Introduction
YouTube is not only the most popular online video-sharing platform but world’s second-biggest search engine on the internet too. It has billions of users who watch and share millions of hours of videos from all over the world. However, users sometimes run into issues like censorship, bans in certain regions, and annoying ads when they try to watch YouTube. This is where YouTube proxies can help and that is our topic for today as well. YouTube proxies let you get around location-based blocks to access content. In addition, they help you use multiple accounts if you are gathering data or promoting your business.
Automation with the proxies enables you to scrape the data from YouTube, and leverage it for different purposes, such as marketing, sales, and research. However, finding reliable YouTube proxies can be a challenging task. After a lot of research, we have curated this article covering the 7 best proxies to unblock YouTube and the steps involved in using them. Here it goes.
Why Use a Proxy to Unblock YouTube?
YouTube proxies mask your IP address and hide your actual identity so that it appears as if someone with valid access is using it. The proxy to unblock YouTube can be beneficial for you for a variety of reasons, some of which are below:
- Bypass geographical restrictions
Most of the Youtube restrictions are related to your geographic location. That’s why the biggest reason for using a Youtube proxy is bypassing your location. As a result, you can watch any content that is not available in your region. Also, some content creators restrict their videos to certain regions because of licensing agreements. So viewers in other parts of the world do not have access to these videos. When you use a Youtube proxy, it makes it look like you are browsing from a place from where you can watch the content. This gives you full access to videos that would otherwise be blocked or restricted in your area. - Bypass network restrictions
Networks in schools, workplaces, or public Wi-Fi spots often block YouTube to save bandwidth or cut down on distractions. In such cases, a proxy helps you bypass these network limits, so you can watch YouTube videos without network restriction. This comes in handy if you need to access learning materials or have some entertainment during your breaks. - Bypass age restrictions
YouTube adds restrictions to watch certain videos unless you’re signed in and at least 18 years old. The company aims to shield certain users from content it thinks isn’t right for underage users. This might include content with profanity, violence, or strong language. Using a proxy, you can bypass the age verification process and access the content directly. - Artificial Views and Subscribers
Marketers often use proxies with YouTube bots to increase the views on videos, generate income from the ads, and manipulate the video ranking algorithm. Some also use proxies and bots to automate following and subscription of channels as well as to collect data, which is against YouTube policies. However, by using YouTube proxies, you can perform these actions without being detected.
Key Features of the Best YouTube Unblock Proxy
Before we walk through our recommendations, we need to consider the following key factors. This will help ensure you make the right decision when choosing the proxy provider:
- Fast Speed and No Downtime
A service with a lot of downtime can be frustrating for you, so opt for a proxy service that offers fast connections and reliable uptime to ensure buffer-free streaming to watch videos without delays. Proxies that can store videos in their cache might help to load repeated content faster. It is very useful if you regularly access the same content. - Multiple Server Locations
Take the example of a video streaming service that is only available in North America and you are in Asia. If you select a Youtube proxy that does not allow a free proxy server in North America then this proxy is of no use to you. This is where a proxy having free servers in different region comes in. Using a proxy with multiple server locations makes it easier for users to bypass geo-restrictions. The greater the number of server locations provided by a proxy service, the higher the chances of finding one that can access the desired content. When using a proxy to overcome regional restrictions, it’s important to verify the proxy’s server locations, particularly in the regions where the desired content is hosted and available. - Security and Anonymity
When bypassing restrictions, you are entering an unauthorized area. As a result, the proxy you are using should be able to protect your identity and ensure the security of your data. Pick a proxy service that puts user security first and has strong encryption to keep your data safe. Also, make sure it strictly follows the no-log policy to avoid storing and tracking your browsing history.
7 Best Proxy Services to Unblock YouTube in 2024
CroxyProxy
CroxyProxy offers a cutting-edge web proxy service that helps you watch YouTube and get around location blocks. You won’t need to install any software to use CroxyProxy. Just open the CroxyProxy site in your browser, type in the URL of the video you can’t access, or browse all of YouTube from there. Its SSL encryption keeps your data safe and private as it travels between your device and the proxy server. CroxyProxy has a free option that doesn’t require you to sign up, but it also offers a paid plan with extra features. With the free version, you can still route your internet traffic through several servers, but you can’t pick a specific server location. After getting a paid plan, you’ll be able to select a faster server in the region you prefer.
SmartProxy
Smartproxy is another good choice if you want to unblock Youtube videos. It claims to have over 40 million Ip’s and a solid access rate of 99.99%. Smartproxy offers unlimited connections. Not only that, you can change your IP location at any time. Like other Youtube proxies, it also comes with strong user privacy through no logs. Their 24/7 live chat support is another great feature for users around the globe. It has various subscription plans and an amazing money-back guarantee as well.
KProxy
KProxy is another tool that puts emphasis on privacy and uses HTTPS connections to encrypt your data which makes it harder for hackers to track your online activities. Also, KProxy claims they don’t keep any user info or browsing history. KProxy gives you a free web proxy service and provides free Firefox and Chrome browser extensions, which makes it easier to adjust your proxy settings.
ProxySite
Proxysite is a well-known YouTube proxy website that provides a fast and secure way of watching YouTube videos. You may stream videos without any buffering issues, along with a user-friendly UI and secure connection. It provides both free and paid YouTube proxy services, and you can select the server that is nearest to your location to ensure faster YouTube access.
Proxyium
Proxyium helps you bypass internet restrictions and watch YouTube. When you try to visit YouTube, your request goes to Proxyium’s server first. The server then sends it to Youtube, retrieves the content, and sends it back to you. Proxyium prioritizes your privacy as they don’t keep any logs and use SSL encryption to keep your online activities safe. Proxyium has options for different users, including free and paid plans. The free version has some limits, but it’s a good place to start with. If you want more features, you can upgrade to a paid plan which gives you better performance and extra features for a more comprehensive experience.
GenMirror
GenMirror has become the most reliable and free YouTube proxy website that puts privacy first. It helps boost security and privacy by making sure that data moves between the user and the proxy server in an encrypted way through SSL encryption technology. GenMirror uses less bandwidth and gives a quicker browsing experience due to its advanced web technology. The only downside is that the GenMirror YouTube Proxy’s home page and user experience are different than the real YouTube website. The good thing is, that you don’t have to pay for GenMirror and you can use it for free to unblock YouTube.
Hide.me
Hide.me offers a free web proxy service that allows you to watch YouTube without needing to install any software. It supports encrypted browsing and prioritizes keeping your information private. Hide.me follows a strict no-logs policy, which sets it apart from other services that implemented this feature later. Moreover, it accepts anonymous payments so the company collects even less of your data compared to some other providers. It operates with basic features that are easy to use and reliable. You can pick between free and paid options, with the free version giving you 10GB of data every month.
Free vs. Paid YouTube Unblock Proxy
Find below the table to compare the free versus paid Youtube proxies:
| Features | Free YouTube Proxies | Paid YouTube Proxies |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | • Typically slower • More likely to buffer • Impacted by heavy user traffic | • Faster • More reliable connections that are less impacted by user load and • Ideal for streaming |
| Security | • Basic security that is vulnerable to attacks • Most of the time lacks encryption. | • Advanced security mechanisms • High-level encryption • Protection against phishing and malware |
| Reliability | • Can be unreliable • Prone to disconnections • Impacted by server overload. | • Excellent reliability • Continuous performance • Low downtime • Service level agreements (SLAs) |
| Server Locations | • Limited server locations • Overcrowded • Fewer options for bypassing geo-restrictions | • Extensive server locations worldwide • Less congestion • Better options for bypassing geo-restrictions |
| Customer Support | • Limited or no support • Often community-based forums | • 24/7 customer support • Often with live chat • Email options • Comprehensive help centers |
| Privacy | • May log user data • Potentially sell data to third parties • Less transparency | • Strict no-log policies • Enhanced privacy protections • Transparency reports • Independent audits |
| Bandwidth | • Often limited • May throttle speeds • Not suitable for high-bandwidth activities | • Unlimited bandwidth • No throttling •Suitable for streaming, gaming, and large downloads |
| Ads | • May include ads • Pop-ups • Can be intrusive | • Ad-free experience • No interruptions • Cleaner browsing experience |
| Compatibility | • Limited device and platform compatibility and may not support all browsers or operating systems | • Broad compatibility with various devices and platforms, including mobile, desktop, and smart TVs |
| Setup and Ease of Use | • May require manual setup • Less user-friendly • Limited documentation | • Easy setup • User-friendly interfaces • Detailed guides and tutorials |
How to Use a Proxy to Unblock YouTube
There are a few easy steps that you can follow to unblock YouTube and enjoy unrestricted video streaming. For example, if YouTube is blocked due to your location, after choosing any reliable proxy service, follow the simple steps below:
- Visit the website of the web proxy provider or simply download its extension from the browser extension store.
- Enter the URL of the restricted YouTube video or simply click on quick links to directly navigate to the YouTube platform through proxy. In the case of a browser extension, just activate/enable the proxy and navigate to the link in your browser.
- When you navigate through the proxy service, your IP address will change by masking it with another IP address of the desired location and routing your traffic through the intermediate server that is not blocked from accessing the content. The video below shows the IP address changing when navigating through the Proxyium proxy service: HOW TO USE PROXY SERVICE TO UNBLOCK YOUTUBE
Tip: Sometimes proxies may slow down your internet connection and therefore affect your YouTube streaming speed. Run the proxy and use a service like Fast.com to determine your internet speed.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you’re dealing with region blocks, network limits, or just want to keep your browsing private, Youtube proxies offer a simple solution to these problems. They’re not only for watching videos; businesses can also benefit from them by scraping YouTube data and staying on top of trends to remain competitive in the market.
Picking the best Youtube proxy can be challenging. You need one that is fast, secure, and reliable while protecting your privacy at the same time. Free proxies work well for normal users and simple activities, but if you care about high performance, paying for a proxy is always a good idea. In the end, the proxy that is best for getting around YouTube blocks depends on what you need.
So, if you want to watch, work, or do research without limits, using the right YouTube unblock proxy can help. However, you need to first ensure that you pick the one based on the features that are most important to you!
