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I think it is not a coincidence. I have experienced this a few times with other providers.
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…
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.
You should just query the WHOIS database. At least, that's what I do.
If you see any of these zero value domains get registered you have your answer, or at least a very high confidence in your initial assumption.
I think it is not a coincidence. I have experienced this a few times with other providers.
On a related note, in addition to this domain name front running, who can I turn to, if I want to purchase a domain name anonymously (so my public info isn't obvious).
-HTH
For interesting results, whois google.com
So... When you register a domain the registrar has to pay the registry com/net/org etc immediately. The registry will return the registration fees for any domains that are canceled. However if a registrar has >10% or their total monthly registrations cancelled within the 5 day grace, they do not get that money back.
This has essentially ended these practices.
HTH
Full Disclosure: I used to work for a registry.
There's no way for me to tell if it is truly a coincidence or not (especially without knowing the domain name), but I do want to let you know that Go Daddy absolutely does not participate in what is known as "domain front running". We have reviewed the domain name search system we have in place and are confident it is extremely secure. In other words, though there are potential explanations for what you experienced (including plain old coincidence), it is not the result of Go Daddy monitoring a domain search and registering the name before you could.
We encourage you and any other user to search for domains using our domain name search and/or WHOIS search system, and we would recommend NOT "searching" for a domain by simply typing it into your browser to see if a site resolves. In addition, you should maintain up-to-date protection on your computer to prevent malware/spyware that may infect it. And finally, we concur with others in this thread - as soon as you know you want a domain, register it immediately to avoid the possibility of someone else grabbing it first.
If you have other questions about our services, please feel free to contact GoDaddy.com Customer Support. They are available 24/7/365; contact info is here: http://x.co/Tz4q
As always, thank you for choosing GoDaddy.com.
Alon GoDaddy.com Social Media
That's not to say they don't register and own their own, but using your entries as a gauge to see if they want to register something is pretty unethical for a registrar I'd think, even for godaddy :).