What the extension is for
Scrapers and bots use proxies through code, but plenty of proxy work is manual. You might want to see a search result from Chicago, check that an ad is running in Germany, or test how your checkout looks from the UK. Rayobyte offers a Chrome browser extension for exactly that: it routes your browser through a Rayobyte proxy with a few clicks, without changing system settings.
What you can do with it
- Switch your browser onto a proxy and back off again quickly.
- Use residential IPs with targeting, so pages load as they would for a local visitor.
- Use static IPs for consistent manual sessions.
- Leave other apps alone. Unlike system-wide settings, only the browser goes through the proxy.
For the manual alternative, see browser proxy settings.
Good uses
- Manual SERP checks. See what a search looks like in a city before you build automated tracking. See Rayobyte for SEO rank tracking.
- Ad verification spot checks. Confirm a campaign is live and correctly targeted. See Rayobyte for ad verification.
- Localization QA. Check currency, language, shipping options and legal banners by country. See Rayobyte geo-targeting.
- Debugging scrapers. When a scraper gets a block page, load the same URL through the same proxy type in your browser to see what's happening.
- Price checks. See what a shopper in another region is charged.
Setting it up
- Install the Rayobyte extension from the Chrome Web Store (follow the link from Rayobyte's site to get the official one).
- Sign in or enter your proxy details from the dashboard.
- Choose the product and, for residential, the location you want.
- Turn the proxy on and visit an IP check page to confirm your exit location.
- Turn it off when you're done, so normal browsing doesn't use your bandwidth.
Residential tip: Before scaling, run a short pilot with Rayobyte on your real targets and record success rate, latency and GB per result. Our our complete Rayobyte guide explains which Rayobyte product fits which job.
Watch your bandwidth
Every page you load through a per-GB product counts against your balance, and modern pages are heavy. A few hours of normal browsing with video can use several GB. For long manual sessions, use a static IP with unmetered bandwidth, or turn off the extension between checks.
Avoiding leaks
A browser extension proxies the browser's web traffic, but some things can still reveal your real location:
- WebRTC can expose your real IP to sites that ask for it. Use a WebRTC leak protection setting or extension. See WebRTC leaks and proxies.
- Time zone and language settings may not match the proxy location. Sites that care about location sometimes check these.
- Logged-in accounts carry their own history. Use a separate Chrome profile for proxy work.
When to use something more
For managing many accounts, each with its own IP and fingerprint, an extension isn't enough. Use an antidetect browser with one static IP per profile. See Rayobyte with antidetect browsers.
Proxy tip: If your residential usage goes up and down, compare Geonode: its per-GB residential bandwidth doesn't expire, so you only pay for what you use. See Rayobyte vs Geonode.
How it compares
Geonode and Webshare both offer Chrome extensions too, and Geonode integrates with many antidetect browsers. The differences are small; choose the one tied to the provider whose IPs you're testing. See Rayobyte vs Geonode browser extensions and integrations and Rayobyte vs Webshare browser extensions and integrations.
For the bigger picture beyond our three partners, read our best proxies buyer's guide, and see cheap proxies for ways to cut cost per successful request.
Budget tip: If you want a cheap proxy to try this with, Webshare has a free plan with 10 datacenter proxies and 1 GB of bandwidth a month, no card required. Paid lists let you pick proxy count, bandwidth and location. See the Webshare Chrome extension.
Key takeaways
- Rayobyte's Chrome extension routes only your browser through a Rayobyte proxy.
- It's ideal for manual SERP, ad, price and localization checks, and for debugging scrapers.
- Watch bandwidth on per-GB products and guard against WebRTC leaks.
- Use an antidetect browser for multi-account work.
FAQ
Is the Rayobyte Chrome extension free?
The extension itself is free; traffic through it uses your Rayobyte products and is billed as usual.
Does the extension proxy other apps?
No. It only affects Chrome.
Can I choose a city in the extension?
Residential targeting options depend on what the extension exposes; check the current version, or generate a targeted proxy string in the dashboard and enter it manually.
Editorial note: Proxy providers change their pools, features and prices often, so treat any figures here as typical ranges at the time of writing and confirm current terms with the provider before you buy.