Domain Name search warning !

Sphinsxo · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 05:02 PM

Today I was searching for a good domain name, made a list of a few I thought were good. Went to make a cup of tea and to think about which one to choose and guess what?

Two of the domin names I had short-listed were bought within 30 minutes of me finding them as available.

'So what'? you are thinking.. but the thing is, they were bought by GoDaddy themseleves after I searched on their site and found them available 30 mintes prior.

I know it was they who had bought it, I did a Whois search, and the domain names were bought 10 minutes after I made the initial search.

In short:
Don't search for domain names on their site or if you don't buy the domain within a minute or two, they will buy it and probably resell it at premium rate to you later.

CanSpace · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 05:08 PM

Wow that is terrible and incredibly unethical. I would have thought ICANN would disallow (accredited) registrars from purchasing domain names for the purpose of resale. I know CIRA does this (for .ca domains).

Sphinsxo · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 05:15 PM

I don't exactly have anything against them bulk-buying, they are out there to make money but to snap it up withing minutes of me finding it available on their search tool, that's the bit I was so surprised about.

Yes, very unethical to say the least.

I am not here to have a go at them, I am sure people use them and most are probably happy with them, I have even bought domains from them in the past. I just don't want anybody to feel the disappointment I felt today.

Tilak · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 06:03 AM

Yes, I have heard same kind of complaints about Network Solution last year.

http://blog.domaintools.com/2008/01/...as-confirmed/2

taunon · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 06:58 AM

Hard to believe, since there are probably thousands of lookups every minute.
Godaddy's lookup tools rely on 3rd party providers and therefore may sometimes give false availiability data.

Also, if anyone would be involved in such activities, they would probably use private registration that masks domain ownership info. I've used Godaddy for years for bulk lookups and have never had any issues like this.

websiteguy · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 06:59 AM

Exactly, they are their to do biz. if you are able to find a good domain buy it at once.

Sphinsxo · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taunon

Hard to believe, since there are probably thousands of lookups every minute.
Godaddy's lookup tools rely on 3rd party providers and therefore may sometimes give false availiability data.

Also, if anyone would be involved in such activities, they would probably use private registration that masks domain ownership info. I've used Godaddy for years for bulk lookups and have never had any issues like this.

Who knows, maybe I had miss-typed the domain on the first occasion. Never mind, I hope I am wrong and in that case, I stand corrected.

**Cricket** · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sphinsxo

Who knows, maybe I had miss-typed the domain on the first occasion. Never mind, I hope I am wrong and in that case, I stand corrected.

It is commonly referred to as domain name front running and is highly debated. Take some time to read through Google search results for that term and you will find some pretty convincing evidence that is does indeed exist. Maybe not to the extent that it did a few years back, but there are still a ton of new complaints about this practice.
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1...+front+running

~kev~ · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilak

Yes, I have heard same kind of complaints about Network Solution last year.

I remember hearing about it last year as well.

A lot of times people will search for a domain name, find one they like, then think about it and do some research before they buy.

Some people that are serious about building sites will do keyword research on the domain name. This includes stuff like market saturation, pay per click programs, competition, how popular the keywords are, long term project or short term, few other factors,,,,,.

Once all of the research is done, then they will go back and buy the domain name - only to find that an employee (or script) of godaddy or Network Solutions has bought the name for the company. Then, if you "really" want that name your going to pay a lot more for it.

To get around this, find a company that does not snatch up domains with certain keywords.

redmodels · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 12:47 PM

yup, they can do and they do that..
not againts the law..

usually I search the domain using google or just type the domain on the address bar..

SiberForum · #11 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 04:22 AM

In any case there are some tools like domaintools you can use and this tool is not sticked with any domain name registration service

bobchrist · #12 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 12:45 AM

Moral: While searching domain name be prepared to buy the domain name instantly if the desired name is available.

appsdevelopers · #13 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodels

yup, they can do and they do that..
not againts the law..

usually I search the domain using google or just type the domain on the address bar..

I may this is not against the law but there is something named ethics.

dejanlesi · #14 (**permalink**) 12-21-2009, 03:43 AM

You can avoid this by not going through registrar search.. I use this tool which is free for download. It has a lot extensions that you can check and it is all around useful

I am not associated with it in anyway.. Here is the DL link if you are interested:
http://domain-name-analyzer-v4.software.informer.com/

TechPro4U · #15 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009, 04:15 PM

I'm not saying it is impossible but can you imagine the hundreds of names that get searched every minute at Godaddy.com? What computer program would know which ones to buy? Or who would have time to monitor that?

**Cricket** · #16 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechPro4U

I'm not saying it is impossible but can you imagine the hundreds of names that get searched every minute at Godaddy.com? What computer program would know which ones to buy? Or who would have time to monitor that?

If memory serves me correctly on how it was done, it was all very automated but with ICANN hitting folks in the pocketbook over domain tasting, we are seeing very little of it these days.

http://www.icann.org/en/announcement...12aug09-en.htm
http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/agp-sta...12aug09-en.htm

alewela · #17 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 09:06 PM

This is my first post in V7N forum.

I'd like to warn the world of webmasters, especially the new/inexperienced ones in order for them not to make the same mistake as I did.

I have terrible experience with DomainSite.com. I searched quite a few domain names early this month. The best one among them was lost the same day I searched it. It was registered by someone else.

Through Whois service, I found that the creation date and update date are the same. They are both the day I searched it on DomainSite. I also believe that if creation date and update date is the same, it means it was registered for the first time. In other words, the domain name was there for years withouth anyone touched for even once, but it was registered the same day I searched it. It cannot be a coincedence.

I cannot tell if there is security problem with DomainSite's web site, or it's DomainSite to leak/sell the information to the registrant, or DomainSite is owned by the registrant. But one thing is for sure, searching domain names on DomainSite is dangerous.

Furthermore, if you do a domain name check for "domainsite.com", the domain name of DomainSite itself, on DomainTools.com, you'll find that "domainsite.com" is for sale. No *normal* domain registrant sells their own domain.

More information are available here:
[removed]

The best suggestion I can give to other domain name seekers, based on the issue I've experienced, is that:
Do *NOT* use DomainSite in any way.

sharlen · #18 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 09:47 PM

thanks for letting us know. It is helpful for new comers

SiberForum · #19 (**permalink**) 12-29-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

thanks for letting us know. It is helpful for new comers

Not every newcoms read this thread

SiberForum · #20 (**permalink**) 12-29-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Furthermore, if you do a domain name check for "domainsite.com", the domain name of DomainSite itself, on DomainTools.com, you'll find that "domainsite.com" is for sale. No *normal* domain registrant sells their own domain.

They can do with domain name whatever they want. But at the same time that is not good sign for the new customers