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Overview

When you sign up for Bright Data with a personal email address you receive a free credit to explore the platform. Certain products require you to add a valid payment method before you can create or use them.
Adding a payment method does not trigger a charge. It is used solely for identity verification and to unlock full product access.

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Who is affected?

This requirement applies if all of the following are true:
ConditionDetail
Email typeYou signed up with a personal / freemail domain
Payment statusNo valid payment method is on file, you are using the free credit only.
Users who signed up with a business email or who already have a payment method on file are not affected and can use all products immediately.

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Which products are gated?

Gated products (payment method required)Available on free credit
Residential ProxySERP API
Mobile ProxyBrowser API
ISP ProxyWeb Scraper API
Datacenter ProxyDatasets Marketplace
Web Unlocker API

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What you will see in the Control Panel

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Zone Creation Wizard - Create Proxy / Add API

When creating a Proxy zone or a Web Unlocker API zone, the wizard includes an additional step:
1

Configure your zone

Choose your product type and assign a name as usual.
2

Set zone options

Configure any additional settings (geolocation, IP type, etc.).
3

Add payment method

Instead of the usual Create Proxy / Add API button, you will see Add payment method. Clicking it opens the payment method form.
4

Finalize creation

Once a valid payment method is saved, your zone is created automatically. If you leave the payment flow without completing it, the zone is not created, but your configuration is saved so you can resume later.
Your zone will not be created until a payment method is successfully added.

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Network Dropdown - SERP API / Browser API configuration

If you are configuring an allowed product (SERP API or Browser API) and attempt to switch the underlying network to a gated product, the restricted networks appear grayed out in the dropdown:
  • Unlocker API
  • Residential
  • Mobile
  • ISP
  • Datacenter
Hovering over a grayed-out option displays a tooltip:
“Add a payment method to unlock this product.”
The tooltip includes a link that opens the payment method form directly.

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Trial Credit Modal - “See Details”

In the credit breakdown modal, gated products display a “Payment method required” badge next to:
  • Web Unlocker
  • Proxy Networks (covers Residential, Mobile, Datacenter, ISP)
The modal footer includes an “Add payment method” button (primary style) alongside the existing “Got it” button.

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How to add a payment method

1

Go to the Billing page

Navigate to Billing Settings or click Add payment method from any of the prompts described above.
2

Choose a payment method

Select one of the supported methods: Credit Card, PayPal, AliPay, or Payoneer. For details, see Accepted Payment Methods.
3

Complete verification

Follow the on-screen steps. A temporary pre-authorization may appear on your statement, this is not a charge and will be released by your bank within 1–14 business days.
4

Access unlocked

After verification you will:
  • Have full access to all Bright Data products
  • Receive a $5 bonus credit
  • Be upgraded to the 30-day Limited Trial

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FAQs

No. Adding a payment method triggers a temporary pre-authorization only. You are not charged until you actively add funds or set up auto-recharge.
Yes. Go to Account Settings and update your email. Once verified with a business domain, the gating restriction is removed even without a payment method.
Your existing free credit remains available plus you receive an additional $5 verification bonus. Your trial is also extended to 30 days.
No. Your zone configuration is saved. When you return and successfully add a payment method, the zone creation completes automatically.