IP Rotation

IP rotation is the practice of changing the public source address used for outgoing requests over time. A proxy service usually rotates by assigning different exit nodes from a proxy pool.

Connection-based rotation chooses an IP when a client opens a new proxy connection. If the client reuses that connection for several requests, those requests can keep the same exit. Time-based rotation holds an assignment for a defined interval and replaces it when the interval ends. Some systems also rotate after a request count or when an exit fails. The trigger must be known before a client can control when its address changes.

Rotation spreads activity across addresses and can reduce pressure on any one IP. It does not reset cookies, browser storage, authentication state, TLS characteristics, or request behavior. Rotating too often can also disrupt a destination session that expects consecutive steps from one address. A sticky session is more suitable when continuity matters.

Read what IP rotation is and why it matters for examples of rotation choices.

Related terms: rotating proxy and proxy pool.