Yelp Data Grabber: Merchant Ratings Collection Solution

Real life example: why do you always get kicked out of Yelp?

Last week, a friend who does restaurant analytics came to me to complain, saying that he used Python script to capture Yelp merchant ratings, and the result was that his IP was blocked just half an hour into the run. He changed his own WiFi and retried, but even his cell phone hotspot suffered - now even normal web pages are popping up the CAPTCHA. This situation is too common, Yelp's anti-climbing mechanism is like the security guard at the entrance of a restaurant.Specializing in suspicious elements that come and go frequently.The

Proxy IP's Wonderful Use: Putting Crawlers in "Stealth Clothes"

If you want to stay undetected, you need to learn how to "disguise", and here we are talking about proxy IPs. Assuming that you originally lived in Beijing's Chaoyang District (IP: 123.45.67.89), using ipipgo's proxy service will randomly switch every time you visit Yelp:

import requests
from itertools import cycle

proxies = ipipgo.get_proxy_pool() get dynamic IP pools
proxy_cycler = cycle(proxies)

for page in range(1,101): current_proxy = next(proxy_cycler)
    current_proxy = next(proxy_cycler)
    response = requests.get(
        f "https://www.yelp.com/search?page={page}",
        proxies={"http": current_proxy, "https": current_proxy}
    )
     Processing data logic...

It's likeI change my clothes every time I go into a restaurant.The waiter simply can't recognize the same person. Note that to choose residential IP, room IP is easy to be recognized - here recommended ipipgo's real residential proxy pool, measured overnight run data success rate can be up to 92%.

A practical guide to avoiding pitfalls: three key details

Many people think that the use of proxies will be all right, but the result is still planted. These three details do not pay attention to is equal to a waste of time:

Special reminder:Don't write dead proxy addresses in your code! We suggest using ipipgo's API to get it dynamically, they automatically update the IP pool every 5 minutes, much less hassle than maintaining it yourself.

Configuration process that even a novice can understand

In Python, for example, the deployment is completed in five steps:

1. Sign up for a ipipgo account to receive a trial pack
2. Generate an API key in the console
3. Install the official SDK: pip install ipipgo-client
4. Initialize the agent pool (see example above for code)
5. Setting up random delays + UA switching

Focusing on the delay settings, never use a fixed SLEEP! Randomize the pauses like a real person would do:

import random
import time

 A more natural waiting strategy
def human_delay().
    base = 3 if 8<datetime.now().hour<23 else 1.5
    return base random.uniform(0.8, 1.2)

time.sleep(human_delay())

Frequently Asked Questions QA

Q: Can I still use my blocked IP?
A: It is recommended to cool down for 24 hours. ipipgo's IP pool capacity is large enough (20 million +), and it is more efficient to cut new IPs directly

Q: Do I need to maintain my own proxy server?
A: No need at all! ipipgo provides ready-made API access and supports automatic retry and failover.

Q: Why do you recommend Dynamic Residential IP?
A: The IP segment of the server room has long been marked by major platforms, and the residential IP is closer to the real user behavior, which is also the core advantage of ipipgo

Q: What should I do if I encounter a CAPTCHA?
A: This belongs to the anti-climbing upgrade signal, immediately reduce the frequency and replace the IP. ipipgo'sHigh Stash Agent PackageBuilt-in CAPTCHA bypass function, can be opened by contacting customer service

Finally, a cold knowledge: Yelp's rating update cycle is 72 hours, it is recommended to catch three times a week is enough. There is no need to keep an eye on the run 24 hours a day, both costly resources and easy to be blocked. Use a good proxy tool, data collection should be so simple.