domains Atom launches Cloud Broker program

[equity78]

Atom.com announced their Cloud Broker program on X and all the details are on their helpdesk. So now if you want to promote Atom premium listing domains, you can. Here is what it says for the broker side, their is a bunch of info for sellers as well. How Does It Work For Cloud Brokers? […]
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[Future Sensors]

19,539 domains participating in this program now.

 

[silentg]

They have updated the terms:

Important Terms For Cloud Brokers​

• To promote domains, you need to apply to become an Approved Cloud Broker. If you are not yet an approved Cloud Broker and try to generate a Cloud Broker link, you will be redirected to submit your application first. Atom will evaluate the information provided in your application and approve or deny your request based on various criteria, including your previous experience in outbound marketing, understanding of trademark issues, plan for promoting domains (e.g. outbound marketing, blogs), and other relevant factors.
• Directly targeting Trademark holders of specific domains is prohibited.
• The additional 10% discount is for private negotiations only and cannot be publicly promoted.
• Cloud Brokers must not represent themselves as the domain owner.
• Buyers are not allowed to become Cloud Brokers (directly or indirectly) for purchasing domains on Atom.com
• If multiple Cloud brokers pitch the same domain to same buyer, the Cloud Broker whose link is most recently clicked will receive the commission.
• Commission is payable only for completed transactions once the domain is transferred to the buyer.
• Commission for payment plans is paid upon full completion and transfer of the domain.
  

This is a Beta program and we may make updates to the program as well as Terms based on ongoing learnings.

https://helpdesk.atom.com/en/articles/9627442-atom-com-cloud-broker-program

Keep on giving feedback. I asked them add the option to add domains to Cloud Brokerage from Domains Listing page.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I have many of the concerns expressed by others on this. For certain names it may make sense, and I do appreciate that the default is not to be opted in. The process will bring visibility to some names, but there may be negatives along with that.

IF they were going to do this I would have thought that having a process to apply for 'broker' status would make sense, maybe even a short online course to be completed, and for sure a test to show understanding of the rules and guidelines, and even an ethical concerns section. Edit -- I see from @silentg post below that this is, to some degree, already in place. Well done.

If there ever was a program that ramping up from a very small, tightly controlled, early test this was it.

-Bob

 

[silentg]

Right now when you try to Generate the link: You'll see this message to Apply to become the Cloud Broker.

"Currently this program is only available to Approved Cloud Brokers. Click here to apply to become a Cloud Broker"

Click here takes you here:

 

[Bob Hawkes]

It would be interesting to get opinions from those who have worked as domain brokers in the traditional sense on what they think of this initiative.

 

[Leo2k]

Their terms do state, "Directly targeting Trademark holders of specific domains is prohibited.".

But we all know how well people follow instructions...

I would have preferred it if they made you apply to be a cloud broker and select brokers based on their experience, existing domains, social media, etc.

They have an option to exclude domains from the cloud list. So we can add the trademark names to the excluded list to be safe.

 

[CheapBrandables]

What a disappointment! We signed up years ago to have our Atom names outbounded by a broker. It was going to be 'real' brokers, with one assigned to each account. We followed up a few times early on and were met with 'it's coming' responses. Obviously they never got enough actual brokers to make the program work, and now this! I was excited when I got the email because I thought they had finally figured out how to institute the original program. What a disappointment Atom .... another disappointment, I should say!

 

[biggie]

Atom.com

Hi

they should have kept the squadhelp name

atom sucks as a brand for them.
they used domainer money to buy that name and now they are f'ing up the industry with this bs borker shiz-zit.

everybody will have a client now for sure.

will not use their service!

imo...

 

[draco]

What a disappointment! We signed up years ago to have our Atom names outbounded by a broker. It was going to be 'real' brokers, with one assigned to each account. We followed up a few times early on and were met with 'it's coming' responses. Obviously they never got enough actual brokers to make the program work, and now this! I was excited when I got the email because I thought they had finally figured out how to institute the original program. What a disappointment Atom .... another disappointment, I should say!

If you have REALLY good names, you do get a broker with their Ultra Premium marketplace.

It sounds like they may be assigning brokers to additional accounts later this year, as their new program progresses and they evaluate the brokers.

 

[Future Sensors]

42,903 domains participating in this program now.

 

[Lox]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1814145947695235431

 

[Future Sensors]

Here's an impression of just some random domains that participate in the Atom.com Cloud Broker Program via opt-in (not my domains). Good luck to the brokers!

Link: https://www.atom.com/cloud-broker/all/q/google

 

[bmugford]

This is one of countless ideas that are great in theory but not in practice.

I think it's a terrible idea in theory, and will be an absolute debacle in practice.

The idea that you are going to give some random 3rd party permission to spam your domains is crazy IMO.

Brad

 

[Mister Funsky]

Both in the domain world as well as in general business world life, this seems to rank as one of the most crack induced moves I've seen in the last 6 months...of course, I could be wrong.

Has someone mentioned 'hail mary' previously?!?

 

[Bravo Mod Team]

I think it's a terrible idea in theory

This sounds nice in theory, albeit romanticized and unlikely:

- Content creators and bloggers who write about naming and branding topics (e.g. "10 best domains for Health AI startups").​

- Established businesses like branding agencies and CPAs who can pitch relevant names from our Marketplace to their existing clients.​

Atom should probably block clearly-problematic domains from participating in the program.

 

[Future Sensors]

48,697 domains participating in this program now.

 

[zotix]

From my perspective, this is a good revenue stream for Atom & might boost their CTR - which is then another marketing point to go with Atom.
From the finance pov, their overhead costs will decrease due to lower internal admin costs.

But as others wrote, TM-related issues, bots that might abuse this feature with spamming - in the long run, they must establish a robust monitoring system to track this. It's currently in the early stages, so Atom should be careful - even Domain Parking is abused with specific tactics, even after multiple years of going live.

The other point is: How are they maintaining brand consistency? Are "brokers" getting a guideline or something?
But I can repeat the others: Keeping the TM-related stuff safe, setting clear boundaries, and implementing strict consequences are the most important things. Otherwise, I see an ample compliance & risk mitigation topic.

Those business ideas often come with knowledge-sharing & community-building to exchange and teach the "brokers".

Im not much into this topic of Atom; just read the OP Article and the comments.

But @Future Sensors Numbers show that the demand is high.

Need to read more about this. Could be a big thing; but also something that causes reputational risk.

Best
zotix

 

[Bobo Bobo]

Define: Broker

 

[zotix]

Define: Broker

I think you did not read the Thread right?

https://www.namepros.com/threads/atom-launches-cloud-broker-program.1330685/post-9209974

There you go

 

[JB Lions]

“If multiple Cloud brokers pitch the same domain to same buyer, the Cloud Broker whose link is most recently clicked will receive the commission.“

Reads like affiliate marketing, last click gets the sale. Affiliate marketing has grown lots of programs. If they monitor/enforce the program as they have outlined, good be a good thing, time will tell. It would be lots of hungry active people trying to sell your names.

I tried a traditional broker years ago with 2 top names, I don’t think they were very active in finding a buyer, all they did is put my name in their newsletter and spam. How do I know? I had an email account that was only used for Linkshare merchants at the time. One day checking my email, I was surprised to see this brokers newsletter with my names. Top broker everybody has heard of. Haven’t considered another broker since.

I generally would be fine giving somebody a cut for finding actual buyers. I don’t do outbound usually, tried it a few times in the past. Some people may love it and actually be good at it.

Affiliate marketing your domains, it’s worked for everybody else on the internet….. if done right. Amazon and eBay, 2 of the biggest, big, open affiliate programs