A proxy server receives a user’s request, sends it to the website, and returns a response. The website sees the proxy’s IP address, not the device’s original address. This system provides control over connection sources, routes, and access rules to external resources.
Proxies are used in situations where a direct connection is inconvenient or risky: for example, to distribute traffic across different IP addresses, limit contact with the external environment, stabilize mass requests, or verify search results or content from different regions.
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How does a proxy connection work?
The client program, browser, or script specifies the proxy address, port, and, if necessary, authorization credentials. Requests are then routed through the specified exit point. The connection mechanics remain the same: the request is generated the same as with a direct connection, but on the external network, the source is the proxy’s IP address, not the user’s device.
In real-world use, connection quality depends on several factors. It’s convenient to consider them in groups, as each has its own impact on connection reliability and performance under load.
List:
- Network parameters — IP address, subnet, provider, and routing features that affect connection latency and stability;
- Protocol characteristics — connection format, authorization support, and port restrictions;
- Operating conditions — limits, address change rules, and availability control.
For tasks involving automated requests and APIs, proxy quality is crucial, while in normal use its impact is almost imperceptible.
Main differences
Proxies are classified according to several criteria. The main ones are listed below.
By access model
If the connection to a proxy is protected by authorization, such as a login and password or another access control mechanism, such proxies are called private.
Private proxies are divided into two categories:
- Personal proxies – access to the server is provided to a single client, and the IP address is used exclusively by that client;
- Shared proxies – access to the server is shared between multiple clients, and the number of simultaneous or allowed sessions is regulated by the plan terms and service rules.
In addition to private proxies, there are also open proxies. They don’t require authorization and don’t restrict access. Anyone with a server address can connect to them. For commercial purposes, it makes sense to purchase personal proxies, as shared and open options don’t provide the necessary control.
By source of IP addresses
In addition to the access model, proxies are differentiated by the source of their IP addresses. This parameter determines how the external service perceives the connection: whether it’s a server, a regular home internet user, or a mobile device. This determines restrictions imposed by web platforms and application scenarios.
Based on the origin of their IP addresses, the following types are distinguished:
- Server (data center) proxies – IP addresses of hosting providers and data centers. These are suitable for technical tasks, automation, testing, and mass requests, but are often quickly recognized by websites as non-user traffic;
- Residential proxies – IP addresses issued by internet service providers to regular clients. These appear to be home or office connections and are used when a higher level of trust from online resources is important;
- Mobile proxies – IP addresses of cellular operators – are considered the most “natural” for web platforms and perform well against strict anti-bot filters and throttling.
The access model is responsible for connection control, and the IP source is responsible for how traffic is treated by external services.
Where are proxies needed in practice?
In practical applications, they are used as an infrastructure tool to scale calls to external services and separate traffic flows.
Typical application conditions:
- Open source data collection — catalog parsing, price monitoring, availability checking, product card analysis;
- Testing and quality control — checking search results geography, localization, regional prices, content, and redirects;
- Marketing and analytics — monitoring advertising, search results, ad visibility, and competitor analysis;
- Multi-accounting without breaking the rules — distributing production accounts across different IP addresses in situations where processes are legal, but services prohibit multiple logins from a single address;
- Security and isolation — separating research environments, sandboxes, and automation from the main corporate network.
Essentially, proxies are needed to separate the sources of requests. The specific type is selected based on how services restrict connections and which IP addresses they consider acceptable.
How to choose a proxy for business
Choosing a proxy for commercial purposes begins not with the IP type, but with connection requirements. At this stage, the terms of the target services are analyzed and a provider with the required characteristics is selected.
Key criteria:
- Access control — proxies should be private or limited to a limited number of users to prevent IP addresses from being affected by other people’s activity;
- IP origin — data center, residential, or mobile addresses are selected depending on which traffic sources are acceptable for the target service;
- Pool size and structure — availability of a sufficient number of IP addresses and the ability to replace them without interrupting processes;
- Geography — the appropriateness of regions for the tasks, including country, city, or network type;
- Connection quality — guaranteed speed and no bandwidth degradation under load;
- Service — IP replacement policies, rental period, technical support, and clear terms from the provider.
In modern online projects with high traffic volumes and automated requests, a single IP address is no longer sufficient. Requests increase, connections multiply, and platform rules become stricter. Requests typically need to be distributed across multiple IP addresses to maintain sufficient speed and availability. Proxies are becoming essential for complying with platform rules and maintaining infrastructure operability.
