Blocking is rarely subtle. The harder problem is recognizing which layer is blocking you.
Common signs
- repeated 403 or 429 responses
- challenge pages instead of the real document
- CAPTCHA detections
- successful browser routes paired with failed HTTP routes
Why this matters
Different protections imply different routing choices. A simple WAF challenge might clear with residential traffic. A browser check might force you into a browser-capable scraper.
What not to do
Do not assume that every failure means you need the most expensive route. Often you only need a different proxy tier.
What a good diagnostic should show
A useful report compares multiple combinations side by side so you can see what failed, what worked, and how much the working route costs.
Run the free check if you want to inspect protection signals on a specific URL.