Octoparse Proxy Integration: 2 Methods Explained

Efficient web scraping requires more than just a reliable scraping tool—it demands secure and robust proxies to ensure uninterrupted data extraction. Octoparse, a user-friendly data extraction tool, makes this process easier with built-in support for proxy integration.

This blog will guide you through two methods of proxy integration in Octoparse: using datacenter proxies and residential proxies, along with advanced proxy configuration options to optimize your scraping experience.

Why do you need proxies for Octoparse?

When scraping websites with Octoparse, websites can block or restrict your access if you’re not careful. Proxies help by acting as a middleman between you and the website. 

Here’s why proxies are important:

1. Avoid getting blocked

Websites don’t like it when one IP address sends too many requests. Proxies let you use different IP addresses, so the website won’t know it’s all coming from you.

2. Access location-specific content

Some websites show different content depending on where you are. With proxies, you can use IPs from different countries to see and collect data as if you’re in those locations.

3. Stay anonymous

Proxies hide your real IP address. This makes it harder for websites to track you and keeps your scraping private.

4. Improve scraping

Proxies help in two important ways:

• IP Rotation: This switches your IP address with every request, making it look like many people are visiting the website instead of just one.
• Sticky Sessions: This keeps the same IP for a while, which is useful if you need to stay logged in or follow a specific session.

5. Get past website protections

Websites often use tools to stop bots, but using the right proxies (like residential or datacenter proxies) can help you avoid detection and keep scraping.

All in all, proxies make scraping with Octoparse easier, safer, and more effective, even on websites with strict rules.

Before starting - get your proxy details 

To start using proxies with Octoparse, you’ll need the IP address, port, username, and password from your proxy provider. These details are crucial for setting up smooth and secure scraping.

Webshare offers a free trial with 10 proxies to help you get started. These fast and reliable proxies are perfect for testing your scraping setup.

How to Claim Your Free Proxies:

1. Sign up on Webshare.
2. Claim your 10 free proxies.
3. Copy the proxy details and use them in Octoparse.

Webshare makes it easy to test service with 10 free proxies—no commitment required. These free proxies are high-quality, fast, and ready to use with Octoparse. It’s a great way to try out proxies and see how they improve your scraping experience.

Proxy integration method 1: Using Datacenter proxies

Datacenter proxies are fast and cost-effective options, ideal for scraping non-complex websites that do not enforce strict anti-bot measures. Here’s how you can integrate these into your Octaparse: 

1) Open Octoparse and click +New to create a custom task.

2) Enter the target URL in the URL input field and click Save.

3) Once the website loads, you can access proxy settings. Navigate to Task Settings > Anti-blocking. 

4) Enable Access websites via proxies and select Use my own proxies.

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5) Configure the proxies using the format:

IP:port:username:password

6) For rotating proxies specifically, specify the interval for switching between IPs. This step is optional.

7) Test the connection. Click Configure > Test Connection to verify successful integration.

Proxy integration method 2: Using Residential proxies

Residential proxies provide IPs assigned to real devices, making them more effective at bypassing anti-bot measures on highly secure websites. This is what you need to do to integrate residential proxies into Octaparse: 

1. For geo-specific proxies, use a country-based host.
2. Start task in Octoparse. Create a custom task and load the target website as described above.
3. Enable proxy access. In Task Settings > Anti-blocking, enable proxy settings.
4. Enter the proxy information in the required format.
5. Include credentials for authentication, if required.
6. Set sticky or rotating sessions. For sticky sessions, use a dedicated port your proxy provider gives. For rotating sessions, set up a proxy rotation.
7. Test the proxies to confirm they are correctly integrated.

Advanced proxy configuration options to improve scraping

Rotating proxies switch IPs after every request or session, reducing the risk of detection and bans. Here are the steps to do that:

• Obtain rotating proxies from a proxy provider.
• Use the same proxy configuration steps but enable the rotation option in the provider’s dashboard or Octoparse settings.

Conclusion

Integrating proxies into Octoparse ensures smooth, uninterrupted web scraping. Whether you use datacenter proxies for simple tasks or residential proxies for more secure scraping, testing your connection and configuring advanced options like rotating and verified proxies can significantly enhance your scraping efficiency.