Digital Access FAQ
Thank you for being a reader of the Santa Cruz Sentinel. We’re proud to bring you the work of Northern California’s largest news team as we continue a long tradition of aggressive, serious journalism that makes a difference in our communities.
All readers of the SantaCruzSentinel.com website have access to a limited number of articles over a 30-day period. Once you’ve reached your article limit, you’ll be asked to do one of three things:
LOG IN: If you already have a username and password for managing your subscription account, you’ll be able to use them to log in. If you are a current print or digital subscriber and you are receiving messages about article limits, this means you are not logged in to our website and should do so by clicking “Log In.’’
ACTIVATE: If you’re a print or digital subscriber but you don’t have (or don’t remember) your username and password, click “Activate” to set them up and get your unlimited online access to our news content.
SUBSCRIBE: If you’re not a current subscriber, you’ll be allowed to see several stories at no charge but will then be asked to join the many people who are supporting our journalism by signing up for a subscription.
Q: Why does the Santa Cruz Sentinel require a subscription for complete digital access?
The expenses associated with creating unique, original local news content are significant. In recent years, we have made much of our work available online at no cost. The current economics of our business make that impractical, so regular digital visitors who are not subscribers will be asked to subscribe to help support the cost of our important work.
If you’re one of our many customers who already pay for home delivery and/or online access to our E-Edition, we appreciate your ongoing support for quality local journalism. You’ll continue to have unlimited access to all our digital content as part of your subscription – just log in or activate your account.
We will continue to offer occasional visitors a limited number of free article views. But if you are a regular reader – and we hope that you are – then you will want to subscribe to ensure you continue to have unlimited access to the local news and information that matters to you.
Q: What is included in my Digital Access subscription?
The all-access pass to digital content includes:
- Unlimited, exclusive Santa Cruz Sentinel journalism from our reporters and photographers.
- Daily delivery of the E-Edition, a digital replica of the Santa Cruz Sentinel print edition.
- Unlimited access with the Santa Cruz Sentinel mobile for iOS or Android phones and tablets.
- Access to our exclusive Membership Rewards program.
As a special benefit, your subscription also provides unlimited access to the Mercury News, East Bay Times, and Marin Independent Journal websites, giving you the most comprehensive news coverage in the Bay Area.
Q: How much does a digital subscription cost?
You can see that information on our subscription page.
Q: What is the difference between Unlimited Digital Access and Basic Digital Access?
- Print and All Access includes Print, Unlimited Website, eEdition, Mobile App – News and Mobile
App – eEdition. - Print and Basic Digital includes Print, eEdition and Mobile App – eEdition.
- Print Only does not include any digital access.
Q: How do I manage my Santa Cruz Sentinel subscription?
Manage your subscription through the myaccount.santacruzsentinel.com site. After logging in or creating an account, you can update your mailing address, your payment information, and more.
Q: If I am paying for access, will I still see ads on the website?
Yes. Subscriptions alone do not cover the costs of producing quality local news, and our advertisers — many of them local Bay Area businesses — provide readers with useful shopping information on deals, new products and more. Supporting these advertisers helps us provide news coverage from the Bay Area and beyond at an affordable price.
Q. What is included in an ad-free subscription?
An Ad-free, or Premium, subscription gives digital subscribers all the same benefits of Digital Access as well as access to SantaCruzSentinel.com free of third-party digital advertisements. Exceptions apply. It does not include sponsored content in the form of articles, legal public notices, newsletter sign-up forms or direct subscription offers. Advertisements are also still displayed in email newsletters, the replica E-Edition, video players from CNN and YouTube, the mobile app, and the printed newspaper.
Q: How will I know when I reach my story limit? Can I track the number of stories I have already read?
As you read through stories on the website, on-screen notifications will tell you when you’ve reached your limit. You will be asked to log in or subscribe once you have reached your monthly limit.
Q: If I go back and read an article I’ve already read, will that count toward my limit?
No. If you view an article you have already read recently, it will not count again toward your limit.
Q: How can I get more information about my subscription?
Please contact Subscriber Services at 1-831-706-3201 for assistance. Business hours are from 7am-3pm (PST) Monday through Friday, and 7am-10:30am Sunday. You can also visit myaccount.santacruzsentinel.com for more information or to manage your account.
Q: What is your cancellation and refund policy?
You may cancel or modify your subscription at any time by calling Subscriber Services at 1-831-706-3201. Your cancellation will become effective at the end of your current billing period. You will not receive a refund; your subscription access and/or delivery and accompanying subscriber benefits will continue for the remainder of your current billing period.