Be Careful When Checking If A Domain is Available!
June 13th, 2008
Promotion, Web Design
Domain name front running is the practice whereby a domain name registrar uses insider information to register domains for the purpose of re-selling them or earning revenue via ads placed on the domains landing page. By registering the domains, the registrar locks out other potential registrars from selling the domain to a customer. The registrar typically takes advantage of the 5-day “domain tasting” trial period, where the domain can be locked without payment.
Maybe I’m crazy or maybe I just became one of the newest victims of this underhanded practice. The other day I was thinking about ideas for future website projects. I wanted to see if a certain domain was available, so I fired up the Godaddy website I’ve used for years, and typed in LVWD.net. Alas is was available! I wrote the idea down and filed it away for when I had more time to research. That was on Tuesday. Today, Friday, I decided to actually purchase the domain name and no dice. Someone magically flew into my head, grabbed the idea, and went to town. Let’s see, who grabbed it:
http://www.networksolutions.com
Visit AboutUs.org for more information about LVWD.NET
AboutUs: LVWD.NET
Registrant:
LiveWorld, inc.
4340 Stevens Creek Blvd
Ste 101
San Jose, CA 95129
USDomain Name: LVWD.NET
Interesting. And when was it registered?
Record expires on 12-Jun-2009.
Record created on 12-Jun-2008.
Database last updated on 13-Jun-2008 12:57:21 EDT.
Thursday, or the day before I tried to buy the domain. What the hell? It looks like the person/company that registered has a related domain. LVWD could be a shortened way of saying Liveworld, I’ll grant them that. But what are the chances that after owning their domain for 12 years they finally decide to spring for this somewhat relevant domain days after I checked the availibility? Either I’m paranoid or Godaddy sold my search.
Domain Front Running isn’t exactly new
After looking around, it’s clear that this subject has been covered:
Network Solutions claimed caught front-running
Domain Name Front Running
Who is really monitering your domain searches
Domain Front Running by Registrars Continues to Draw Attention
Network Solutions, ICANN Sued Over Domain Front Running
I managed to miss the news stories, and I consider myself somewhat informed with this stuff.
I’d love to hear some feedback
- Do you think I am incredibly uninformed in the domain name industry?
- Have you been aware of this and avoided using Godaddy or Netsol?
- Have you lost a domain to this yourself?
- Who do you use for checking domain names to avoid front runnners?
Update
Today (Monday) I received a call from a rep at Godaddy regarding this issue. I had sent them an email on Friday regarding this domain name. He assured me that Godaddy isn’t front running, Godaddy is against what Network Solutions is doing, and Godaddy is not sharing WHOIS search data with anyone. As nicely as he could, he explained it was a big coincidence and that he was surprised that a 4-letter .net name (without numbers) was still even available.
I appreciated the call, and I’m impressed that Godaddy went out of their way to respond to my email with a phone call. I’m not quite sure what happened, but next time I see a good domain I’m buying it right away. Better safe than sorry 
June 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I don’t trust any registrar anymore. When I want to know if a domain is available I do a DNS lookup on it’s NS records instead of using their web interface or whois. It will just hit the root servers and no registrar will know that I did this. Maybe it is paranoia, but I too have lost some domains that I wanted in exactly the same way you describe.
S.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Youre not alone, I experienced also this thing.
Then I found this link:
http://blog.domaintools.com/2008/01/network-solutions-steals-domain-ideas-confirmed/
Thats why I have stopped using Network Solutions as the site where I search for avaliable domains, but also as a company where I buy my domains. I dont want to support a company which does such amoral things.
But that GoDaddy also should do this, is first time I have heard of, so thank you for telling us.
Now that company is on my blacklist too.
I have been recommended by a friend this following site as a reliable and secure site to do the searching and buying:
http://www.77gb.net
Thanks again for informing us about these things.
Best regards,
June 14th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I was doing similar for my domain name. I was going to go with my actual name (kenschwencke.com), but when I realized how expensive networksolutions was, I immediately switched registrars…only to find out via a quick whois that networksolutions had registered my name! For a year!
Now, to be fair, they dropped it a few months later…but that was certainly shady business practice. And goddamnd to those shysters try to charge an arm and a leg for a name.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Let’s just say you’re less incredibly uninformed now. We all learn something new every other day.
I’ve been aware of this for the longest time, even during my previous life in the domain registrar business. NetSol did this start of the year, and they both consistently state they don’t sell those queries or use them for their own benefit. (although one can argue otherwise with NetSol…)
Dang it, I’ve been trying that for who knows how long. I STILL haven’t lost a name!
I check the authoritative Registry of the extension since ALL registrars check them for any sort of query for a domain name. For .com, it’s http://registrar.verisign-grs.com/whois .
Of course, if you can’t trust that, then I don’t know who you can trust…
June 20th, 2008 at 2:07 am
This sure is an eye opener and I am surprised by the revelation. Is there a place where consumers can raise their voice for this malpractice. This has to be stopped, you can’t compete against established business and to pay $35 for something worth $5 is a refined form of extortion.
Shame to NetSol. I used them in 2003, but since then haven’t ever used them, and fortunately don’t need to go to other registrars for registering domain names …
Thanks for sharing this information with the world Kevin!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Not to be an asshole, but you’re an idiot if you found a 4 char com/net/org and didn’t register it right away. Even those 4 char domains that people have trouble coming up with a meaning for are selling decently.
I’m sure you feel the same way - so no offense.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
The Godaddy rep basically said the same thing
You’re absolutely right - I should have purchased it right away. I don’t have a good excuse. I did learn a valuable lesson though.
June 28th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I’ve heard of that before with network solutions, but not with godaddy. If you try my site http://www.domainnamesoup.com to see if a domain is available, you can add it to your favourites but just don’t click on it as it will probably take you to godaddy.
August 16th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Read about this practice before, but didn’t take it that seriously. Until…
Found domain available with Net2 - now Namesco - and overnight it went. Recently checked four domains with Namesco - all available - and WITHIN 2 HOURS they had gone. This is crazy stuff.
December 20th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Very interesting. I’m not really a conspiracy theorist - BUT I’m not one to beleive in “funny coincidences” either.
Godaddy is a business. Their purpose is to make money. And I’m sure they’ll participate in such activity to generate revenues.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
The same exact thing happened to me at goDaddy, two days later gone. Could be a coincidence I guess; I vowed to always purchase immediately before they can sell the search.
February 14th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Great article, I’m going to subscribe to your blog. Thanks for the insight
February 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
My honest advise is that you should never, never search for a domain name until you are ready to purchase it.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 am
Great article, I’m going to subscribe to your blog. Thanks for the insight