A zip code proxy is a proxy whose IP sits near a US ZIP code you choose. You use it to see what a person in that area sees: local search results, prices, ads and stores.
On Elusive you don't need a special product for this. In the catalog, filter by ZIP code and set a radius. You then pick the exact proxy you want from the matches.
ZIP targeting works for the US. Outside the US, filter by country, region and city instead.
Key takeaways
- ZIP targeting finds IPs near a US ZIP, within a radius you set.
- It helps when a site changes what it shows by area: results, prices, availability, ads.
- Sticky residential keeps the IP up to 24 hours. Mobile is also an option.
- IP locations are approximate, so a nearby IP is the goal, not a perfect match.
- Match the browser timezone to the IP.
What ZIP targeting is for
Many sites tailor what they show to where the visitor seems to be. A ZIP-level IP lets you check this from the outside. Typical jobs:
- Local search results. See how your business or a keyword ranks for people in a certain area.
- Local prices and availability. Check what a shop shows for a given area, or whether a product is in stock nearby.
- Delivery areas. See if a store delivers to a ZIP and what options appear.
- Local ads. Check how your ads or a competitor's show up in a target area.
- Store locators. Confirm that your locator finds the right branches.
- Your listing as a nearby buyer. See how your listing looks to someone close to it.
These are checks on your own work or on public information. A proxy doesn't make anything against a platform's terms OK, so follow each platform's rules.
How the catalog finds IPs
The catalog is live, and you pick proxies one by one. You can filter by:
- ZIP code plus a radius (US only)
- country, region and city
- ISP
- proxy type: residential, mobile or hosting
- online status
You rent each proxy per proxy, not per GB, and there is no bandwidth cap. Residential proxies are IPs of real home internet connections. Mobile proxies are 4G and 5G carrier IPs. Hosting proxies are datacenter IPs, which many consumer sites treat with less trust.
For local checks, residential is the usual choice because it looks like a normal home visitor. Mobile is also an option when the job needs a carrier IP. See mobile vs residential proxies for how they differ.
How to pick an IP near a ZIP
- Open the catalog and choose the United States.
- Enter the ZIP code you want to target.
- Set a radius. Start small, then widen it if nothing matches.
- Choose a proxy type. Residential is the common pick.
- Narrow by ISP if you want a specific network. Keep online status on.
- Pick one proxy from the results and order it.
- Add it to your browser profile as SOCKS5 with the host, port, login and password.
- Check the IP and location in the profile. Then set the timezone to match.
You can see the catalog from the pricing section.
Match the browser to the IP
A US ZIP IP with a browser set to another timezone or language is a mismatch. Sites and platforms can notice it. Set the profile's timezone, language and location to fit the IP. The steps are in match timezone to your proxy.
Common mistakes
- Setting a tiny radius and giving up. If nothing shows, widen the radius.
- Expecting the exact ZIP. You get an IP near it, not inside it.
- Forgetting the timezone. A local IP with a far-away timezone looks off.
- Comparing with a checker that disagrees. See the next section.
- Using a hosting IP for local consumer checks. Pick residential or mobile if the site treats data centers differently.
Limits
Geolocation databases place IPs approximately. The city or ZIP a checker shows may differ from the catalog, and that is normal. Elusive's catalog uses ip-api.com for the listed location. Read why sites show a different city for the details.
A sticky proxy keeps its IP up to 24 hours. Residential proxies run on real home devices that can be switched off or restarted, and an ISP can change an IP, so it can drop earlier.
Mobile IPs can route through carrier hubs, so a mobile proxy may look farther from the ZIP than you expect.
FAQ
Can I get a proxy by ZIP code?
Yes, for US ZIP codes. Filter the catalog by ZIP and radius, then choose a proxy from the results.
How close will the IP be to my ZIP?
It will be within the radius you set, based on the catalog location. Databases are approximate, so other checkers may show a nearby town.
Does ZIP targeting work outside the US?
No. Outside the US, filter by country, region, city and ISP.
Do I need a residential or mobile proxy for local results?
Residential is the usual pick, as it looks like a normal home connection. Mobile is also available. Choose by what the site treats as normal for local visitors.