What Is a Proxy Server?

A proxy server is an intermediary computer that sits between your device and the internet, forwarding your requests to websites and returning their responses. The website sees the proxy's IP address instead of yours, which is what makes proxies useful for privacy, geo-targeting, and automated data collection at scale.

How a Proxy Server Works

Every request you make through a proxy is routed through that intermediary server first. This adds a layer of separation: the destination website logs the proxy's IP, location, and connection details rather than your own.

The three main proxy types differ in where that intermediary IP address actually comes from:

  • Residential
  • Datacenter
  • Mobile

Common Business Use Cases

Businesses use proxy servers for tasks that require making many requests from varied locations or identities. The most common commercial use cases are:

  • Web scraping
  • Ad verification
  • Price monitoring
  • SEO rank tracking