The Internet is an excellent tool for information. It’s the way most of us work and find entertainment. However, we’re not harnessing the full benefit of the web without proxies.
This article will explain the need for residential proxies and how they will help you work better and smarter.
All You Need To Know About Residential Proxies
Now, it’s important to note that there are a few different types of proxies. For simplicity’s sake, let’s look at two main varieties: residential and data center proxies. For true anonymity online, opt for the former.
What Is a Residential Proxy
Proxies act as intermediaries for traffic between your devices and the web servers to which you connect. You can use them for games, applications, and websites.
When you use a proxy, your internet traffic appears to originate from the proxy’s location. Therefore, if your proxy holds a US IP address, your browsing activity will look like an American’s.
You can use proxies on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device. They provide anonymity and allow access to geo-blocked content.
If you’re an avid surfer, you’d have encountered instances where a video was unavailable in your location. That problem will be a thing of the past with proxies.
People opt for residential proxies over the data center type because they’re more flexible. They’re connected to home ISP connections.
This makes them highly anonymous — better capable of hiding that you’re using a proxy. The chances of a web server blocking your connection is much lower.
So, what does a residential proxy actually do? First, let’s look at a few of its functions.
- Directs your data through an intermediary device
- Funnels your traffic through a computer with a residential internet service provider account
- Hides your actual internet protocol address from web servers
- Makes your web requests appear as if they come from an actual user from another location
- Decreases the chance of a server identifying and blocking your proxy connection
Cases for Residential Proxy Use
While residential proxies are excellent for business, they’re also beneficial for everyday use. They help us get around restrictions and aid in automation. Let’s look at some common applications;
- Web scraping
In business, data is king. When you have information, you know how the market will react and what trends will drive buying decisions. So how do you obtain this critical data? Web scraping is the easiest method. You can grab rows and rows of information with a few lines of code (a bot). This data can pertain to airplane ticket prices, customer opinions on restaurants, etc. However, a bot isn’t enough. Pair it with a residential proxy and you’ll have free rein and escape web admin blocks.
- Brand protection
With all its benefits, the Internet also comes with its bad players. Avoid copycats trying to imitate your brand with malicious ads and fake products. Residential proxies help with that. These allow you to pose as a typical internet user. As one, you’ll be able to verify ads on your web pages. When you see any that don’t help your business, block them.
- Price monitoring
Competition is tough in any business. Rival companies are always ready to pounce on your prospects. With that in mind, you should always price your products and services well. If you charge too much, consumers will go elsewhere. On the other hand, listing a low rate will create doubts in your clients’ minds. Do things the smart way – use sales intelligence tools with residential proxies.
- Shopping
Have you ever tried buying a limited-edition item only to discover that it’s out of stock? Sneakers, concert tickets, and high-fashion attire are some examples of products that are hard to get. These things go on sale and run out a mere few minutes later. To not miss out on the fun, use residential proxies with bots. These tools will help you beat every other customer.
- Social media management
Every brand needs to make itself known on the Internet. Besides having a well-designed website, one also needs to manage a few social media accounts. Escape any multi-profile restriction imposed by Facebook, Twitter, etc., with proxies. With a residential proxy, you’ll have no issues increasing your follows and likes.
- Seamless searching
Websites aren’t the only things with IP restrictions. Sometimes, search engines may find your traffic suspicious. Sometimes, you’re just searching for a repeated item and may exceed a set limit. Erase any limitation set by Google or Bing with residential proxies. Then, when you avoid usage mistakes, you’ll have constant unrestricted access to data.
- Access to geo-blocked content
Sometimes, you may be in a country or on a network that doesn’t allow certain content. For example, if you were in London, you may be unable to load jezebel.com. To overcome this issue, use residential United Kingdom proxies. They will give you unfettered access to the web.
Types of Residential Proxies
Residential proxies generally come in two forms: dedicated and rotating. Both types are great for anonymity, but one might be better than the other in some instances. Here is a detailed explanation.
- Dedicated proxies
As its name suggests, this type of proxy is yours alone. You don’t have to share it with anybody else. As a result, you won’t have to suffer IP clashes.
- Rotating proxies
For added anonymity, use rotating proxies. These are a pool of residential proxies you can switch between. If you’re choosing this route, make sure to go for a provider with a big pool size. This way, you won’t clash with anyone else.
Price of Residential Proxy
Depending on your provider, you can expect to pay about $2.50 for a dedicated proxy. Some companies charge about $0.80 per GB of traffic. By contrast, data center proxies go for about half that price. That difference goes to show the value of residential proxies.
Residential Proxies: The Way Forward
Residential proxies are the way to go if you want to make surfing the web much more enjoyable. They’re the best method to stay anonymous and private. Many vendors offer them, but not all deliver outstanding service. To avoid disappointment, check out the reviews.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.