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Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#11

Post by ffumarola »

Interesting, I actually posted this to someone 9 days ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2292453

Here was my comment:

I'm not sure who doesn't do it. I just try to go to the domain and see if there is any server side activity (error page, holding page, etc).

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_tasting

"By February 2007, the CEO of Go Daddy reported that of 55.1 million domain names registered, 51.5 million were canceled and refunded just before the 5 day grace period expired and only 3.6 million domain names were actually kept."

"In January 2008, Network Solutions was publicly accused of this practice when the company began reserving all domain names searched on their website for five days,[7] a practice known as domain name front running."

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#12

Post by alexjawad »

MichaelStubbs wrote: post #8

If I remember correctly, Network Solutions does this as well. Edit: Apparently there's a name for this practice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_front_running

Thanks for the link!

Since a huge chunk of the identity of businesses is their homepage, coming up with a great name (or several, so you can test them) that also has an available .com-address is probably the biggest headache in branding in my opinion.

Shouldn't this be controlled better? Shouldn't it even be illegal?

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#13

Post by bmelton »

alexjawad wrote: post #4

In that case, it's outrageous! What provider should one use to securely search for available domain names?

whois.sc is the registrar that initially pointed out the 'domain name front running' practice to me, and advertises that they find it deplorable, and definitely don't do it.

I generally use them when I'm trying to iron down what domain I actually want, and don't hit a registrar until I've got credit card in hand, and am ready to buy.

According to the article they posted, ISPs also sell reports of popular mis-typed domains to would-be squatters as well. So in addition to avoiding most registrars, you should also avoid the popular urge of 'just type the url into your address bar' method of seeing if a domain is taken.

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#14

Post by bmelton »

ffumarola wrote: post #11

Interesting, I actually posted this to someone 9 days ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2292453 Here was my comment: I'm not sure who doesn't do it. I just try to go to the domain and see if there is any server side activity (error page, holding page, etc). From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_tasting "By February 2007, the CEO of Go Daddy reported that of 55.1 million domain names registered, 5…

As I just posted elsewhere in this thread -- the "go to the domain" idea is also flawed, in that ISPs sell that information to would-be domain squatters as well.

It's perhaps slower than losing it to a registrar, but it's no safer.

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#15

Post by sagacity »

alexjawad wrote: post #4

In that case, it's outrageous! What provider should one use to securely search for available domain names?

Here is the 'mothership' - I guess your searches should be as secure as they can be:

http://internic.net/whois.html

[From site footer:

InterNIC is a registered service mark of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is licensed to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which operates this web site.]

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#17

Post by ffumarola »

bmelton wrote: post #14
ffumarola wrote: post #11

Interesting, I actually posted this to someone 9 days ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2292453 Here was my comment: I'm not sure who doesn't do it. I just try to go to the domain and see if there is any server side activity (error page, holding page, etc). From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_tasting "By February 2007, the CEO of Go Daddy reported that of 55.1 million domain names registered, 5…

As I just posted elsewhere in this thread -- the "go to the domain" idea is also flawed, in that ISPs sell that information to would-be domain squatters as well. It's perhaps slower than losing it to a registrar, but it's no safer.

What is the safe way? I genuinely am interested so I know how to proceed in the future.

I've NEVER had a domain snagged from me by going directly to the domain (even when I wound up registering it a week or two later). I've had a domain taken from me multiple times by the domain registration sites... sometimes within a few hours.

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#18

Post by bmelton »

ffumarola wrote: post #17
bmelton wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As I just posted elsewhere in this thread -- the "go to the domain" idea is also flawed, in that ISPs sell that information to would-be domain squatters as well. It's perhaps slower than losing it to a registrar, but it's no safer.

What is the safe way? I genuinely am interested so I know how to proceed in the future. I've NEVER had a domain snagged from me by going directly to the domain (even when I wound up registering it a week or two later). I've had a domain taken from me multiple times by the domain registration sites... sometimes within a few hours.

I'm not saying that all registrars or evil, or that all ISPs are; but not knowing which to trust, I go with the one organization that has decried the practice as evil and sworn never to do it -- whois.sc.

I'm sure there are other ethical registrars / ISPs as well, I just don't know of any.

Re: Does GoDaddy register domains you search?

#20

Post by sushumna »

Whoa!! I had the same experience and I too felt that "what if some one is registering the domain we are searching for availability?" They are doing something like patent Trolling. when I wanted to register one with ".me" all names I was looking for are blocked for auction.why the hell they have to do auction, it should be FCFS.
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