IP rotation is the practice of automatically switching between different IP addresses when sending requests to websites. Instead of making hundreds of requests from one address, your scraper appears as many separate users visiting from different locations. This simple technique is one of the most effective ways to avoid getting blocked during web scraping.
How IP rotation works
When you scrape a website, every request you send carries your IP address. If a site sees 1,000 requests from the same IP in five minutes, it knows something is off and blocks you.
IP rotation solves this by routing your requests through a pool of proxy servers. Each proxy has its own IP address, and your scraper cycles through them automatically. The target website sees traffic from dozens or hundreds of different addresses, making your activity look like normal visitor traffic.
You can rotate IPs in different ways:
- Per request: Every single request uses a new IP address
- Per session: One IP handles a series of related requests (useful when you need to stay logged in), then switches
- Time-based: IPs change every few minutes or at set intervals
Why IP rotation matters for web scraping
Websites use several defenses to stop scrapers. Rate limiting caps how many requests one IP can make. IP reputation systems flag addresses known for automated traffic. Behavioral analysis looks for patterns that seem non-human.
Without rotation, your scraper hits these walls fast. You will see CAPTCHAs, temporary blocks, or permanent bans. Your data collection stops, and you waste time troubleshooting.
With rotation, each IP stays under the radar because it only makes a handful of requests. You spread the load across your entire proxy pool, staying within acceptable limits while still collecting data at scale.
Types of rotating proxies
Datacenter proxies come from cloud servers and data centers. They are fast and cheap but easier for websites to identify and block because their IP ranges are publicly known.
Residential proxies use IP addresses assigned to real home internet connections by ISPs. Websites trust these more because the traffic looks like regular users browsing from their homes. Residential rotation is harder to detect and works better on sites with aggressive anti-bot measures.
Mobile proxies route traffic through mobile carrier networks. These are the hardest to block because mobile IPs are shared among many real users, but they are also the most expensive option.
Best practices for IP rotation
Rotate at realistic speeds. Switching IPs on every single request can actually look suspicious. Match your rotation pace to how real users would browse.
Combine rotation with other techniques. Pair it with user-agent rotation, realistic request delays, and proper headers. IP rotation alone is not enough against sophisticated anti-bot systems.
Monitor your success rates. Track which IPs get blocked and how often. Good proxy providers let you see performance metrics so you can adjust your approach.
Use quality proxy providers. Cheap proxies often share IPs with other scrapers, meaning you inherit their bad reputation. Invest in reputable services with clean, well-maintained IP pools.
How Browse AI handles IP rotation for you
Setting up and managing proxy rotation yourself takes time and technical effort. Browse AI handles this automatically. The platform rotates IPs behind the scenes, so your scraping jobs run smoothly without you configuring proxy pools or troubleshooting blocked requests. You focus on the data you need, and Browse AI manages the infrastructure that keeps your scrapers running reliably.
