Getting Started with Proxies
Learn what proxies are, why they matter for data collection, and how to pick the right starting setup.
How to evaluate this topic
- • Start with the target, not the provider: logins, geo checks, anti-bot sensitivity, and data volume decide the proxy type.
- • Use datacenter for cheap discovery, residential or ISP for protected pages, and mobile only when platform reputation truly requires it.
- • Treat any provider recommendation as a test plan until success rate, block rate, and unit cost are measured on the actual target.
Common mistakes
- • Buying a large pool before running a 100-request pilot.
- • Mixing login sessions with per-request rotation.
- • Comparing providers by advertised IP pool size without checking targeting, rotation, replacement, and refund rules.
Full guide
What a proxy actually does
A proxy sits between your scraper and the target site. It changes the IP address seen by the target, helps distribute traffic, and reduces blocks.
When you need a proxy
- You make repeated requests to the same site
- You need to access geo-restricted content
- You collect data at scale
Quick setup checklist
- Pick a proxy type (residential for reliability, datacenter for speed)
- Decide rotation strategy (per request vs sticky sessions)
- Set a conservative request rate
- Track success rate and block rate
Common beginner mistakes
- Using one IP for everything
- Ignoring robots.txt and site terms
- Sending bursts of traffic without throttling
Next steps
- Explore Residential vs Datacenter
- Read Web Scraping Best Practices
- Compare providers on the Providers page
Recommended providers
These picks match the guide intent first, then product fit. Raw proxy vendors and scraping-tool workflows are kept separate where the buying problem changes.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. Learn more
Bright Data
residentialEnterprise-grade residential coverage for scale, geo targeting, and compliance-sensitive scraping.
Best when access reliability and auditability matter more than lowest unit price.
Visit Bright DataSoax
residentialReliable residential & mobile pools with flexible rotation control.
Good fit for buyers comparing residential and mobile product pages side by side.
Visit SoaxDecodo
residentialSMB-friendly proxy network formerly known as Smartproxy, with broad proxy-type coverage.
Use Decodo as the current brand while preserving Smartproxy search intent.
Visit DecodoRelated use cases
Use these pages when you want a more target-specific checklist than a broad guide can provide.