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This doesn't always work either.

If using Chrome, right click on the "web" link and click "Open link in incognito window". Then find the story link on the google results page and click it. This usually has the best chance of working.

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Is this what it's come to?

Yes. It use to be that sites would let you through the pay wall if you get there via the direct google link. Now that's still the case but with an added caveat that you don't have a cookie from their site too. Incognito ensures you don't have the sites "previous visitor" cookie.

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