Finalizing search for Universal WHOIS brand name - WhoQ.com

[Rob Monster]

I previously announced a search for a brand name for a universal WHOIS.

In the meantime, we have some finalist names. I could use some help selecting a winner for a new global WHOIS search tool that will support both conventional domains and Blockchain domains.

In full disclosure, Epik.com is the buyer for this domain. The solution will address one of the great industry challenges of having WHOIS info hidden due to GDPR compliance making it hard to reach the registrant.

See example:

 

[NamesAgent]

How about WhosGlobal.com ?

Who's means "who is or who has", please refer link -

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whos-whose/

Thanks,
Sumeeth

Please quit spamming with this crappy domain. Maybe we should post the grammarly link along with the company logo so customers know it's a great name. Give it up already. It doesn't even rate consideration.

 

[Felipelayoun]

whoQ.com IS AWEOMSEEEE

 

[farouk20]

@Rob Monster , i prefer WhoZone ...maybe, just maybe WhoQ

 

[Mokum]

As someone standing on the domaining sideline for more than 5-6 years now, i think from just a "searcher" perspective the names are horrible, as someone said above.
If i try to find info on a business in my city, the first thing what comes to mind is to use the word "lookup". All this "who" and "is" was created in the early days, get something fresh. Yes lookupdotcom is probably out of budget range, but then play with the slang.

 

[Rob Monster]

Closing this one out.

We bought the domain WhoQ.com tonight, and will use that as our brand for universal GDPR-compliant WHOIS search for conventional domains and blockchain domains.

Thanks to the @Nem0 for a smooth transaction and a fast sale. Thanks to others for submitting their ideas and providing input on this important new project for connecting buyers and sellers.

 

[Grilled]

We bought the domain WhoQ.com tonight, and will use that as our brand for universal GDPR-compliant WHOIS search for conventional domains and blockchain domains.

Congratulations!

I use Whoxy a lot for historical WHOIS queries. The 'x' breaks away from other domains cached beginning with WHO. I also use DomainIQ, but since DomainTools is also cached in my URL bar, it takes 7 letters to break the chain. And, while DomainIQ has many more historical WHOIS queries, I still find myself using WHOXY more. I think partially because my brain sends a command to search for WHOIS, thus I instinctively start typing WHO. (A theory for this -- from at least 2015 to 2017 GoDaddy WHOIS service was located on WHO.Godaddy.com. Now it's GoDaddy.com/WHOIS. I wonder why the change?)

Rambles aside, I think it's a phenomenal name for WHOIS search queries. And now that yall have the perfect domain, the expectations for the product just went up.

 

[Rob Monster]

Thanks.

Also, great insight on the benefit of the shorter domain -- cached URLs for type-ahead would be unique for WHOQ after just 4 letters.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

May I ask what WhoQ aims to solve? I'm aware that in most cases that whois details are hidden due to GDRP in the whois, but can one opt in again if they want their details to be public?

Cheers!

 

[Rob Monster]

May I ask what WhoQ aims to solve? I'm aware that in most cases that whois details are hidden due to GDRP in the whois, but can one opt in again if they want their details to be public?

Cheers!

Great question.

The news yesterday that Uniregistry has moved to hiding all WHOIS by default due Cayman Islands Law does show that the world is heading towards a model of self-disclosure, i.e. you are private until you decide to be public. As more registries and registrars arbitrarily enforce some code of conduct, WHOIS is going to be Swiss cheese even more than it already is following GDPR.

As for what we intend to solve with WhoQ.com, there are a few themes:

First of all, I am pleased to share that Sufyan Alani, previously of 101 Domains, has joined Epik as the business manager for WhoQ.com. He will also be working closely with our registry and registrar partners and will join me and CTO (Nick Lim) in Kobe for ICANN 64.

Second, we will offer WHOIS as a service. For many registries and registrars, WHOIS is a compliance nuisance and represents a compliance risk. WhoQ.com can provide this service an indemnify the registry and registrar against compliance errors by taking over as WHOIS service provider. For resellers especially this is a very positive thing as most are not set up to manage compliance for WHOIS.

Third, for registries and registrars that don't want a managed WHOIS service, we still want to give every verified domain registrant the opportunity to claim their domain so that their contact details are visible. The verification step is based on host records. For any verified domain owner, they set policy on how they can be contacted, and also whether the domain is for sale or lease.

For registrants that want WHOIS privacy also on their public WHOS record, it will display as [email protected]. On WhoQ.com, the method of contact is a contact form, which means that the registrant's email address is always obscured from scraping. Anonymize.com will spam filter so this should cut down material on email scams.

We think this is a better option than the centralized ICANN WHOIS that some folks are advocating as we think centralization to an unelected central body would be an extremely bad idea vis-a-vis personal sovereignty, and the ability to own domains privately.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Rob Monster
Founder and CEO
Epik.com

[email protected]

 

[carob]

How do you pronounce WHOQ ?

Can't find an audio clip for that online yet. Maybe Rob needs to get in there first and provide the definitive "How to pronounce WHOQ" video.

 

[wwwweb]

Looks like your trying to build a company like domain tools with a corporate subscription base, there is no other way to make money. Crowded space especially with you, and domain tools bother operating out of Seattle.

I feel all the names mentioned above target more domainer types, not the type of end users you need to pay you recurring subscription fees.

 

[Rob Monster]

Like "Who Cue". The Q is the question of Whois, as in I have a Q as to who owns this domain.

We are open to input on what this tool should do. We are dear friends with Luc Lezon and could expose historical WHOIS records.

For unclaimed domains where there is no WHOIS, we could crowdsource the info on who owns a particular domain and then invite them to verify through "Help me find this owner" requests possibly with bounties.

So, get creative folks and let's make something cool.

 

[Rob Monster]

Looks like your trying to build a company like domain tools with a corporate subscription base, there is no other way to make money. Crowded space especially with you, and domain tools bother operating out of Seattle.

I feel all the names mentioned above target more domainer types, not the type of end users you need to pay you recurring subscription fees.

For now, I will respectively disagree there about whether there is an opportunity here.

DomainTools has punted on their status as a public service. This is about creating community around repairing the breaches being created by GDPR and ham-fisted policy enforcement from those who are destroying end-user domain sales by making it impossible to contact the domain owner.

For anyone who didn't notice, end-user retail domain sales dropped when GDPR was enforced. There is a clear correlation, especially for Donuts domains where all of their registries have obscured the WHOIS ownership info, and without workarounds. It is nuts.

As for how the site makes money, we'll be looking at sponsorship and facilitating transactions between buyer and seller. However, first and foremost, this is a case of Epik standing in the gap before ICANN does something really stupid with centralizing WHOIS in some policy wonk black hole.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

@Rob Monster Thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed answer to the question! I'm looking forward to a whois v2.

 

[wwwweb]

For now, I will respectively disagree there about whether there is an opportunity here.

DomainTools has punted on their status as a public service. This is about creating community around repairing the breaches being created by GDPR and ham-fisted policy enforcement from those who are destroying end-user domain sales by making it impossible to contact the domain owner.

For anyone who didn't notice, end-user retail domain sales dropped when GDPR was enforced. There is a clear correlation, especially for Donuts domains where all of their registries have obscured the WHOIS ownership info, and without workarounds. It is nuts.

As for how the site makes money, we'll be looking at sponsorship and facilitating transactions between buyer and seller. However, first and foremost, this is a case of Epik standing in the gap before ICANN does something really stupid with centralizing WHOIS in some policy wonk black hole.

Rob, domain sales are not down, they are just not reporting. Basically sedo is the only one reporting, and they mainly rely on parked landers, and the big one off one word sales. We all knows whose daddy is moving the domains, and they don’t report sales. Also a few other registries have the big names. Most domainers have landing pages with forms. Undeveloped, as well as listed on all the exchanges. If someone has a domain for sale, it’s not hard to find a way to buy it.

You think Mark Monitor, and SafeNames don’t know how to read name servers, or checking listings?

I think it’s a good way for you to get a commission on bringing in a customer if you can connect the link.

To be honest for years you harvested Whois data on near expiring domains and had Jessica spam them offering low ball amounts.

 

[Rob Monster]

Rob, domain sales are not down, they are just not reporting. Basically sedo is the only one reporting, and they mainly rely on parked landers, and the big one off one word sales. We all knows whose daddy is moving the domains, and they don’t report sales. Also a few other registries have the big names. Most domainers have landing pages with forms. Undeveloped, as well as listed on all the exchanges. If someone has a domain for sale, it’s not hard to find a way to buy it.

You think Mark Monitor, and SafeNames don’t know how to read name servers, or checking listings?

I think it’s a good way for you to get a commission on bringing in a customer if you can connect the link.

To be honest for years you harvested Whois data on near expiring domains and had Jessica spam them offering low ball amounts.

I have ample anecdotal evidence that end-user sales are down. I believe WHOIS friction is a key contributing factor. There is enough discretionary wealth so that's not the problem.

As for whois, connecting buyer and seller in real-time has been broken for years. I will free admit that. It is a classic inefficient market. So, you'll excuse me while I try to do something about it.

For those who want to co-create, I welcome input. For the naysayers, I suggest just stay out of the way while the innovators put their heads together and try to improve a broken process.

My main concern right now is stemming the tide against an ICANN-managed centralization project. As an active member of the ICANN Registrar Stakeholder Group, I have ample evidence that this is needed.

 

[wwwweb]

I have ample anecdotal evidence that end-user sales are down. I believe WHOIS friction is a key contributing factor. There is enough discretionary wealth so that's not the problem.

As for whois, connecting buyer and seller in real-time has been broken for years. I will free admit that. It is a classic inefficient market. So, you'll excuse me while I try to do something about it.

For those who want to co-create, I welcome input. For the naysayers, I suggest just stay out of the way while the innovators put their heads together and try to improve a broken process.

My main concern right now is stemming the tide against an ICANN-managed centralization project. As an active member of the ICANN Registrar Stakeholder Group, I have ample evidence that this is needed.

Proof end user sales are down? I am sure everyone here would love to see that data?

That is why we are seeing record aftermarket, and auction prices by the domainers who are selling to end users trying to replace sold inventory.

I am just making my comments, you are going to do what you are going to do, but please back it up with facts that make sense.

I heard the same thing with Digital Town whose stock is less than a penny now, with significant short interest which is interesting for a stock that trades at half a cent.

It makes little sense how someone can say domains that are for sale on landers, or on exchanges, end users have a hard time contacting these people? Maybe I am ignorant, but I just don’t get it.

Maybe you need domainers to opt in their Whois data to build your engine, I have no idea, but it has to be done on the backs of someone to gather all that data.

This is a numbers game, and yes you need an army to gain traction in every segment of this business, best of luck. This is a forum, and I am simply stating my side, two sides to every conversation.

 

[Rob Monster]

Proof end user sales are down? I am sure everyone here would love to see that data?

That is why we are seeing record aftermarket, and auction prices by the domainers who are selling to end users trying to replace sold inventory.

I am just making my comments, you are going to do what you are going to do, but please back it up with facts that make sense.

I heard the same thing with Digital Town whose stock is less than a penny now, with significant short interest which is interesting for a stock that trades at half a cent.

It makes little sense how someone can say domains that are for sale on landers, or on exchanges, end users have a hard time contacting these people? Maybe I am ignorant, but I just don’t get it.

Maybe you need domainers to opt in their Whois data to build your engine, I have no idea, but it has to be done on the backs on someone to gather all that data.

This is a numbers game, and yes you need an army to gain traction in every segment of this business, best of luck. This is a forum, and I am simply stating my side, two sides to every conversation.

In the meantime, I have not led DigitalTown since August 2018. There was a disagreement with the Board of a company that I minority owned and worked my ass for over 3 years. I would love to acquire it, but so far the Board has declined my offer. You can see in the public filings that they owe Epik and me a lot of money.

As for marketplaces, you proved my point. Sales are up via marketplaces because it is becoming impossible to directly contact the registrants and arrange private transactions. If you don't use marketplaces, or your parking landers don't have contact details, your only way of selling is via marketplaces. Genius huh?

Now ask yourself who benefits when domain sales are forced to go through a 20% commission marketplace. I can assure you that the registrants is losing out. People are parking with marketplaces like Sedo and gifting Sedo 20% for zero work. More genius, right? Not really.

Now ask yourself who benefits from centralizing WHOIS into a repository that is governed by some central policy agency who can determine who is allowed to register anonymously, and who decides whether that anonymity gets revoked. Yup, some more genius there.

Edited by moderator: name calling removed.

 

[wwwweb]

Actually, you are a troll, and indeed and an anonymous one with no transaction history and probably multiple personas on Namepros. I look forward to you being outed some day soon. All will be revealed, my friend. The God in heaven knows exactly who you are. I don't judge you but He surely will.

In the meantime, I have not led DigitalTown since August 2018. There was a disagreement with the Board of a company that I minority owned and worked my ass for over 3 years. I would love to acquire it, but so far the Board has declined my offer. You can see in the public filings that they owe Epik and me a lot of money.

As for marketplaces, you proved my point. Sales are up via marketplaces because it is becoming impossible to directly contact the registrants and arrange private transactions. If you don't use marketplaces, or your parking landers don't have contact details, your only way of selling is via marketplaces. Genius huh?

Now ask yourself who benefits when domain sales are forced to go through a 20% commission marketplace. I can assure you that the registrants is losing out. People are parking with marketplaces like Sedo and gifting Sedo 20% for zero work. More genius, right? Not really.

Now ask yourself who benefits from centralizing WHOIS into a repository that is governed by some central policy agency who can determine who is allowed to register anonymously, and who decides whether that anonymity gets revoked. Yup, some more genius there.

Domainers who are mainly sellers, use parking pages with contact forms, or landing pages. People who are actively not selling tend not to.

Rob, no hard feelings, and no reason to call names, this is just a conversation, and we have different sides of the argument. I apologize if I angered you in anyway. Life is to short. God bless.

 

[Rob Monster]

Domainers who are mainly sellers, use parking pages with contact forms, or landing pages. People who are actively not selling tend not to.

Rob, no hard feelings, and no reason to call names, this is just a conversation, and we have different sides of the argument. I apologize if I angered you in anyway. Life is to short. God bless.

You would be amazed how many "domain investors" have non-resolving domains with no working WHOIS. As an active buyer's agent, we know this first-hand.

Constructive input is always welcome even if the input is challenging the value proposition. Rhetorical devils advocate grandstanding, not so much.