How to Use a Proxy

Whether you're a marketplace seller, a data analyst, or a developer building automated tools for e-commerce operations, understanding how to use proxies with eBay and Amazon is essential for working at scale. Both platforms are among the most technically protected online marketplaces in the world – they deploy multi-layer anti-bot systems, IP reputation scoring, rate limiting, and behavioral analysis to control automated access.

Without a well-configured proxy setup, large-scale data collection, price monitoring, and automation tasks become impossible. A proxy acts as an intermediary between your scraper or automated tool and the target platform, routing your requests through a different IP address and making each request appear as organic traffic. This guide will walk you through the key use cases, how to choose the right proxy type, and how to configure your tools for reliable, uninterrupted marketplace operations.

Choosing the right proxy type is one of the most important decisions for any online project. Whether you need to scrape data, manage multiple accounts, the differences between residential and datacenter proxies will directly affect your results. This comparison guide from Proxys.io covers datacenter vs residential proxies in detail, helping you select the best proxy technology for your particular use cases.

What Are Datacenter Proxies?

Datacenter proxies are IP addresses hosted in commercial data centers and operated independently of any internet service provider. Datacenter proxies use server-based infrastructure to route your traffic through high-performance machines. Datacenter IPs come from blocks assigned to hosting companies, which means they are not tied to a physical household or a real residential internet connection.

What Is Data Parsing and How It Works

Data parsing has become one of the most essential operations in modern information processing. At its core, data parsing is the process of taking raw, unstructured or semi-structured data and transforming it into a format that systems and people can work with. Parsing is a crucial step in any workflow that depends on accurate, timely information – from e-commerce analytics to financial reporting.

So what does data parsing means in practical terms? Data parsing is converting a string of data from one format into another that is easier to process. Parsing involves breaking input data into smaller pieces, labeling each piece, and reassembling the result data into a more readable and usable structure. The output is clean information ready for storage or downstream use.

Running a single account is easy; operating tens without getting flagged is a demanding feat. One that exposes the core challenge of today’s internet.

The reality is simple: web platforms don’t rely on IP tracking alone anymore. They combine IP signals with a layered set of hardware, software, and rendering traits that can’t be cleared like cookies. Once these signals align across accounts, platforms can connect activity instantly. This technique is called Browser fingerprinting.

Even with strong proxies, the same fingerprint can expose multiple accounts. This is exactly where Incogniton becomes essential. It adds a second layer of privacy protection by providing a fully-isolated browser, masking these fingerprints and closing the gap that proxies alone can’t fill.

Ever wondered how Google finds every webpage out there, or how a price comparison site gathers data from dozens of online stores? The answer lies in two distinct techniques: web crawling and web scraping. These terms often get mixed up, but they actually refer to different processes. In short, web scraping is about extracting specific data from websites, whereas web crawling is focused on discovering and indexing pages across the web. Both are essential in the world of data gathering, but they serve different purposes. Let’s dive into what each one means and how they differ, in a way that’s clear even for a non-developer yet detailed enough for a technical reader.

SOAX is a well-known provider of residential proxies, but it’s not the only option. Many users seek alternatives that offer better pricing, support, or features. Proxys.io is one such alternative – a proxy service with a vast global network and strong customer support. Below we compare Proxys.io vs SOAX, highlight other popular SOAX competitors, and explain why Proxys.io’s residential proxies stand out.

Residential Proxies: Proxys.io vs SOAX

Both Proxys.io and SOAX offer large rotating residential proxy networks with worldwide coverage, but they differ in scale, flexibility, and some key features:

ProxyEmpire is a well-known provider of residential proxies, but it’s not the only option available. Many users seek alternatives that offer better features, support, or overall value for their specific needs. Proxys.io is one such alternative – a proxy service with a vast global IP network and a focus on customer satisfaction. In this article, we compare Proxys.io vs ProxyEmpire, discuss other top ProxyEmpire competitors, and explain why Proxys.io’s residential proxies stand out as a strong choice.

Residential Proxies: Proxys.io vs ProxyEmpire

Both Proxys.io and ProxyEmpire offer rotating residential proxy networks, but they differ in network scale, pricing models, and key features:

IPRoyal is a well-known provider of residential proxies, but it’s not the only option. Many users often seek alternatives that offer better features, support, or value. Proxys.io is one such alternative – a proxy service with a vast global network and strong customer support. In this article, we compare Proxys.io vs IPRoyal, discuss other top IPRoyal competitors, and explain why Proxys.io’s residential proxies stand out.

Oxylabs is one of the leading proxy providers, known for its massive proxy network and enterprise-grade solutions. In fact, Oxylabs offers access to over 102 million IP addresses across 195 countries, making it a top choice for large-scale data gathering. However, its premium services come at a premium price and complexity. Oxylabs primarily targets well-funded business clients, and its pricing is at the upper end of the market – a potential barrier for smaller companies. If you’re seeking Oxylabs-like capabilities without the steep costs or enterprise-oriented setup, there are several alternatives. Proxys.io is a standout option that provides comparable residential proxy features at a more accessible price point, alongside other reputable providers. Below we compare Proxys.io vs Oxylabs and highlight other popular Oxylabs alternatives in the proxy industry.

To use a proxy in Puppeteer, launch the browser with the --proxy-server=HOST:PORT option so that all requests go through the proxy’s address. If the proxy requires authentication, provide the username and password via page.authenticate() before loading any pages. This ensures Puppeteer’s traffic is routed through the proxy’s IP, masking your real address.

What Is a Proxy in Puppeteer?

A proxy acts as a middleman between your Puppeteer script and the target website. In Puppeteer, using a proxy means your browser traffic is routed through a different server/IP address. This helps hide your real IP and can prevent blocks and avoid triggering anti-scraping measures on websites.

Setting Up a Proxy in Puppeteer

To configure Puppeteer to use a proxy server, follow these steps: