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Welcome to Smartproxy Blog!

Build knowledge on everything proxies, or pick up some dope ideas for your next project – this is just the right place for that.

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Smartproxy Web Scraping Webinar: Save Your Team’s Time and Costs

Does web scraping take too much of your and your team's time? Struggling to balance efficiency with cost-effectiveness? Well, we’ve got great news for all you tech enthusiasts! Smartproxy is hosting an exclusive webinar, “Web Scraping Efficiently: Save Your Team’s Time and Costs”...

5 min. read
Maria Shisterova
Maria Shisterova
November 23, 2023

Maximizing eCommerce Success: Leverage Data from Customer Insights & Trends for Your Brand's Growth

Since its first hints in the 1960s, eCommerce has been accelerating at unprecedented rates. And you don’t need to dig deep; just look at the recent online market statistics – it grew from $1.47T in 2017 to $3.65T in 2023. Today's online market is as fast-paced as Formula 1 and as...

23 min. read
Maria Shisterova
Maria Shisterova
November 17, 2023

A Complete Guide to Web Data Parsing Using Beautiful Soup in Python

Beautiful Soup is a widely used Python library that plays a vital role in data extraction. It offers powerful tools for parsing HTML and XML documents, making it possible to extract valuable data from web pages effortlessly. This library simplifies the often complex process of de...

Topics: Parsing
14 min. read
Martin Ganchev
Martin Ganchev
November 16, 2023

Scraping the Web with Selenium and Python: A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Since the late 2000s, scraping has become the go-to solution for businesses and individuals seeking to extract public data from the web. Anyone not scraping public data nowadays is at an obvious disadvantage. One common challenge of web scraping is collecting data from pages with...

10 min. read
Martin Ganchev
Martin Ganchev
November 09, 2023

OnlyFans Scraping: The Complete Guide 2023

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way content creators, influencers, and artists connect with their audience and monetize their talents. OnlyFans, a subscription-based social media platform, has emerged as a website that allows creators to share exclusive...

6 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
November 03, 2023

Amazon Product Data Scraping with Datacenter Proxies

This comprehensive guide will explore the powerful capabilities of Smartproxy's datacenter proxies for scraping Amazon product data. Whether you're an eCommerce professional, researcher, or developer seeking to extract those juicy insights from Amazon's marketplace, you'll discov...

15 min. read
Martin Ganchev
Martin Ganchev
October 30, 2023

What Are Rotating Proxies and Why Should You Use Them?

Rotating proxies might sound like a fancy term for someone who just started diggin' around the world of tech, but they're actually a handy tool for anyone who wants to protect their online identity or collect data from the web. Stay with us as we're going to explore what rotating...

5 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
October 09, 2023

How to Manage Multiple Accounts on Reddit: A Comprehensive Guide

Reddit is one of the biggest social media platforms out there. It has established itself online as a vibrant hub for sharing content, discussions, building communities, and posting cat memes. According to the latest data, the website attracts over 430 million users worldwide ever...

10 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
October 09, 2023

EWDCI Certified Designation: Embracing Ethical Web Data Collection Practices

At Smartproxy, our mission is to deliver value while upholding the principles of fairness, transparency, and industry's best practices. We’re dedicated to fostering a trust-based and sustainable industry where end-user awareness, consent, and equitable reward are the standard. Th...

Topics: News
3 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
October 05, 2023

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Using Proxies and Scraping Solutions to Monitor Pricing, Trends, and Competitors

Businesses rely on real-time data about pricing, market trends, and their rivals' activities to make well-informed decisions and maintain a competitive edge. In fact, 98%¹ of executives agree it’s somewhat or very important to increase data analysis in their companies over the up...

11 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
September 07, 2023

5 Best SOAX Alternatives in 2023

Let’s talk about SOAX. A proxy provider that's as well-rounded as a perfectly rolled burrito. With a solid infrastructure and proxy rotation, they're all about that sweet combo of stability and flexibility. But if you’re looking for more features, such as speedy response times, t...

7 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
September 06, 2023

Best Bright Data Alternatives in 2023

With as many proxy features as a Swiss Army knife and a data collection infrastructure so robust it could benchpress a skyscraper, Bright Data is like the James Bond of proxies. One of the things that James Bond exudes is luxury, and so does Bright Data. And due to Bright Data’s ...

7 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
September 04, 2023

Top 10 Best Residential Proxy Service Providers (2023)

Imagine you're on a thrilling mission in the digital world and need to access restricted areas, gather valuable information, elevate your eCommerce business, and remain undetected. How can you accomplish this? Yes, residential proxies! But with the booming proxy industry, many pr...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
August 17, 2023

Top 5 Internet (Safety) Statistics You Should Know in 2023

By the time you finish reading this intro, successful ransomware will take place somewhere. According to Dataprot internet safety statistics, these attacks occur every 14 seconds on average, with $20 billion in data breach costs yearly. Pretty crazy, right? But what’s even more c...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
August 16, 2023

Instagram IP Ban? Don’t Worry, Read This

You might face the IP ban hammer or get your actions restricted when crossing the gray area of Instagram. Although you can reach the customer support team, they are not always willing to lift the ban. Luckily, there’s a solution. Use residential proxies to change your IP address,...

11 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
August 07, 2023

Instagram Error: Feedback Required… What to Do?

We know the story. You’ve been running around Instagram young, wild, and free until you got slapped with the infamous feedback_required error. Yep, it’s a real pain in the rear how it stops you in your tracks and leaves you confused. But fear not – errors happen to the best of us...

7 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
August 01, 2023

What Is a Residential Proxy? Definition and Guide (2023)

Feeling concerned about protecting your online identity and privacy? Well, you're not alone! Many internet users have turned to residential proxies to help keep their information safe. In simple terms, a residential proxy is like a middleman between your device and the internet, ...

9 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
July 31, 2023

What is an SSL or HTTPS Proxy

If you are new to proxies, you might be confused by how many proxy types there are: residential, rotating, datacenter, backconnect, SSL proxies… The list goes on! The proxy ‘type’ usually refers to one of its two traits: the connection method or the type of the device acting as y...

Topics: Hide IP
4 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
July 21, 2023

Solving the Facebook Error: Session Expired

Facebook is like a dinosaur that’s yet to go extinct. Founded in 2004, it’s still part of 1.9 billion people’s daily lives worldwide. And do you know what disrupts daily life like nothing else? Technical glitches. One such frustrating issue that Facebook users sometimes encounter...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
July 20, 2023

How to Buy Instagram Accounts Safely in 2023

The rise of social media has pushed the internet to evolve into a digital marketplace for social properties. With the recently deceased (and, frankly, unsuccessful) trend of buying audience members, people started seeking to buy Instagram accounts with real followers. In the past...

7 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
July 12, 2023

We Released Site Unblocker!

Look no further, buddy. A powerful tool for gathering public data is already here. Say hi to our newly launched product – Site Unblocker!

3 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
June 27, 2023

A Comprehensive Guide on Using Proxy with cURL in 2023

Whether you're a developer or an IT professional, data is an essential element of your everyday tasks. One of the most popular tools for data transfer is cURL (client for URL), which is embedded in almost every device that transfers data over different internet protocols. However...

Topics: cURL
7 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
June 20, 2023

Stuck with Proxy Error code? Simple Ways to Solve Each of Them [VIDEO]

Got stuck with the annoying proxy error codes? Chances are that you ended up with undesirable 404, 407, or 503 status codes at least once, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. But it may seem frustrating only from the first glance – a better understanding of what you are dealing ...

7 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
June 14, 2023

HTTPS and SOCKS5 Are Now Available for Residential and Mobile Proxies

We've got some exciting news to share with you today. We’ve just rolled out a fantastic addition to our residential and mobile proxies. Get hyped because HTTPS and SOCKS5 protocols are here to revolutionize your online experience!

3 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
June 09, 2023

What is a Headless Browser: A Comprehensive Guide 2023

Let’s be honest, a headless browser sounds, to say the least, peculiar if you haven’t heard the term before. C’mon, how can your good ol’ Chrome or Firefox be headless? Yup, it’s mind-boggling, but before you deep dive into that philosophical void (seriously, try not to do this t...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
June 09, 2023

Introducing Static (ISP) Residential Proxies

This announcement is undoubtedly one of the best news we’ve shared in a while. So all proxying aficionados, please welcome the newest addition to our proxy family – Static (ISP) Residential Proxies! It’s definitely a long-awaited one, so here’s a quick recap of what’s in store: R...

3 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
June 08, 2023

What to do when getting parsing errors in Python?

This one’s gonna be serious. But not scary. We know how frightening the word “programming” could be for a newbie or a person with a little technical background. But hey, don’t worry, we’ll make your trip in Python smooth and pleasant. Deal? Then, let’s go! Python is widely known ...

12 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
May 24, 2023

Smartproxy Webinar: Web Scraping: How to Successfully Collect Public Data in 2023

Wanna scrape web data but keep running into obstacles? Collecting web data in 2023 sure requires extensive knowledge. Websites are armed with smart antibots, few suspicious moves, and an IP ban is knocking on your door. That's why Smartproxy is hosting a free webinar filled with ...

2 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
May 12, 2023

New Proxy Statistics on the Smartproxy Dashboard

If you’re using our residential or datacenter proxies, you know how important it is to keep track of your traffic usage. Understanding traffic usage patterns is vital for optimizing projects and making informed decisions. That's why we're excited to introduce a few improvements i...

3 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
May 04, 2023

What Is a Backconnect Proxy? A Complete Guide in 2023

Whether you call yourself a seasoned proxy user or just starting to leverage the power of proxies, it's always good to learn a thing or two. And this time, we're talking about backconnect proxies. In short, backconnect proxies allow you to remain anonymous while accessing the int...

6 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
May 04, 2023

Check The Target Match with Product Selector

As you’ve probably understood, we’re all about bringing new updates that make your proxying and scraping journey simpler. And today is no exception because we’re excited to announce the Product Selector feature, which allows you to double-check the target compatibility before pur...

2 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
April 05, 2023

How to Overcome Instagram Action Block Error?

So, you’re happily scrolling through your Instagram feed, double-tapping your friends’ photos and hilarious memes, and then suddenly… you can’t take any further action. And that’s, my buddy, how you know you've been hit with the dreaded error action blocked.  As much as we love t...

7 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
March 31, 2023

Got Instagram Challenge_Required Error? Here's a Fix

Ok, so you're just stuck with a challenge_required error on Instagram, and now it's preventing you from engaging with your followers, right? Don't worry; you're not alone – we can help you. Many users have reported experiencing this issue, but the good news is that there're ways ...

7 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
March 29, 2023

Referral program is here: invite a friend, get free $ for both

Yup, you heard that right – now you can get some extra tokens for spreading the word about us to your friends! Easy money, right?  30% of your friend’s first transaction slips to your and your friends’ Smart wallets as tokens after your invitee makes their first purchase. Now you...

Topics: News
2 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
March 28, 2023

We’ve Updated Public API Authorization!

Yes, you read that right! We’ve just updated our Public API authorization to make accessing all the handy Smartproxy dash features even easier. Users can make requests straight to API faster, add a sub-user, or whitelist an IP in seconds!

Topics: News,API
2 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
March 21, 2023

It’s Finally Here! OS Filtering, We Mean

You asked, we listened. And that's how we've become the first provider in the market to release an epic feature, available with our 10M+ ethically-sourced mobile proxies. It's called... OS filtering!

2 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
March 21, 2023

Smartproxy co-founds Ethical Web Data Collection Initiative For Trustworthy and Responsible Data Gathering 

Web data aggregators (“web scraping”) gather available data from around the Internet; enabling consumer confidence, commercial innovation, and community safety. To drive further awareness of and public trust in this crucial digital ability, the Internet Infrastructure Coalition (...

Topics: News
3 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
March 01, 2023

Meet Mobile Proxies – The Latest Addition to Our Proxy Family

OK, let us take you on a journey back in time. A long, long time ago, we published a blog post about mobile proxies. There, we shared a lil’ secret about Smartproxy’s plan to launch our own mobile IP pool in 2023. Fast forward to this day, and we’re happy to announce that not onl...

3 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
February 28, 2023

It’s Happening! The First Dedicated Social Media Scraping API in the Market

Folks, we have some exciting news for you today. We just released the first dedicated Social Media Scraping API in the market. Woot woot! This all-in-one solution is designed to simplify real-time and on-demand data collection at scale. Yup, no worries about managing proxies, sev...

3 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
February 28, 2023

Introducing Webhooks – Stay Updated with Real-Time Notifications

If you’ve ever tried our solutions, you know we love our users to infinity and beyond. And what could be a better way to show our love than introduce new features, making your proxying and scraping journey even easier? So meet webhooks, convenient notifications that help you stay...

Topics: News
2 min. read
smartproxy
Ella Moore
February 23, 2023

How to Use Google Trends for SEO

For many SEO masters out there, it’s no surprise that using Google Trends for keyword research is a common practice. But, as it turns out, it goes way beyond just keyword research – there’re quite a few ways you can hire it to boost your SEO efforts. So, let’s take a closer look ...

9 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
February 20, 2023

How to Scrape Google Search Data

It’s hard to imagine a successful business that doesn’t gather or use any form of data in 2023. And, when it comes to data sources, Google search engine result pages are a goldmine. But gathering Google search results isn’t that simple – you’ll encounter technical challenges and ...

8 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
February 20, 2023

How to Scrape Google Without Getting Blocked

Nowadays, web scraping is essential for any business interested in gaining a competitive edge. It allows quick and efficient data extraction from a variety of sources and acts as an integral step toward advanced business and marketing strategies. If done responsibly, web scraping...

8 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
February 20, 2023

What Is SERP Analysis And How To Do It?

Every day, millions of people turn to search engines to find solutions to their problems and answer their questions. From “How to bake cookies” to “beautiful prom dresses,” this beast tamed inside the name of Google has answers to all of the queries you could enter. With Google b...

7 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
February 20, 2023

SEO Automation: Best Practices in 2023

Back in the day, SEO was about producing content and stuffing it with keywords. In today’s world, SEO specialists require a whole range of interdisciplinary skills and tools to earn that sweet spot in the rankings. Many of their responsibilities include manual, repetitive work, w...

10 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
February 20, 2023

Gathering Amazon Data | Best Tools and Practices [VIDEO] 

At Smartproxy, we’re always cookin’ up new ways to make scraping a breeze. Starting from eCommerce Scraping API to our most recent creation — No-Code Scraper. And don’t let anyone tell you that proxies and scraping are as complicated as rocket science. It could actually be a rath...

1 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
February 02, 2023

Smartproxy has been acquired by Dataquake B.V.

We are happy to announce that Smartproxy has finalized an agreement with Dataquake B.V., a Netherlands-based company, which has led to a full acquisition.  Dataquake B.V. specializes in managing data acquisition and web intelligence solution businesses with vast experience in sca...

Topics: News
1 min. read
smartproxy
James Keenan
February 01, 2023

Unbeatable Instagram Profile Scraper: Social Media Scraping API

An Instagram profile scraper allows you to gather public Instagram profile data. Instead of building a scraper yourself, use our Social Media Scraping API. In this blog post, you’ll get Python code samples for real-time and on-demand data collection at a 100% success rate. Avoid ...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
January 11, 2023

Opening The Off-Limits Codeless Scraping World: How Did We Develop a No-Code Scraper

No-code scraping can be complex. I tested quite a few software for codeless scraping and noticed that the existing solutions could still be a struggle for non-coders. So, naturally, I felt encouraged to develop something different: Smartproxy No-Code Scraper. Yes, my idea wasn't ...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Paulius Taraškevičius
December 23, 2022

Empower Your Research with YouTube Comment Scraper

A YouTube comment scraper is a tool that extracts comments from a selected YouTube video. Comments are an awesome resource for researching your own or your competitor’s brand, which can be used to your advantage. While YouTube offers a free Data API, it’s limited in its capabilit...

5 min. read
smartproxy
Mariam Nakani
December 20, 2022
No-Code Scraper flow