A proxy is a high-level tool that allows you to hide your internet protocol (IP) address and use its IP, choose a specific location, and pick from a large pool of proxies. All of these aim to provide you with anonymity, protection, security, and access to restricted content.
And while all proxies follow the above description, some proxies do this better than others. For instance, residential proxies not only act as an intermediary device – receiving, rerouting connections, and returning results – but they do this while assigning you with IPs tied to a physical location. The advantage of this is that it makes the proxy resemble a regular homeowner on the internet.
Summarily, it means you are less likely to get blocked when you use a residential proxy. Let us consider what residential proxies are, their use cases, and their advantages over other types of proxies.
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What Is A Proxy?
A proxy can be defined as an intermediary gateway for passing requests from users to the internet and returning results through the same route. Proxies generally come with their IP, an online identification that allows the internet to correctly identify each user.
With its IP, a proxy can take requests and deliver results without ever exposing a user or compromising their data. But proxies do not just have a single IP address as regular users do; they come equipped with multiple IPs which they can switch randomly or at certain intervals.
This makes proxies such as forward proxies the ideal tools not just for passing communications but also for bypassing restrictions and preventing any form of bans or blockings. In trying to carry out operations in the United States from a restricted region, for instance, the user may use a US proxy to bypass the restrictions successfully.
What Are The Main Proxy Types?
There are different types of proxies, each with its varying features and functions but below are the main types:
- Transparent Proxy Type
This group contains the simplest types of proxies, and just as the name implies, you could see through these proxies or, more precisely, see through the entire user’s information.
The proxy may help transfer communication back and forth, but it does not attempt to protect the user’s information.
- Anonymous Proxy Type
This is another very commonly used group of proxies. They are a favourite because they are great at keeping users anonymous. However, they still identify as proxies while on the internet.
- Public Proxy Types
This group includes all proxies that can be used by just about anyone. It also contains shared proxies that more than one user can use at a time.
The free ones are insecure and highly unreliable, yet people still use them because they cost nothing.
- Private Proxy Types
Most of the proxies that users have to pay before using fall under this category; hence, it is difficult to precisely tell what a private proxy is. It could mean the proxy is dedicated to a user per session or that the proxy requires authentication before it can be used.
Regardless, private proxies have the common advantage of being the most reliable and secure types of proxies. The most common examples are Datacenter and Residential proxies.
Main Use Cases of Residential Proxies
A Residential proxy is a proxy that assigns an IP address tied to a physical location to the user. They are considered the best type of proxies because the above feature makes them resemble a regular internet user while browsing.
So, not only do they confer protection and security, but they also do not resemble proxies on the internet. They can therefore be used in several ways, and below are the most common use cases:
- For Web Scraping
Web scraping includes repetitive actions that help collect numerous amounts of data from several sources. And the key to successful web scraping is constantly switching IPs and locations while looking as human as possible, which is exactly what Residential proxies do.
- For Price Monitoring
Monitoring market prices involves strategies and tools that observe market pricing trends and collect the necessary data quickly and effectively. The strategy ensures that a brand does not overprice or under-price, thereby maintaining customers and profitability.
- For Ad Verification
Checking, verifying, and displaying ads on the right platforms, as well as tracking it to ensure it does not get hijacked, is a serious concept that needs to be done to avoid any damage to brand reputation. And the best way to do this is by using the IPs supplied by a Residential proxy.
- For Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
Geo-restrictions often attempt to prevent certain users from gaining access to certain websites. Residential proxies are used to bypass this effectively. For example, a user can use a US proxy with Residential IPs to scale past any geo-restrictions that prevent him from accessing the content in the US.
Advantages of Residential Proxies over Other Proxy Types
Now that we know what a Residential proxy is and the many ways it can be used, let us see the advantages it has over other types of proxies:
- It offers the best online anonymity and privacy
- It makes it less likely to get blocked or banned during online operations
- It is perfect for bypassing geo-restrictions
- It is the safest and most secure type of proxy
- It also offers faster connections and fewer timeouts
- It can be used in sneaker copping
- It is the best fit for managing multiple social media accounts
Conclusion
In today’s highly competitive market, only the best tools need to be put to use not just to keep a brand in the competition but way ahead of its opponents. A Residential proxy is one of such tools as it offers users a world of advantages, with the only demerit being that it may cost you some money. But then again, if you consider all of the benefits, you may see how it is all worth it.
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