Bright Data ensures secure access to its services. Bright Data provides two primary methods for authentication:
  1. API Access - Authenticate and interact with the Bright Data platform using an API key/token.
  2. Native Access - Authenticate and interact with the Bright Data platform using proxy protocol username and password.
Both API and Native access methods are billed at the same rate. Usage is charged according to your pricing plan for each Bright Data product.

​
How do I authenticate with API Key?

An API key is a secure hashed token used to authenticate with Bright Data API. We create a default key for you upon account creation automatically. You can create additional API keys for different users and with different permissions.
Manage your API Keys anytime in the Account settings.

​
How do I relay the API key within a request?

Here’s an example request:
Sample Request
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.brightdata.com/request \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer <token>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "zone": "my_unlocker_zone",
    "url": "https://example.com/page",
    "format": "json",
    "method": "GET",
    "country": "us",
    "data_format": "markdown"
  }'
The important part of this request is the Authorization header: 
'Authorization: Bearer <token>'
This <token> is your API key, which is required for every API request.

​
How do I generate a new API key?

To generate a new API key, follow these steps:
1

Sign In

Sign in to Bright Data’s control panel and go to your Account settings.
2

Click 'Add API key'

Click the Add API key button in the top right of the API key section.
If you don’t see the ‘API key’ section, switch to your admin account. Only admins can generate API keys.
3

Configure your API key

Set the User, Permissions, and Expiration date (or choose ‘Unlimited’), then click Save.
4

Save your API key locally

Once generated, your API key will only be shown once. Be sure to save it in a secure location.

​
What are API Key options and configuration?

When creating an API key, you can assign one of five permission levels to control access and ensure security based on user roles or use cases. Learn more about user roles here.

​
What permissions level does an API key have?

There are 5 types of permissions to choose from to control API key access:
  • Admin: Grants full access to the account, including all Billing, Financial, product settings and configurations.
  • Finance: Allows access to Billing and Financial pages only.
  • Ops: Allows access to zone/product configurations but restricts Billing access.
  • Limit: Permits management of zone passwords and IP allowlists/denylists.
  • User: Enables API usage on the zone/product level without access to Billing or product configuration pages.

​
Does the API Key have an expiration date?

When creating an API key, you can setup its expiration date. Requests authenticating with this key past the expiration date will be denied. You can setup the expiration date as unlimited - although this is possible, we strongly recommend to setup an expiration date. Consult your organization’s information or data security officer for instructions.

​
How can I view the API Key settings and configuration?

You can view and manage your API Keys in Account settings.

​
Why can’t I see a plain text version of my API Key, or copy it?

For your security, we do not allow plain text view of API keys with admin permissions. After creation you will be offered to copy and save the key.

​
Can I refresh the API key?

Yes. Once you click “Refresh” we will generate a new API key. After the refresh, any request you will send with the old key will fail to authenticate.

​
Where should I save the API key with admin permissions?

API keys are like passwords and should be dealt and saved with outmost care and under controlled access. Consult your IT manager or security administrator on how and where to save the keys per your organizations’ processes and regulation.

​
How do I authenticate with native proxy protocol?

​
Which product zones can I access with proxy protocol?

Proxy protocol access is supported by:
  • All proxy networks (Datacenter, ISP, residential & mobile)
  • Web Unlocker
  • Scraping browser

​
How do I autheticate with native proxy username and password?

Here’s an example of a Native Access request:
Sample Request
curl "https://www.example.com" \
  -i --proxy brd.superproxy.io:33335 \
  --proxy-user brd-customer-[ACCOUNT_ID]-zone-[ZONE_NAME]:[ZONE_PASSWORD]
The key part of this request is the --proxy-user parameter which holds the authentication credentials:
proxy-user
brd-customer-[ACCOUNT_ID]-zone-[ZONE_NAME]:[ZONE_PASSWORD]
This parameter is made up of three elements combined into a single string:
  1. ACCOUNT_ID - your unique customer identifier.
  2. ZONE_NAME - the name of the zone you created.
  3. ZONE_PASSWORD - the password associated with your zone.
Together, they form the complete proxy-user value.

​
Username/password format

  • All the parameters are case sensitive.
  • There must be a consecutive string without spaces.
  • - (dash/minus sign) separates between the username substrings, and : (colon) between the username string and the password.

​
Account ID

Your Account ID is a unique identifier automatically generated when your Bright Data account is created. It is used for authentication and account-related operations. To find your Account ID, follow these steps:
1

Click on Account Settings in the left-hand menu.

2

Open the Profile tab.

3

Locate and copy your Account ID.

Account ID
Your Account ID is always a text string that begins with hl_###.

​
Zone name

Zone is a bright data collection of configuration, for specific service. Read more about what is a zone here. The zone name is set **once **by you when zone is created, and it cannot be changed later. You can review all of your zone names by visiting My zones.

​
Zone password

Each zone is assigned a unique password that is required for authenticating both API and Native Access requests. To view or update your zone password, follow these steps:
1

Open My zones in your dashboard.

2

Go to the Configuration tab.

3

Scroll down to the Security Settings section and expand it.

4

Copy your current password, or generate a new one if needed.

​
Comparing API Access vs. Native Access

FeatureAPI AccessNative Access
Used forSeamless integration with scripts, automation tools, or third-party APIsDirect proxy connections in browsers, crawlers, or proxy-compatible tools
Recommended products- Unlocker API
- SERP
- Browsers
- Scrapers
- Functions
- Marketplace		Proxies
SSL certificateNot requiredRequired to access without KYC the residential network & unlocker. More info here.
Connection viaAPI endpointProxy endpoint
AuthenticationAPI keyusername:password
Output optionsHTML or JSONHTML