Before we can answer what a rotating proxy is, we must understand what an internet proxy is. An internet proxy acts as an intermediary between a client and server, meaning data passes through the proxy and neither the client nor the server communicate directly. Anonymous proxies work similarly to standard proxies, however they do not reveal that they are a proxy or any details of the client, such as IP address, location or device.
Rotating proxies take this a step further by using an IP address pool to constantly vary IP addresses. Depending on the configuration, IP addresses can change after a set amount of time, such as a few minutes to a few hours, or even after every session. This approach to privacy provides the highest level of anonymity by ensuring each session has a unique IP address, protecting the user’s privacy.
When Do You Need a Rotating Proxy?
Using a rotating proxy can provide an additional layer of security and anonymity, enabling tasks such as downloading multiple files from a source simultaneously, streaming content from different regions, conducting SEO and keyword research, and data scraping. The extra privacy allows users to avoid bandwidth and resource restrictions that impede their workflow. Rotating proxies also minimize the server’s ability to track movements across their domains. However, rotating proxies may not be suitable for services that require persistent logins, since each session is unique and some sites may not function as expected. In these cases, a static residential proxy would be the better option.