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I have noticed a disturbing situation: Verizon is stealing traffic from unused domains and subdomains and directing Verizon customers to various places. For most of the thefts, Verizon customers are directed to a parking page filled with ads
For example, asad.1-25.com (this is my domain, and the subdomain is unused) goes here for Verizon customers:
More specifically, if an unused subdomain domain name is similar to another name, Verizon engages some kind of algorithm and redirects it to a specific page, for example,
For Verizon customers, the unused subdomain Sales.1-25.com takes them to
I have tested this on some of my other unused subdomains, and I have found the same redirect.
In other words, Verizon is stealing pieces of YOUR unused property to redirect it to their ads on their parking pages and their advertisers.
Even if you aren't a Verizon customer, you are still affected because if a Verizon customer does a search on your unused domain or subdomain, they will be redirected to Verizon parking pages or specific pages with similar terms. It doesn't matter who owns the domain.
Why is this important?
This week, I'm going to look into the possibility of getting a lawyer to send a Cease and Desist letter to Verizon, and perhaps file a contingency or class action lawsuit.
If your internet provider is Verizon, I invite you to test this for yourself, on both my examples and your own unused domains.
By the way, these are Go Daddy domains; unfortunately, Go Daddy does not offer subdomain wildcarding, but, perhaps, they should start.
UPDATE: Changed category to "Discuss"
For example, asad.1-25.com (this is my domain, and the subdomain is unused) goes here for Verizon customers:
More specifically, if an unused subdomain domain name is similar to another name, Verizon engages some kind of algorithm and redirects it to a specific page, for example,
For Verizon customers, the unused subdomain Sales.1-25.com takes them to
I have tested this on some of my other unused subdomains, and I have found the same redirect.
In other words, Verizon is stealing pieces of YOUR unused property to redirect it to their ads on their parking pages and their advertisers.
Even if you aren't a Verizon customer, you are still affected because if a Verizon customer does a search on your unused domain or subdomain, they will be redirected to Verizon parking pages or specific pages with similar terms. It doesn't matter who owns the domain.
Why is this important?
1. THEY ARE STEALING FROM YOU AND MAKING MONEY OFF YOUR DIGITAL PROPERTY!
2. Most importantly, if their ad pages are filled with ads that could be construed as trademark infringement, YOU COULD LOSE THE DOMAIN in a UDRP, even though you are completely innocent!!!
2. Most importantly, if their ad pages are filled with ads that could be construed as trademark infringement, YOU COULD LOSE THE DOMAIN in a UDRP, even though you are completely innocent!!!
This week, I'm going to look into the possibility of getting a lawyer to send a Cease and Desist letter to Verizon, and perhaps file a contingency or class action lawsuit.
If your internet provider is Verizon, I invite you to test this for yourself, on both my examples and your own unused domains.
By the way, these are Go Daddy domains; unfortunately, Go Daddy does not offer subdomain wildcarding, but, perhaps, they should start.
UPDATE: Changed category to "Discuss"
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