Internet traffic can take different routes depending on the network configuration behind a request. For research, website testing, market observation, and other web-based tasks, an intermediary connection may be selected when the original IP address does not fit the requirements of the activity. What a Proxy Server Does When a request passes through an intermediary, the destination website receives the intermediary's IP address rather than the originating connection. A Proxy server can therefore be part of an arrangement where location, IP separation, or connection type needs to be controlled. The characteristics of the chosen IP matter. Residential, mobile, ISP, and datacenter addresses each originate from different network environments, which can affect their suitability for a particular task. Factors Worth Checking Before purchasing proxy access, several technical details deserve attention: IP location and geographic coverage Residential, mobile, IS...