Configure the Node Unblocker middleware options to block third-party analytics scripts, Google Ads, and tracking pixels. This reduces the processing load on your serverless function and prevents timeouts. javascript
How to deploy a Node/Express App to Vercel | by Andrew Baisden
"name": "vercel-unblocker", "version": "1.0.0", "dependencies": "node-unblocker": "^2.5.0" node unblocker vercel
| Feature | Vercel (Node Unblocker) | Dedicated VPS / VPS Provider | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Free | $4 - $6 / month (avg) | | Speed | Slow (Cold Starts) | Fast (Dedicated Resources) | | Reliability | Low (Timeouts frequent) | High | | Setup Difficulty | Easy (1-click) | Medium (Command line required) | | Anonymity | Low (IP belongs to Vercel) | Higher |
Vercel Hobby accounts have a (Pro accounts have up to 5 minutes) for Serverless Functions. If a proxied website takes too long to load, streams massive content, or uses long-polling, Vercel will terminate the function prematurely, resulting in a 504 Gateway Timeout error. 2. No WebSockets Support Configure the Node Unblocker middleware options to block
Install the required Node Unblocker package. You will also need raw-body or a similar utility to handle stream processing within serverless constraints. npm install unblocker Use code with caution. 3. Create the Serverless Function
Ensure your usage adheres to the Vercel Acceptable Use Policy. Avoid using the proxy for automated scraping, heavy media streaming, or accessing malicious content, as this can result in immediate account suspension. If a proxied website takes too long to
Once deployed, your Node Unblocker proxy will be live. You can test it by accessing a blocked URL like this:
: Vercel runs code as Serverless Functions , meaning the proxy only "exists" when a request is made, making it highly efficient.
Create a new directory on your local machine and initialize a Node.js project.
Serverless functions have maximum execution timeouts (usually 10 to 60 seconds depending on your Vercel plan).