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Web Scraping: Another Block In The Wall | OxyCast #2

Iveta Vistorskyte

2022-02-222 min read

Our freshly-baked podcast OxyCast is moving forward with a brand new episode on the most common scraping challenges.

If you’ve ever tried web scraping, you should be aware of the blocking issue. It’s a common challenge, especially if you gather public data on a large scale without a decent knowledge of using resources wisely. This is why we decided to cover this topic and share our knowledge and tips & tricks on how to avoid getting blocked.

Watch the latest episode of OxyCast:

For your convenience, the second episode of OxyCast is also available on the most popular platforms, such as:

Now, let’s take a closer look at what we discussed during the second episode and why it’s worth your attention.

Scraping, parsing, crawling – synonyms or completely different meanings?

These definitions might sound similar. However, there are some key differences between them, even if these three terms are closely intertwined. It’s important to define each term because it can be confusing to clearly understand the data gathering process. This episode will clarify the meanings of scraping, parsing, and crawling.

Tips & tricks on how to avoid blocks

The host of OxyCast – Augustinas Kalvis, and a special guest – Martynas Saulius (Python Developer at Oxylabs), will explain the blocking process in-depth and what scraping challenges even skilled developers encounter, and how to deal with them. The main topics this episode will cover are:

Why is it essential to ensure web scraper’s reliability and scalability? How to do it?
How do websites detect bots?
What happens when you get blocked?
Which web scraping blocking methods are encountered the most?
What are the most common ways to mitigate the blocking?

Here’s a sneak peak to Martynas thoughts on how to avoid getting blocked while web scraping:

“Set your browser parameters right, take care of fingerprinting, and beware of honeypot traps. Most importantly, use reliable proxies and scrape websites with respect. Then all your public data gathering jobs will go smoothly, and you’ll be able to use fresh information to improve your business.”

– Martynas Saulius, Python Developer at Oxylabs

Wrapping it up

We hope the new episode will help you understand why target websites block suspicious activity, how to avoid blocking when web scraping, and, of course, what to do when you still get blocked.

If you have any topic suggestions or want to ask questions regarding scraping, feel free to contact us at events@oxylabs.io. We’ll try our best to cover your ideas in future OxyCast episodes.

About the author

Iveta Vistorskyte

Lead Content Manager

Iveta Vistorskyte is a Lead Content Manager at Oxylabs. Growing up as a writer and a challenge seeker, she decided to welcome herself to the tech-side, and instantly became interested in this field. When she is not at work, you'll probably find her just chillin' while listening to her favorite music or playing board games with friends.

Learn more about Iveta Vistorskyte

All information on Oxylabs Blog is provided on an "as is" basis and for informational purposes only. We make no representation and disclaim all liability with respect to your use of any information contained on Oxylabs Blog or any third-party websites that may be linked therein. Before engaging in scraping activities of any kind you should consult your legal advisors and carefully read the particular website's terms of service or receive a scraping license.