A proxy is a server that sits between your device and the internet. Proxies handle requests from your device and forward them to the internet, which replaces your real IP address with that of the proxy server, hiding your true identity and allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions.
Backconnect proxies follow the same process as forward proxies, but instead of using a single static IP address, they use a pool of rotating IP addresses (which is why backconnect proxies are sometimes also called rotating proxies). By rotating IP addresses, a backconnect proxy makes it challenging for websites and anti-proxy tools to track or block your original IP address.
Backconnect proxies are useful for web scraping activities like market research or ad verification that are otherwise challenging due to bot or IP blocks.
- How do backconnect proxies work?
- Backconnect proxy uses and benefits
- How to choose a backconnect proxy
How do backconnect proxies work?
The key feature of backconnect proxies is IP rotation. Each new proxy server you connect to has a different IP address that is used to forward requests to the website you are visiting. Because the website can’t see your real IP address, and the IP address you are using keeps changing, it can’t know that your requests are coming from the same place.
The process of using a backconnect proxy follows these steps:
- You connect to a proxy server
- The proxy server receives your request to access a website
- The server passes your request through one of the many proxies in the backconnect network, giving it a temporary IP address before forwarding it to the website
- The website returns the information you have requested to you via the same proxy server
- The proxy provider automatically assigns a different IP address for each new request (or at specified intervals)
- Each time you make a new request, the website returns the information to you via the proxy server that made the request
Using a backconnect proxy helps you to evade bot blocks and IP blocks. Anti-bot measures usually block multiple requests coming from the same IP address, so the rotating nature of backconnect proxy IP addresses can prevent websites from noticing automated requests.
Backconnect proxy uses and benefits
Backconnect proxies use very large IP pools, which makes it easier for you to complete large projects that require multiple IP addresses.
Web scraping
Backconnect proxies are primarily used for web scraping; meaning they are used to automatically extract information at scale from websites and other online resources. Backconnect proxies are particularly useful when you want to scrape websites without being detected by the anti-bot measures some websites employ, such as CAPTCHAs and IP bans.
Market research
You can also use backconnect proxies for market research, as they allow you to monitor websites discreetly. For example, you could connect to a backconnect proxy to record prices on a competitor’s website. Without the use of a backconnect proxy, the competitor may realize they are being surveilled and take measures to block your IP address, or could even manipulate their prices in response. When you use multiple IP addresses to conduct this kind of market research, it becomes more difficult for your competitor to know that you are accessing their data.
Social media management
Many companies use multiple social media accounts for brand visibility and customer outreach. However, some social media platforms restrict the number of accounts that you can access from a single IP address. If you access your social media accounts from multiple IP addresses, you can distribute your activity across various IP addresses and avoid triggering these platform limits.
How to choose a backconnect proxy
If you think you could benefit from using backconnect proxies in your business, there are several factors to consider when choose a provider:
- Reliability and speed
- Geographical coverage
- IP rotation options
- Scalability
Reliability and speed
Look for providers with a stable network and low latency to ensure you are not needlessly slowed down or blocked when gathering data. Online proxy reviews websites such as G2 can help to show you which providers have a reputation for speed and effectiveness.
Geographical coverage
Most providers will list the countries they can provide IP addresses for. For example, at SOAX we list all our locations on our website. If you need to conduct market research in a specific country, make sure the provider you choose has a good number of servers in that country.
IP rotation options
Make sure you understand how the proxy provider handles IP rotation. For example, proxy rotation can be automatic, manual, or it may give you the option to decide yourself. Where proxy rotation is automatic, learn how frequently it occurs, or whether you can set a frequency yourself. At SOAX, we give you multiple options for IP rotation so you can set your own preferences.
Scalability
As your business and your requirements grow, consider whether your proxy provider will be able to meet your backconnect proxy demands. Look for providers with a large pool of ethically sourced IP addresses that serve other large businesses, so you can be sure the provider can continue to support you while you grow.
Rotating proxies with SOAX
At SOAX, we provide access to a huge pool of more than 150M IP addresses, with full power over how often they rotate. Our automatically rotating residential proxies can avoid restrictions, bot blocks, and interruptions (such as CAPTCHAs) when web scraping. If you get stuck, our global team of expert support specialists will be on hand to help you around the clock.
Sign up for a 3-day trial for just $1.99.
