How to use proxies to collect data from marketplaces (parsing, analytics, competitive intelligence)

Roman

Sep 04, 2025

Proxy

### **How to use proxies to collect data from marketplaces**

In the world of e-commerce, data is the new oil. Whoever has information about competitors' prices, product ranges, and strategies controls the market. Marketplaces such as Amazon, Ozon, Wildberries, and Alibaba are giant, constantly updated databases containing this valuable information. Obtaining it means gaining a decisive competitive advantage.

The only way to extract this data on an industrial scale is through **parsing** (or web scraping). But there is a problem: marketplaces are well aware of this and actively defend themselves.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at how marketplace protection works and how, using the right proxies and technologies, you can build an effective data collection system for analytics and competitive intelligence.

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#### **Why don't marketplaces want to be parsed?**

Manual data collection is inefficient and slow. Automated collection (parsing) allows you to obtain huge amounts of data in a short time. That is why marketplaces build entire layers of defense:

* **IP blocking.** The most basic and effective method of protection. If an abnormally large number of requests come from a single IP address, it is immediately temporarily or permanently banned.
* **Rate limiting (request frequency restriction).** The system allows, for example, no more than 30 requests per minute from a single IP address. Anything above the limit is blocked.
* **CAPTCHA.** If the system detects signs of automation, it presents the user with a CAPTCHA that a standard parser cannot pass.
* **Geo-blocking.** Prices, assortment, and delivery terms on the same marketplace can vary dramatically for users from the US and Germany. Without an IP address from the desired region, you simply won't see the relevant data.
* **Fingerprint analysis.** Advanced systems analyze not only your IP address, but also your browser settings: user agent, headers, screen resolution, and fonts. Any inconsistency or patterned behavior will mark you as a bot.

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### **Proxies are your key to data. But not just any proxies**

A proxy server is the technological foundation of any serious parser. It solves all of the above problems by acting as an intermediary that hides your real IP and allows you to simulate requests from thousands of different users from anywhere in the world.

But not all types of proxies are suitable for parsing marketplaces.

#### **Types of proxies and their applicability:**

1. **Proxies from data centers (DC).**
   * **What it is:** IP addresses belonging to hosting providers and data centers.
   * **Pros:** Cheap, fast, predictable.
   * **Cons:** Easy to detect. Their IP subnets have long been known and are included in anti-fraud system databases.
   * **Verdict:** ** Not suitable** for large and well-protected marketplaces (Amazon, Google Shopping). Can be used for parsing small, poorly protected websites or APIs.
2. **Residential proxies.**
   * **What it is:** IP addresses assigned by home Internet providers to real users.
   * **Pros:** Maximum level of trust. For a marketplace, a request from such an IP is indistinguishable from a visit by a regular buyer. Huge pools of IP addresses around the world.
   * **Cons:** More expensive than DC; speed may be less stable.
   * **Verdict:** ** The ideal choice** for parsing. Especially **rotating residential proxies**, which automatically change the IP address for each new request or at a specified interval.
3. **Mobile proxies.**
   * **What it is:** IP addresses belonging to mobile operators.
   * **Pros:** Highest level of trust. All traffic from mobile IPs is considered legitimate by default. A single mobile IP can be used by thousands of real users, making blocking extremely unlikely.
   * **Cons:** The most expensive type of proxy.
   * **Verdict:** **The ultimate solution** for the most complex and secure purposes, especially for collecting data from mobile versions of websites and marketplace apps.

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### **Technical details: Sessions, rotation, and infrastructure**

Choosing the type of proxy is just the beginning. Other parameters are also important for professional parsing.

* **Session type: Sticky vs. High Rotation.**
  * **High Rotation:** Ideal for simple tasks when you need to quickly collect data from thousands of different pages (for example, collecting prices for 10,000 products). Each new request comes from a new IP address.
  * **Sticky Sessions:** Necessary when you need to mimic user behavior on several pages in a row (e.g., browse a catalog, view a product page, open reviews). You get the same IP for 5, 10, or 30 minutes so that your session is not interrupted.
* **Parsing infrastructure.** Remember that proxies are only part of the system. Effective parsing requires:
  * **A reliable parser:** A script or program (for example, in Python using the Scrapy, BeautifulSoup, Selenium libraries) capable of processing HTML code.
  * ** User-Agent and Headers rotation:** Your parser must pretend to be different browsers and devices, constantly changing not only the IP but also the technical headers.
  * **Error handling:** A mechanism that will correctly handle temporary blocks, captchas, and errors, repeating failed requests through another proxy.

### **Conclusion: From Data to Strategy**

Competitive intelligence on marketplaces is not magic, but technology. It is based on a well-designed data collection process, and the foundation of this process is high-quality, correctly selected proxies.

Saving money on proxies when parsing is the most expensive mistake you can make, leading to incomplete data, blocked tools, and ultimately, incorrect business decisions. Invest in a reliable infrastructure, and you'll gain access to information that will become your main competitive advantage.

👉 **Looking for a reliable parsing solution?** [Our **rotating residential proxies**](https://app.cyberyozh.com/proxy/residential/) provide access to millions of clean IP addresses worldwide with flexible session management. It is the perfect tool for collecting data from any marketplace, even the most secure ones.

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