One of the main techniques for reducing web scraper block rates is rotating IP addresses. This practice can increase success rates and make various data collection jobs much easier. Companies use rotating proxies for different use cases, including SEO monitoring and data analysis.
This article will explain what an IP address rotation is and how it works. You’ll also find information about different IP rotation methods and learn what proxies are the best when you need rotating IPs.
What is IP Address Rotation?
IP address rotation means distributing assigned IP addresses to a device at random or scheduled intervals.
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns a single IP address to a device when a connection to the ISP is active. In case of a disconnection or reconnection, the ISP distributes the next available IP address. Rotating IP is also called a dynamic IP address.
ISPs usually have many IP addresses at their disposal. When one user disconnects, the user’s latest IP address is returned to the pool of IP addresses, and the following available IP address is assigned to the user. IP rotation ensures that the existing ISP’s resources are being used at an optimal rate.
Rotating proxy
Similarly to ISPs rotating user IP addresses, users can rotate their own IPs whenever needed by choosing rotating proxies. Rotating proxies come from a proxy server and enable users to have more control over various tasks, for example, web crawling or data scraping.
To rotate proxies, a proxy server assigns a new IP from a pool of proxies for every connection or at set intervals. This means that if you're sending a hundred requests to any targets, you can get a hundred different IP addresses.
Sending requests from different IP addresses helps appear as multiple organic users coming from multiple locations rather than bots. Proxy rotation reduces the chances of web scrapers getting blocked while gathering public data from the web.
Why Rotate IP Address?
Companies and individual users rotate IP addresses for numerous reasons. However, the main reason for rotating IPs is to avoid IP blocks. Sending too many requests to the target from the same IP address can flag the IP as suspicious and get it blocked. This may interrupt or completely stop important data gathering jobs.
Some of the most popular use cases for rotating proxies are:
SEO monitoring — companies that work with SEO monitoring use rotating IPs to check keyword rankings in different locations.
Data analysis — gathering public data helps companies make data-driven business decisions, track various trends, and monitor competitors. This data is collected by utilising rotating proxies.
Geo-restrictions — one of the main reasons why people and companies use proxies is to bypass geo-restrictions. Rotating IPs allow bypassing these restrictions without getting blocked.
Web scraping — gathering data with a single static IP address is the shortest way to getting that IP blocked. IP rotation can ensure that scraping jobs don’t get interrupted.
Web crawling — similarly to web scraping, crawling also requires constant IP rotation to avoid IP blocks.
Methods for Rotating IP Address
IP rotation has various methods that depend on how long you wish to keep the same IP address for. Here are the main IP rotation methods:
Pre-configured rotation — Pre-configured or pre-set rotation allows rotating IPs at set intervals. Once the specified time passes, the user gets a new IP address assigned to them.
Specific rotation — Once the user’s connection to the ISP ends or refreshes, the ISP assigns a new rotating IP address to the user.
Random IP rotation — Every request that the user sends comes from a new randomly assigned IP address. The user has no control over what IP gets assigned to them.
Burst IP rotation — ISPs rotate the IP addresses after every specific number of requests. For example, if the settings specify that IP should rotate after ten requests, the 11th request will be sent from a different IP. And then, after another ten requests, the IP will be changed again.
Residential Proxies for Flawless IP Rotation
Residential proxies are the best choice for proxy rotation. These IPs appear as regular internet users because they come from an internet service provider. Users can connect to the residential proxy server and rotate proxies at various intervals or with every request.
When it comes to rotating proxy, one of the main advantages of residential IPs is the size of the proxy pool. You can choose a proxy provider with a large pool of residential proxies and never worry about getting the same IP twice if you don’t want it.
For example, Metrow has over 10M residential proxies coming from everywhere around the world. This means that if you need to access content that’s only available in a very specific geographical area, you can find multiple IP addresses that will get you access to that location.
Residential proxies are much harder to block because they appear as regular internet users. And target websites don’t want to block organic traffic, so rotating residential IPs can ensure a much higher success rate than other types of proxies.
Conclusion
Dynamic IP addresses change with every new connection or at set intervals. This means that an internet service provider assigns the user a new IP address from a pool of multiple IPs.
IP address rotation can help in various cases. Companies rotate IP addresses for SEO monitoring, public data gathering, web crawling, and other tasks. Proxy rotation ensures that users can access data that may not be available in their region due to geo-restrictions. Another reason for using rotating proxies is to reduce IP block rates.
The best solution for rotating IPs is residential proxies. These proxies come from an internet service provider and appear as organic internet users. Therefore, they’re less likely to get blocked.
When choosing a rotating proxy, make sure you work with a proxy provider that has a large proxy pool. Only then can you expect to get reliable IPs from various locations around the world.
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