Poll: Will you participate in the Afternic Boost program?

[Future Sensors]

Afternic was thrilled to announce their new Afternic Boost program.

Afternic Sellers have been automatically opted-in to the program, but you can choose to opt-out if you prefer.

In this Poll, Afternic Sellers can indicate whether they will remain opted in, or if they have opted out of the program.

Members’ choices in this poll will be visible to everyone.

 

[Dane]

So what does Boost help with?

Great question.

 

[DN_Hunter]

It's more clear to me now that Afternic went too far by making OPT-IN the default -- even though they probably know that it might not help certain types of portfolios.

They should actually make it part of the Boost writeup/explanation on what types of names/portfolios would benefit.

 

[NameGroove]

It's more clear to me now that Afternic went too far by making OPT-IN the default -- even though they probably know that it might not help certain types of portfolios.

They should actually make it part of the Boost writeup/explanation on what types of names/portfolios would benefit.

They don't care. They get 5% on everything - so explaining to customers who won't be assisted is not in their best interest. They stated the benefits in a way that are in the best interest to them. Which is to say that Boost provides up to 10% STR in our tests. So we've opt-ed everyone in. Of course, opt out if you don't want a lift of up to 10%. A little scary sounding. So people stay opted in without thinking. Then they see a sale and think aha! Must've been Boost. But the name likely sold without the "boost". The odds of it selling because it showed in one of the 3-5 boosted positions vs the millions of names that didn't are low.

All that said, if/when their Ai gets to the point that it appropriately shows truly similar names in those 3-5 positions I'd opt back in. Someone types TechName.com and Techkeyword.com shows up 3-5x in different variants, that starts to excite me. But currently best I can find is TechRTG.com or something idiotic.

 

[Future Sensors]

They should actually make it part of the Boost writeup/explanation on what types of names/portfolios would benefit.

Yes. GoDaddy should provide clear and specific insights on how their Boost service will enhance sales performance, rather than continuing to make vague statements. However, I doubt GoDaddy itself fully understands all the factors involved here.

It’s crucial for Afternic Sellers to know which exact domain extensions are displayed on GoDaddy’s various international portals, including the prioritization in the total list of all sponsored TLDs offered to SMB visitors. For example, the .co.uk extension is likely prioritized on the GoDaddy UK site.

Ultimately, the goal is to highlight the best domain options for small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers visiting the GoDaddy website. Offering them the most suitable options is crucial for their business success.

Unfortunately, it appears that GoDaddy is prioritizing nonsensical TLDs like ‘.sucks’ and ‘.foo’ for SMBs to drive profits and stock price.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/evaluating-godaddys-tld-offerings-for-smbs.1334107/

Furthermore, it’s important to have information on how Afternic domains appear in GoDaddy's search results based on the way users type in their search terms: with or without the TLD, with or without spaces between individual terms, using the "AI" search functionality, etc.

Sure, the complexity of all variables and combinations can be overwhelming. For Afternic sellers, having access to more verifiable insights from GoDaddy is crucial for making well-informed decisions. Currently, this isn’t possible. This in turn has led to extensive discussion threads about our interpretation of GoDaddy's real intentions with Boost, the intentions with other GoDaddy products, and the direction the company is going under pressure from activist shareholders.

Meanwhile, GoDaddy has shown little willingness to provide the necessary fact-based insights to Afternic Sellers. Instead, they often resort to even more marketing jargon, leaving Sellers frustrated and at a disadvantage when serious questions about Boost are raised.

 

[markfromslo]

I have all nearly all my names set to Afternic BIN landers, with Fast Transfer enabled wherever possible. The Afternic network has been very good to me over the many years I've been with them. However, I'm wondering now, if the various Afternic Partner Network registrars are in the future rarely going to show my domain names on reg path, what is the purpose of paying a commission on sales lander purchases? I could instead just set all my names to resolve to my own landing pages and take 100%.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem paying 15% to anyone bringing me a sale. Hell, I don't have a problem paying 20% if it was not to simply somewhat restore what Afternic/Godaddy took away. I'll pay whomever all day long 15-20% if they bring a sale. But will Afternic still bring me sales beyond a buyer landing on my sales lander? I have to wonder.

 

[ran_doank]

Optin here. So I randomly selected 2 Fast Transfer (FT) domains and 2 non-eligible FT domains (waiting 60 days). All in the .com, with BIN, and consisted of "keyword + keyword."

For the FT domains, searching exact domain name without ".com" resulted in both names appearing at the top of the big box with premium and verified badges.

But the other 2 (non FT eligible) - both case GD promoting available to reg .co on those big box.
And my 2 com names? positioned at rows >16. below io,one,service,us,digital,club,online,vip and our fav: .sucks

 

[jiy k]

The Verified Domain badge says that Verified Premium Domains use Godaddy's Fast Transfer system for Fast Delivery - Non-Verified Domains can take 7-10 days, Verified Domains average less than an hour.

Do they mean, Non-Verified but FT enabled domains can take 7-10 days to be delivered to the buyer, while Verified Domains will be delivered on an average in less than an hour to the buyer.

 

[Jannes]

The Verified Domain badge says that Verified Premium Domains use Godaddy's Fast Transfer system for Fast Delivery - Non-Verified Domains can take 7-10 days, Verified Domains average less than an hour.

Do they mean, Non-Verified but FT enabled domains can take 7-10 days to be delivered to the buyer, while Verified Domains will be delivered on an average in less than an hour to the buyer.

My brain is melting.

 

[Future Sensors]

My brain is melting.

Would you like a boost?

 

[bmugford]

The Verified Domain badge says that Verified Premium Domains use Godaddy's Fast Transfer system for Fast Delivery - Non-Verified Domains can take 7-10 days, Verified Domains average less than an hour.

Do they mean, Non-Verified but FT enabled domains can take 7-10 days to be delivered to the buyer, while Verified Domains will be delivered on an average in less than an hour to the buyer.

I just bought a non-verified "premium" domain this morning and it was delivered in a few hours.

All @GoDaddy is doing is adding a bunch of confusion with this stuff.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

I just bought a non-verified "premium" domain this morning and it was delivered in a few hours.

OMG. Did you take the risk now that the domain wasn’t verified?

 

[markfromslo]

I just bought a non-verified "premium" domain this morning and it was delivered in a few hours.

All @GoDaddy is doing is adding a bunch of confusion with this stuff.

Brad

How did you know it was actually a domain name if it was not "verified?" It could have just been a string of letters you bought. LOL.

 

[bmugford]

How did you know it was actually a domain name if it was not "verified?" It could have just been a string of letters you bought. LOL.

That's true. It was not verified as a domain, so who knows what I could have been buying.

I guess I just got lucky.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

But Your Honor, GoDaddy assured me that the domain was fully verified!

 

[bmugford]

But Your Honor, GoDaddy assured me that the domain was fully verified!

The funny thing is it's just some badge GoDaddy made up, that only means something within their system.

It's like when a company makes up a term, only to then claim their competitors don't offer it.

Sega Genesis offers "blast processing". Does Super Nintendo?
No. Well, it's just some made up marketing gimmick like "verified" is.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

But Your Honor, GoDaddy assured me that the domain was fully verified!

Plus, paying for a "verified" badge is just cool.

Nothing says authority like running across someone on Twitter with 17 followers and a "verified" badge that they paid for.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

I can't wait until we get a surge boosting plan, backed by AI technology.

The commissions would fluctuate based on a number of factors. (Obviously only ever going up, never down.)

Brad

 

[markfromslo]

We don't need no stinking badges!

 

[Acroplex]

I have all nearly all my names set to Afternic BIN landers, with Fast Transfer enabled wherever possible. The Afternic network has been very good to me over the many years I've been with them. However, I'm wondering now, if the various Afternic Partner Network registrars are in the future rarely going to show my domain names on reg path, what is the purpose of paying a commission on sales lander purchases? I could instead just set all my names to resolve to my own landing pages and take 100%.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem paying 15% to anyone bringing me a sale. Hell, I don't have a problem paying 20% if it was not to simply somewhat restore what Afternic/Godaddy took away. I'll pay whomever all day long 15-20% if they bring a sale. But will Afternic still bring me sales beyond a buyer landing on my sales lander? I have to wonder.

It's the placebo effect. GD wants you to believe you're getting extra benefits for an (untested) service. But it's all make believe, as even GD uses a disclaimer about its performance!

I have no idea what type of inner meeting would produce such a disturbing idea about slicing up Afternic.com in the first place, moving everything under GD search, ditching Dan and its technology, and carrying on with an ever-beta platform. Perhaps they smoked too much weed? Either way, the new approach arrives with no guarantee and you might as well play lotto with that 5%.

 

[Future Sensors]

It's the placebo effect. GD wants you to believe you're getting extra benefits for an (untested) service. But it's all make believe, as even GD uses a disclaimer about its performance!

I mean, even LEGENDARY Michael Cyger is opting out of Boost, as well as some legendary Afternic Sellers that were recently featured on the Afternic blog, just a few months ago.

 

[DN_Hunter]

Do they mean, Non-Verified but FT enabled domains can take 7-10 days to be delivered to the buyer, while Verified Domains will be delivered on an average in less than an hour to the buyer.

I’m Opt-out and sold a domain that was FT this morning and it was delivered in a few hours.

@bmugford was that you who bought it?

 

[bmugford]

I’m Opt-out and sold a domain that was FT this morning and it was delivered in a few hours.

@bmugford was that you who bought it?

Was it $399 and starts with a "B"?

Brad

 

[DN_Hunter]

Was it $399 and starts with a "B"?

Brad

It started with a B, but it was $1,888

That would have been a coincidence Lol

 

[NicTraders]

Would you like a boost?

I was going to ask for a boost, but then GD would want an extra 5% commission. lol

 

[NicTraders]

GD wants you to believe you're getting extra benefits for an (untested) service. But it's all make believe, as even GD uses a disclaimer about its performance!

They claim they tested it. But no-one knows how. The whole thing is a joke. Like the Verified badge that makes it sound like you'll get the domain 7-10 days faster, when in fact you should get any FT domain in the same timeframe whether Verified or not. I suspect GD internally refers to Verified as "Verified gullible domain seller who will give us an extra 5% for no reason".