Reasons to Consider Using Proxies with Python Requests
Do you regularly scrape the web but always seem to run into problems with your scrapers getting blocked? Consider using proxies with Python requests.
Many would say that sending HTTP requests with the Python standard library isn’t the easiest of tasks. Most developers employ third-party tools such as Requests to ensure a smoother scraping experience. However, finding the right kind of tool is just one of many challenges that to successful scraping. Another obstacle is bans on scrapers.
That leads us to four reasons you should consider using proxies with Python requests.
1. Avoid blocking of scrapers
Python has a library, Requests, that’s great for doing HTTP requests. Using the Requests library offers a good way around blocks from remote sites. Using services such as ProxyMesh can also help to keep your scraper from being banned. Follow this link for some good examples for python proxy configuration.
2. Get access to rotating IPs
A pool of rotating IP addresses will help you reach the websites you wish to scrape effectively. You’ll be able to carry out the data extraction stress-free. Proxy service providers like ProxyMesh give you access to many rotating IP address proxy servers. As your requests pass through these anonymous proxy servers they will be randomly routed through any of the available proxy IP addresses ensuring total anonymity on your end.
3. Get past rate limits set by target sites
Sometimes target sites that you wish to scrape have set rate limits in place to prevent a full-on scale scraping session of that site. When rate-limiting software detects numerous requests from a single IP address, it may deem this to be automated access, and will block you and send an error message.
Scrapers often encounter this problem if they have targeted websites for large-scale queries, running to thousands of content pages. If you’ve tried scraping a site with such rate limits, an efficient way to get past the limits is to direct your Python requests through proxy servers.
4. Access websites blocked in your country
Do you wish to scrape a website that’s not readily available in your country? Sending through a proxy server will help you get around this challenge. The proxy server masks your original IP address and gives you an address that will grant you permission to access that site wherever you may be in the world.
ProxyMesh is a popular service, with proxy servers across the US, Europe and Asia. Or, if you need a very specific location, consider Wonder Proxy.
Getting proxies and integrating them into your scraping software
We recommend proxies such as ProxyMesh if you wish to successfully scrape using Python’s Requests library. In order to integrate these proxies into your scraping software, you’ll need to pass your web scraper’s request through your proxy of choice. The rotating proxy will handle the rest.
Are you keen to learn more about using ProxyMesh as your proxy of choice? Contact us today.
