Instagram restricts and flags accounts that automate access to or collect information without their permission. 1 You can use Instagram’s official APIs for accessing data, but if you intend to use an unofficial Instagram API for scraping, it’s important to avoid scraping at rates that could harm the website. Additionally, refrain from scraping data that is not publicly available.
Based on our tests with different proxy types on Instagram, residential and mobile proxies are the most suitable options.
| Provider | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
1. | Advanced features & large IP pool | |
2. | Large residential IP pool with anti-detect browser support | |
3. | 10 free shared datacenter IPs | |
4. | Cost-effective mobile proxies in large quantities | |
5. | ||
6. | ||
Best Instagram proxy providers
| Proxy providers | Rating | PAYG/GB* | Monthly price** | Traffic (GB) | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Data | 4.8 out of 265 | $4.2 | $499 | 138 | $5 for 30 days |
| Decodo | 4.6 out of 189 | $3.5 | $6 | 2 | 100 MB for 3 days |
| Webshare | 4.8 out of 2 | ❌ | $7 | 1 | ❌ |
| NetNut | 4.9 out of 146 | ❌ | $99 | 28 | 7 days |
| PrivateProxy.me | 3.9 out of 11 | ❌ | $5 | 1 | 2 days |
| IPBurger | 5.0 out of 3 | ❌ | $79 | 7 | ❌ |
* Per GB price with pay-as-you-go (PAYG)
**Refers to the minimum cost of a residential proxy service.
Recommendations based on our benchmark
Collecting Instagram data
- Low-volume collection: Utilize datacenter proxy servers, as they are the most cost-effective option. Scraping 10 pages without issues is feasible with datacenter proxies, but for larger-scale usage, these proxies may get blocked.
- Collecting Instagram data at scale:
Approach 1: Using Proxies
- Initial Phase:
- Start with datacenter proxies to minimize costs.
- Monitor for any blocks or issues.
- Transition Phase:
- For initial low-rate web scraping, datacenter proxy solutions are sufficient. When datacenter proxies start failing, you can switch to residential proxies.
- Even with residential proxies, Instagram may flag your activity after interacting with around 20 pages that may require manual intervention.
- Handling CAPTCHA and Fingerprinting:
- Use web unblocker solutions to overcome CAPTCHA and browser fingerprinting challenges.
- These solutions enable users to automate the process and eliminate the need for manual intervention.
Approach 2: Using Instagram Scrapers
- Scraper Providers:
- Leverage Instagram scraper providers that collect data in advance.
- Scrapers can handle the challenges of scaling and provide data efficiently.
- Cost Considerations:
- While scrapers can be more expensive than proxies, they offer a more scalable solution.
Managing multiple Instagram accounts
Instagram flags rapid or automated actions as spam, including creating multiple accounts within a short period (Figure 1).
Instagram let us fill out all the required information and provided us with a verification number when we tried to register a second account, even though we already had a primary account.
However, once we entered the code, the platform stated that we were violating their terms of service and refused to create an account. There are two possible approaches to dealing with this problem:
- Using a Proxy Server: Proxies automate basic activities on social media platforms for users, such as creating multiple accounts on various platforms. They conceal your real IP address to avoid the platform’s limitations. The platform identifies users through additional unique information, including browser settings, cookies, and data related to JavaScript.
- Antidetect Browsers: Antidetect browsers can change the fingerprint settings. Our problem was not solved by this technique, either, as the IP address was reported for questionable activities. You can use proxy servers in conjunction with anti-detect browsers:
- Integrate Your Proxy Service: Ensure the anti-detect browser allows external proxy integration.
- Built-in Proxy Services: Opt for an anti-detect browser that features built-in proxy services. Most anti-detect browser providers don’t offer high-performance proxy solutions. For instance, datacenter proxies may not be suitable for Instagram’s anti-bot detection systems.
Figure 1: Encountering a CAPTCHA on Instagram due to unusual activity from a single IP address (an antidetect browser is used with a residential proxy server)
The best Instagram proxies: Types and features
Bright Data
Bright Data provides access to 72 million residential proxies and 7 million mobile proxies, offering global targeting capabilities. These proxies are rarely blocked, making them ideal for social media applications.
You can target by region (global, country, state, city), ASN, ZIP code, coordinates, and operating system, at no additional cost for either proxy type.
By default, both residential and mobile proxies rotate with each request. However, you can customize rotation frequency using Bright Data’s Proxy Manager. The service also offers both shared and dedicated IP options for residential and mobile proxies.
Pricing:
- Starting at (monthly):
- Residential: $4.28 /GB
- Mobile: $7.14 /GB
- Free trial: $5 credit for 30 days
Decodo
Decodo offers affordable residential proxies with global coverage across multiple countries. Unlike Bright Data, Decodo provides more flexible proxy plans and versatile IP options, including small packages tailored for individual users. The service also includes mobile IP addresses sourced from real users’ devices worldwide.
ZIP code-level targeting for residential proxies is available only in the United States. Decodo’s mobile proxy pool consists of 10 million IP addresses, supporting targeting by country, state, city, ASN, and operating system.
Pricing:
- Starting at (monthly):
- Residential: $3.0 /GB
- Mobile: $7.5 /GB
- Free trial: Get a 100MB free trial credit to explore residential proxies.
Webshare
Webshare offers a large selection of 30 million static (shared, dedicated, rotating) and rotating residential proxies. However, it does not provide mobile IPs.
Webshare offers both private and dedicated residential proxies. Private proxies are shared among a maximum of two users, while dedicated proxies are assigned exclusively to a single user.
While Webshare primarily focuses on datacenter proxy infrastructure, its residential proxies lack certain advanced features, such as granular location targeting, which are available with other premium proxy providers.
Pricing:
- Starting at (monthly):
- Residential: $3.50 /GB
- Free trial: Free plan with 10 shared datacenter IPs
NetNut
NetNut offers rotating and static residential IP addresses for various use cases, including social media management, social media scraping, and brand protection. NetNut’s residential proxy server can rotate with every connection request.
The mobile proxy pool comprises 5 million IPs with country- and ASN-level targeting options.
Pricing:
- Starting at (monthly):
- Residential: $3.53 /GB
- Mobile: $7.6 /GB
- Free trial: 7-day trial
PrivateProxy
PrivateProxy.me offers an Instagram script powered by residential proxies to assist users with web scraping and data parsing tasks.
It automates tasks on Instagram, including data scraping from the target website and features residential proxies.
Pricing:
- Starting at (monthly):
- Residential static: $5 /GB
- Free trial: PrivateProxy.me offers a 2-day free trial for both static and rotating residential proxies.
IPBurger
IPBurger offers over 5 million rotating residential proxies, ideal for Instagram automation and account management. The provider also features sticky residential IPs that last up to 30 minutes. You can target proxies by country, state, and city location for more precise control.
Pricing:
- Starting at:
- Residential: $11.29 /GB
What is an Instagram proxy?
An Instagram proxy is a type of proxy server that acts as an intermediary between your device and Instagram’s servers. Instagram proxies function similarly to other regular proxy servers, masking your real location and identity.
Why do you need to use proxies for Instagram?
Multiple account management:
Instagram restricts the number of accounts that can be managed from a single IP address to prevent automated bots and spam activities. If you attempt to manage five accounts from the same IP address and post too frequently, Instagram may flag this as suspicious activity and ban your IP address.
However, legitimate users who need to manage multiple accounts for professional purposes, such as Instagram marketing, may face challenges due to Instagram’s spam filters.
Avoid bans/blocks:
Instagram proxies can be especially useful for businesses, influencers, or social media managers who need to manage multiple client accounts. They enable users to manage multiple Instagram accounts without violating Instagram’s terms of service or triggering spam filters by masking their confirmed IP addresses.
How to use Instagram proxies for legal and ethical web scraping
It is essential to note that any data scraping activities must be conducted by Instagram’s terms of service and web scraping ethics. Here is a list of best practices for using Instagram proxies for ethical and responsible Instagram scraping:
- Use legally outsourced IPs: Some proxy providers may offer proxies that are illegally sourced. Ensure that you select a reputable Instagram proxy provider.
- Adhere to Instagram’s Terms of Service: If you intend to gather data from Instagram, regardless of whether you use Instagram proxies or not, you must follow Instagram’s Terms of Service. Violations of Instagram’s Terms of Service may result in penalties, including suspension from the platform.
- Secure the scraped data: Scrape only the necessary data. Once you have collected data from Instagram, it is essential to encrypt the data in transit and at rest. This will decrease the likelihood that the target website will block your Instagram bot.
- Rotate your Instagram proxies: Rotating proxies reduces the likelihood of a single proxy server getting blocked. For example, rotating residential proxies enable users to change their IP addresses at specific times or intervals.
- Review Instagram’s robots.txt file: Append “robots.txt” to the end of the base URL to examine Instagram’s robots.txt file.A robots.txt file is a text file that tells web pages.
Figure 2: Instagram’s robots.txt file
Can I use free proxies for Instagram?
Free proxies are generally not recommended for Instagram, as they are often unreliable, slow, and more likely to be flagged by the platform.
External Links
- 1. https://help.instagram.com/740480200552298/?helpref=related_articles
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