results.
Managing App Availability
Apps can be unpublished from stores to prevent new downloads, but existing users will retain access.
Restoring availability may require a new app build and approval process. Plan accordingly.
Strategic Tips for Geo-Blocking
🎯 Plan Ahead: Identify all regions requiring restrictions before site or app launch
📊 Compliance: Stay informed about regional copyright and licensing requirements
✅ User Experience: Communicate access limitations to users in restricted regions.
By implementing geo-blocking effectively, you can protect your content, maintain compliance, and provide a seamless experience for your audience in allowed regions.