What is a Residential Proxy - Quick Start Guide

People prefer using residential proxies for daily online activities compared to datacenter proxies. Websites often trust these proxies more because they mimic the behavior of real users.

So, what exactly is a residential proxy, and why do so many people choose them? In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know to get started with residential proxies.

Residential Proxies Meaning

A residential proxy is an IP address provided to a homeowner by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). These proxies are tied to a physical location and are indistinguishable from regular user traffic, making them ideal for tasks that require a high degree of trust and anonymity.

How Residential Proxies Work

When you use a residential proxy, your internet traffic is routed through a residential IP address. This means that websites and services will see the request coming from a legitimate household rather than a datacenter, which is often flagged as suspicious.

Use Cases for Residential Proxies

• Web scraping from websites without getting blocked.
• Bypass regional blocks on streaming services, websites, or apps.
• Ad verification to ensure that your ads are showing correctly in different regions.
• Conduct market research and price monitoring.

Residential Proxies vs. Datacenter Proxies

Summary

• Choose Residential Proxies if you need high anonymity and are accessing sensitive or heavily protected sites.
• Choose Datacenter Proxies if you want faster speeds and are working with less sensitive data or sites.

Types of Residential Proxies

When shopping for residential proxies, you’ll come across four main types: rotating residential proxies and static residential proxies (also known as ISP proxies), shared residential proxies, and dedicated residential proxies. Here we list the differences between these types for your quicker knowledge.

Rotating Residential Proxies

These proxies constantly change their IP addresses after each request or after a set time period. This makes them ideal for tasks where you need to mimic multiple users, such as large-scale web scraping or accessing content that requires several IPs to avoid detection.

Best for tasks where you need to mimic multiple users:

• Web scraping: Rotating proxies reduce the risk of getting blocked by frequently changing the IP address.
• SEO monitoring: Track keyword rankings across different regions using rotating IPs.

Static Residential Proxies (ISP Proxies)

Unlike rotating proxies, static residential proxies maintain the same IP address throughout your session.

Best for tasks where maintaining a consistent online identity is important:

• Social media management: Static proxies allow you to manage multiple accounts without raising suspicion.
• E-commerce: Ensure consistent access to platforms that might flag rapidly changing IPs as suspicious.

Shared Residential Proxies

Shared residential proxies are IP addresses that are used by multiple users simultaneously. These proxies are often more cheap because the cost is distributed among several users.

Best for tasks where cost is a concern:

• Web scraping: For low-volume scraping tasks where speed is not a critical factor.
• Basic browsing: Suitable for general web use without the need for high anonymity.

Dedicated Residential Proxies

Dedicated residential proxies are IP addresses assigned to a single user. This means that only one person or entity uses the proxy at any given time.

Best for tasks requiring high performance and security:

• Sensitive data scraping: Ideal for scraping sensitive information where anonymity is crucial.
• Social media management: Perfect for managing multiple accounts without the risk of getting flagged.

How to Use Residential Proxies

Set Up Residential Proxies Step-by-Step

1. Purchase a Residential Proxy: Choose a reliable residential proxy provider.

2. Configure Your Device or Application: Depending on your use case (e.g., web scraping, sneaker bots), set up the proxy in your software or browser settings.

3. Test the Proxy: Ensure the proxy is working correctly by checking your IP address online.

Tips:

Rotate IPs frequently: If scraping, use rotating proxies to avoid detection.

Ensure compatibility: Some websites may block certain proxies, so always test your setup before committing to a task.

Can You Use Residential Proxies Anywhere?

Yes, people can use residential proxies from almost anywhere in the world. However, the effectiveness of their use can depend on several factors:

• Geographic Availability

Residential proxies are tied to specific IP addresses that correspond to real residential locations. Users can select proxies from various locations to access content as if they were browsing from those areas.

• Internet Access

As long as you have an internet connection, you can typically use residential proxies. But the quality and speed may vary based on the proxy provider and the specific IP.

Are They Legal?

Residential proxies are generally legal to use, but it depends on several factors:

The legality of using residential proxies can be complex and varies by jurisdiction. Here are some key points to consider:

• General Legality

In many countries, using proxies for legitimate purposes (like privacy protection or accessing restricted content) is legal. However, this can vary based on local laws.

• Terms of Service Violations

Many websites have terms of service that prohibit the use of proxies to access their content. Using residential proxies to bypass these restrictions could result in account bans or legal action from the website.

• Fraudulent Activities

Using residential proxies for illegal activities, such as hacking, fraud, or spamming, is illegal and can lead to severe legal consequences.

• Data Protection Laws

In regions with strict data protection laws (like GDPR in the EU), using proxies to collect data without consent can lead to legal issues.

You can use residential proxies from anywhere, but please be aware of the legal implications and ensure that your usage complies with local laws and the terms of service of the websites you access. Always use residential proxies responsibly and ethically.

How to Check if a Proxy Is Residential

One of the biggest concerns when purchasing proxies is ensuring that they’re truly residential. Some providers may offer datacenter proxies disguised as residential proxies. Here’s how to check:

• Verification Tools

You can use online tools like IPinfo or Whoer.net to check the type of proxy you’re using. These tools will provide detailed information about the IP address, including whether it’s tied to a residential ISP or a data center.

• Manual Method

Another way to verify if a proxy is residential is by looking up the IP address’s ASN (Autonomous System Number). Residential proxies will usually have an ASN that corresponds to an ISP, while datacenter proxies will have an ASN tied to a cloud provider.

How to Get Residential Proxies

There are several ways to obtain residential proxies, depending on your requirements and budget.

Free Residential Proxies

While there are some free proxy services available, they often come with drawbacks like slow speeds, limited bandwidth, and security risks. Free proxies are generally not recommended for serious tasks like scraping or managing sensitive accounts.

Buying Residential Proxies

For most use cases, purchasing proxies from a reputable provider is the best option. Look for providers that offer a residential proxy trial so you can test the service before committing.

MacroProxy cares about customers' experience. For worry-free purchases, you could contact our sales team to get the testing chance. Contact now!

How Long Do Residential Proxies Last?

The lifespan of a residential proxy depends on the provider and the plan you choose. Some proxies are available for a limited time (e.g., during a scraping session), while others can be used for extended periods, especially if they are static residential proxies.

Choose MacroProxy to Buy Quality but Cheap Residential Proxies

Residential proxies offer a powerful way to maintain privacy, access restricted content, and scrape data without getting blocked. Whether you need a rotating or static residential proxy, it's crucial to choose a provider that offers high-quality IPs, good customer support, and competitive pricing.

Unlock the full potential of residential proxies with MacroProxy. Contact us today to find the customized proxy solution for your needs. Test our residential proxy and experience the difference!