To distinguish between datacenter and residential proxies, you can take several steps:
Firstly, analyze the IP range, as datacenter proxies often fall within specific ranges used by hosting providers, while residential IPs vary widely.
Secondly, employ reverse IP lookup tools to identify whether the IP is linked to a datacenter or an ISP.
Header analysis of HTTP requests may also reveal the proxy's origin, with datacenter proxies often bearing distinctive headers.
Additionally, consider using proxy detection services that maintain databases of known proxy types. Lastly, assess response times, geolocation, and user reports for further insights into the proxy's nature.