Archive for category: Approved

Netflix changed its rating system in 2018 to an easy “thumbs up” or “thumbs down”. This replaces the old traditional rating system of five stars. Together with the rating system, Netflix’s built-in recommendations algorithm will start suggesting shows for you to watch, based on your ratings and ongoing viewing history. The more you watch Netflix, the more relevant recommendations will pop up.

Does The Netflix Ratings Affect My Recommendations?

There are literally thousands of shows and movies available for streaming on Netflix. By rating the shows and movies you watch, you will help the Netflix algorithm to get a better idea of your personal likes and dislikes.

The recommendation algorithm works on a few factors: all the shows and movies available; your personal streaming history, and any ratings you made; as well as the combined ratings of other Netflix members with similar tastes to yours.

These factors are combined to create the percent match score when you type in a title. And this score is unique to each Netflix user. It gives you an indication of how likely you are to appreciate the titles.

Tip: scroll to the bottom of the Netflix home page to see Top Picks for you and shows/movies recommended because you watched similar ones.

How do the Netflix ratings work?

Every time you leave a rating on a show or a movie, the Netflix recommendation algorithm takes notes. You are teaching Netflix more about your personal viewing likes and dislikes. This way the suggestions that Netflix shows you on the home screen can be more tailor-made to your personal viewing preferences.

When you go into your account and click on Ratings under the My Profile, you can see all the shows that you have rated. The old rating system is still saved here, showing you the star rating system previously used to personalize your Netflix experience.

Some of the older devices used for streaming Netflix, such as Smart TV’s, set-top boxes, and Blu-ray players will still display the old star rating system. If you use any of these now to make a new rating, it won’t be saved. If you want to rate the show, you must log on to Netflix.com or access the shows from your mobile app.

Update Your Netflix Ratings

If you have not been rating the shows and movies you’ve been watching on Netflix, you can backtrack your streaming activity. Add a thumbs up or down now to activate the Netflix recommendations algorithm on your account.

Under the Account section, scroll to My Profile at the bottom, click on Viewing Activity. This will show you a list of the shows and movies you’ve previously watched on Netflix. Click on a show episode or movie to access it. Under the title look for the thumbs up and down icons and add your rating.

Although Netflix is mainly a live video streaming service, they have heard the lamentations of the people and you can now download some of the content to watch offline. This is a great option if you have limited access to uncapped WiFi. Or if you are planning a trip to a location where you know the signal will be either weak or completely missing in action.

Now you can plan your Netflix binging sessions with downloaded episodes of your favourite series, if available for download, or stock up on a few movies for a weekend in a remote area.

How to Download Netflix Content

To use the download function of the Netflix service, you have to first download the Netflix app for your device. The download function is not available when using an internet browser to view Netflix content.

Step 1: open the Netflix app on your device. Access the menu in the top left corner or look for “Downloads” at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: click on “Available for Download.”

A list of all the shows and movies available for download appears here. You can also use the search function to sift through the content if you are looking for something in particular. If a show or movie is available for download, a down-facing arrow will appear next to the episode or after the description of the movie. If there is no arrow, it’s not available for download.

Step 3: choose the program you want to download and tap on the arrow to start downloading. You will need an active internet connection for the duration of the download.

How to View Downloaded Netflix Content

Once your download is complete, it will be stored on your device. Please note, the offline download is only available on the device you downloaded it on. You can then access the downloaded Netflix shows and movies without being connected to the internet.

From the menu at the top right, click on “My downloads”. Or click on “Downloads” at the bottom of your screen. The Netflix content that you have downloaded will appear here. On your smartphone a blue icon will appear next to the downloaded content. You can access the episode or movie the same way as online Netflix content.

If multiple members of your family has access to your Netflix account, you can change the parental control to make sure that younger members are not exposed to inappropriate content. There are two levels of control: account-level (hard controls) and profile-level (soft controls).

For the Hard Controls a PIN code will be required for certain maturity ratings. You can create a 4-digit PIN to enter if a specific show or movie has a maturity level restriction. This way your child will not be able to access inappropriate content.

The Soft Controls are linked to the profile. This way the entire profile is linked to a specific maturity level. Your child will then only have access to specific age restricted content.

How to Create a PIN on Your Netflix Account

Before you can select age restrictions, you must first create a PIN for your account. PIN settings are only available on devices older than 2013.

Step 1: Login to your account on a web browser

Step 2: Select “Account” from the menu on the top right

Step 3: Under the “Settings” section, select “Parental controls”

Step 4: To change it, you will need to enter the account password

Step 5: Click on “Continue”

Step 6: Choose a four-digit numbered PIN, letters are not permitted

Step 7: Choose the protection level from the options:

• ALL (Little Kids)
• 7+, some 13+ (Older Kids)
• 13+ (Teens)
• 16+, 18+ (Adults)

Activate the PIN on Your Netflix Account

The main account holder can choose how the PIN will be used for the account. It can be linked to the maturity ratings. Or it can be linked to specific movies and shows.

Under the “Restrict by Maturity Level” select the top level of access allowed:

Step 1: Select the first dot to PIN protect All content

Step 2: Select the second dot to PIN protect Older Kids and up content

Step 3: Select the third dot to PIN protect Teens and up content

Step 4: Select the fourth dot to PIN protect Adults content

Step 5: Select the fifth dot to switch PIN protection off

Under the “Restrict Specific Titles” section you can start typing a specific show or movie name. Select it from the list to add to your restricted content. You can remove it again by clicking on the little x that appears to the right of the added title.

After you have made the changes to the parental controls on your Netflix account, press “Save” at the top next to your PIN.

Please note: The parental control changes might not reflect on all devices immediately. If the new settings still don’t reflect, try to refresh the device, or log out and back in again.

Use a Profile as Parental Control

If you are in control of logging in to your Netflix Account on behalf of your children, you can use the “Kids” profile set up.

Step 1: Select “Manage Profiles” from the top right menu

Step 2: Click on the profile picture for “Kids”

Step 3: Under the dropdown “Allowed TV shows and movies” select the age restriction

• For little kids only
• For older kids and below

For teenagers you can create an extra main profile and select “for teens and below”.

When Do You Have To Enter your Netflix PIN

You will have to enter your PIN every time you try to watch a restricted show or movie. Sometimes ratings can also change between episodes of a specific series. Once you have entered your PIN you can continue watching without restriction until you switch profiles or sign out. If your account was dormant for a while, you must reenter your PIN before watching. You will also be required to enter the PIN if you are downloading restricted content.

On all iOS devices you must enter the PIN before you can download. On the Windows 10 app and Android devices you can start the download without the PIN, but it will block viewing of the restricted content afterwards.

How Do You Recover a Forgotten Netflix PIN

If you can’t remember your PIN there is an easy way to recover it. Your PIN links to your account login email.

Step 1: Under the login number blocks a link will appear saying “Forgot PIN?”

Step 2: A popup will appear with the Netflix Sign In page

Step 3: Enter your password

Step 4: Enter your new PIN and click on “Save Pin”

How to Remove a PIN from Your Netflix Account

Once you have created a Netflix PIN you can’t delete it again. The only way of deactivating it, is to set your parental controls to the highest setting of “Adults” (select the last of the green dots). If the change does not reflect immediately, try to switch between profiles, or sign out and back in again.

Are you a big Netflix fan, but the South African content options frustrate you? By using a VPN you can unlock Netflix America in South Africa. You need to work around the geo-block on the website. But to access Netflix America, you still need to activate an account on the site.

We’ve gathered the best VPN’s to watch Netflix America in South Africa, so that you can use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to expand your Netflix experience.

What is a VPN

A VPN changes your device’s IP address to not be linked to your location. It serves as an encrypted middleman between your device and the internet. All the information exchanged between your device and the internet, becomes encoded in the VPN’s encrypted tunnel.

Although this encryption process can interfere with the browsing speed, you gain cyber safety. Your online privacy is bulletproof when you use a VPN, because your IP address becomes anonymous. This means that an outside source can’t access your location or track your online searches.

Choosing Between a Smart DNS and a VPN

The alternative option to watch Netflix America in South Africa, is to use a Smart DNS service. Both options will hide your device’s location to unlock geo-restricted content. But only the VPN will completely change your IP address.

The Smart DNS service can offer you quicker browsing/streaming speeds. But it can’t offer you the level of cyber safety that a VPN can give you. Because the VPN encrypts information, it affects the browsing/streaming speed. A Smart DNS service only reroutes/redirects a portion of your web traffic.

Related: The Best Smart DNS Proxy to Watch Netflix America in South Africa

Risks of Using a VPN

The biggest risk of a using a VPN provider, is when you choose to use a free VPN. You are allowing a third-party to stand between your device and your online browsing. It’s crucial to know exactly who you are dealing with. By carefully reading a company’s privacy policy, you can make sure that your cyber safety is in good hands.

A VPN provider must clearly state that they do not do any IP logging, or at least as little as possible. The VPN provider needs to adhere to their country’s privacy laws. And some governments require by law a certain amount of user information storage. So make sure you know where the VPN servers are located.

A free VPN service provider can also expose you to a man-in-the-middle-attack. You might think you are connecting directly with a specific website, but before your personal information reaches it, a third party first has access to it. Another issues can be traffic restrictions which will affect your browsing experience.

How to Use a VPN Safely

Rather use a paid VPN service provider. Make sure it has a strong encryption protocol as well as good privacy policies. You can also consider reading reviews from other users, to get a better idea of what the VPN provider will be offering you.

To create a special new IP address for your device, the VPN’s server has to be located in a specific country. Read up about the country’s privacy and cybersecurity laws before committing to using its services. The encryption process is notorious for slowing down the browsing speed. A reputable VPN service provider compensates for this by using top speed servers. Also, make sure that your VPN service provider stipulates a strict zero-logging policy.

The Best VPN’s To Watch Netflix America in South Africa

To directly compare the best VPN’s to Watch Netflix America in South Africa, a few factors are used:

• Reliable service and fast speed
• Zero logs and strong security
• Easy unblocking of geo-restricted content

	Location: 148 locations in 94 countries America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa	Pros: Fast streaming  speeds Excellent class security and built-in privacy features Can unlock a wide range of geo-locked sites User-friendly apps for various device platforms  24/7 support with live chat to well-trained staff	Cons: Pricey when compared to other VPN suppliers for South Africa
	Supported platforms: Windows, Linux MacOS, Android and iOS
	Rating: 9.8
	Cost: $12.95 per month$99.95 for 15 months
	Location: America, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Romania, Russia, Lithuania, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa	Pros: Good budget option for streaming and downloading Can unlock a wide range of geo-locked sites Excellent privacy and security protection Zero-logging	Cons: Desktop app can be tricky to use
	Supported platforms: Android, Windows, iOS and MacOS
	Rating: 9.4
	Cost: $11.95 per month $69 per year
	Location: Canada, Mexico, North America, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Asia India, Indonesia, Japan	Pros: Usually good and stable streaming speeds Does not keep any identifying logs Speeds are mainly fast and stable Unblock Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer	Cons: Limited options for advanced configuration Pricey for the product value received Does not support cryptocurrency payment method.
	Supported platforms: Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS
	Rating: 7.6
	Cost: $9.95 per month $60.00 per year
	Location: North America (57), South America (13), Europe (20), Asia (17), Oceania (7), Africa (9)	Pros Almost no effect on connection speed Good connection stability Money-back Guarantee Free version also available	Cons No extensive database for problem-solving  Limited number of available servers
	Supported platforms: Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS
	Rating: 9.2
	Cost: $6.99 per month $35.88 per year
	Location: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherland, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Turkey, UAE, Iran, New Zealand, Australia	Pros Fast streaming User-friendly interface	Cons Browsing activity is logged, but not linked to you personally No advanced customization options
	Supported platforms: Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS
	Rating: 9.6
	Cost: $12.99 per month $71.88 per month