The disgusting GoDaddy Auctions API issue

[DomainVP]

I try not to post at all but something that needs a good long discussion is the issue with GoDaddy Auctions API.

If you are not familiar with this issue here are a few links the get you acclimated with the conversation that has been going on for YEARS about the GoDaddy auctions API.
https://www.namepros.com/threads/godaddy-auctions-api-removed.1022068/
https://www.namepros.com/threads/huge-domains-sniping-godaddy-closeouts.1135689/

Here is the short version:
About three years ago GoDaddy decided to stop allowing NEW people access to the auctions API.

If you already have access you keep that access, and can continue to use the API as you see fit.

Here is the problem:

If you have GoDaddy Auctions API access you can pretty much pick off the best closeout domains for yourself as you see fit. This is taken advantage of by Huge Domains, Name Planning Inc, and DNcloser.com (Alvin Brown).

So let's put the two issues together...

GoDaddy will NOT give anyone access to the auctions API, however those that have access can pick off the best names faster than any other process in the world.

Essentially however you check for availability once you see the domain is available you first have to go accept all of the terms, get to the cart, wait for the cart to load, and then confirm purchase.

Those with the API only have to execute API action and the domain is theirs.

Only allowing specific people access to something that is so powerful is disgusting at best, illegal at worse.

What am I advocating? - Either end the API or give access to all.

If you question the advantage just take a look at the DNcloser service, where you can pay to catch a closeout domain using their API access. Literally selling GoDaddy API access that we should all have.

Name Planning Inc has confirmed on this forum (since deleted) that they use the API, and have been able to catch domains with it. I've seen it first hand in the list of domains that I've not been able to catch - Name Planning comes up for most of them.

As for Huge Domains... I don't think we need to take a journey down how they use the API without impunity.

The GoDaddy response:

You will hear them say that the API gives no real advantage. I can tell you right away that this is not true at all.

It's not the whole solution to catching closeout domains, but it is the essential final piece that allows others a massive advantage over others.

For three years we've been told that they are working on an API and that it should be available soon, it hasn't. It won't be.

We've been told flat out that bots are permitted to participate on the GoDaddy platform, and that's fine. We all are great friends with the Huge Domains bot.

Hiring a coder to develop a GD bot will cost you less than $50 on freelancer (as recommended). However, how can you give some of those bots god-tier abilities while leaving the rest of the domaining community crippled at the point of purchase.

Either end the API or give access to all.

Thanks.

 

[equity78]

@Paul Nicks

 

[BuyBrandWeb.com]

@DomainVP this is very true. I have requested API access recently and they denied it.

@Paul Nicks remove the API access to everyone completely. Or give it to all.

 

[Samer]

@uzver made NP post April 3, 2020

“Requested API; got email reply; Feb 28 2017:

"Our development staff is in the middle of a complete rebuild of the auction interface. Unfortunately, as part of the rebuild, we are not able to accept new API customers at this time. We hope to have the rebuild completed by the end of the summer. Please check back time to time see if you’re eligible at that time."

Sep 14, 2017 “anything changed API access?"

"Thank you for contacting Support. Not as yet. let us know if we can be of further assistance."

@wwwweb showed unfair GD auctions; by most powerful registrar, so i appreciate thread. Keep getting away with; HD “deal”; API to few, while rest is get excuses

 

[bmugford]

Hmm...

Brad

 

[pb]

Kinda makes sense now that some people place the initial bet on every half-decent domain just for shits and giggles.

I mean, three years? I've been doing it for three months and some days I don't even care to go through the list, knowing I'll maybe manage to grab one or two domains. I can't even imagine...

 

[DomainVP]

Kinda makes sense now that some people place the initial bet on every half-decent domain just for shits and giggles.

I mean, three years? I've been doing it for three months and some days I don't even care to go through the list, knowing I'll maybe manage to grab one or two domains. I can't even imagine...

You bring up a great point.

Not being able to use the API increases the odds that someone would rather take the fight to auction and place a bid.

This means that allowing some people to have API access forces others to bid just to compete.

However once you place a bid expect the Huge Domains bot to sniff it out and start running up the price.

Either way, that's a win-win for godaddy. Feels like a lot of deception.

 

[DomainVP]

@uzver made NP post April 3, 2020

“Requested API; got email reply; Feb 28 2017:

"Our development staff is in the middle of a complete rebuild of the auction interface. Unfortunately, as part of the rebuild, we are not able to accept new API customers at this time. We hope to have the rebuild completed by the end of the summer. Please check back time to time see if you’re eligible at that time."

Sep 14, 2017 “anything changed API access?"

"Thank you for contacting Support. Not as yet. let us know if we can be of further assistance."

@wwwweb showed unfair GD auctions; by most powerful registrar, so i appreciate thread. Keep getting away with; HD “deal”; API to few, while rest is get excuses

It's difficult because it effects anyone who buys or bids on the platform.

It's hard to explain, but essentially any domain that goes into closeout an API buyer can it the second it becomes available. 3 to 5 seconds processing max.

Versus any non API user it will take an average of 7 - 10 seconds.

So those that sit there and click refresh and try to get a "BIN" button to appear on the page, there is ZERO chance to get a DN if an API sniper is interested.

For a platform to give out an express lane to some and not others on an auction platform... they have to be breaking some kind of legal precedent on this @jberryhill

 

[mr-x]

Godaddy makes everything worse.™

 

[Namesolve]

Is there anything good from GoDaddy! except $0.99 first year registration?

 

[DomainVP]

CrimeFinder.com gone within less than a second of availability. 100% an API snipe.

This was the API and I would not be shocked if it was 'acquired' by one of the aforementioned parties.

https://www.godaddy.com/domain-auctions/crimefinder-com-320744286

Just asking for a fair shot.

 

[DomainVP]

ShareFreedom.com gone within less than a second of availability. 100% an API snipe.

#NoChance

 

[STUART MALOFF]

These are very true concerns. I have had countless closeouts not even make it to my cart with immediate action on my part. The problem is if we bid there is a great chance that another customer will bid it up over a $100. If we try to catch them quickly, there is at least a small chance they will go undetected.

 

[DomainVP]

The problem is if we bid there is a great chance that another customer will bid it up over a $100. If we try to catch them quickly, there is at least a small chance they will go undetected.

Agreed.

If a name goes undetected by the bidders, then the API snipers will be watching.

The good thing I noticed is that the API snipers seem to only buy 1-2 domains using this method daily. I think they are trying to fly under the radar. Sometimes that's all of the closeout names that are actually worthy to focus on sniping in the day.

Also I see WhoIs privacy being implemented more, now that the cat is out of the bag and it's been brought to the public forum naming names.

If an API sniper wants a closeout name, the entire domaining community has no chance...

#NoChance

 

[BuyBrandWeb.com]

Just missed EventsTracker.com from the closeouts and I'm sure someone snipped with a bot.
Lost Connekta.com yesterday. NameTracking.com snipped by a bot, I guess
@Joe Styler @Paul Nicks There is something to fix here or disable all bots. Disabling all bots won't take much time, unlike development.

 

[wwwweb]

Just missed EventsTracker.com from the closeouts and I'm sure someone snipped with a bot.
Lost Connekta.com yesterday.
@Joe Styler @Paul Nicks There is something to fix here or disable all bots. Disabling all bots won't take much time, unlike development.

I agree all closeouts should have a human chance of getting chosen. Unfair advantages, otherwise charge API bidders $100 to snipe closeout.

 

[Joe Styler]

I just took over the auctions at the end of March. I will look into the API sometime this year. The demand for closeouts is continuing to skyrocket and many people are not happy with the current system. We have discussed removing the API for closeouts and I am also discussing raising the price on closeouts at the same time if we do that. But nothing is decided at this point. It will be looked at this year though for sure.

 

[BuyBrandWeb.com]

Why don’t you bid in $12 auction then?

Someone sets API configuration to notify if any last-minute bid placed any auction. Mostly ended up paying $100 USD+ or HD bot enter and grab it at the last minute.

 

[BuyBrandWeb.com]

I just took over the auctions at the end of March. I will look into the API sometime this year. The demand for closeouts is continuing to skyrocket and many people are not happy with the current system. We have discussed removing the API for closeouts and I am also discussing raising the price on closeouts at the same time if we do that. But nothing is decided at this point. It will be looked at this year though for sure.

Thanks, @Joe Styler for the quick response. I heard many changes were coming to Afternic but nothing changed in the last couple of years. I hope you priority this one at least.

 

[DomainVP]

We have discussed removing the API for closeouts

Very smart Joe.

I think that would solve the problem as a whole. Allow the API to participate in auctions but not a closeout domain.

That's fair because even without the API someone could build a bid-bot that does the same things as the auctions bidding API. It's a level playing field.

With the API being used in closeouts it gives people a back-door that eliminates all competition and gives them a freeway to beat out any bot or human competition without the API.

Currently: There is no bot or human way to beat out a user with API access.
Requested: Disable API for closeouts.

Is this something that can be implemented this month?

It could even be something as simple as blocking and existing metric like "inventoryType":"CLOSEOUT_DOMAINS" I think that would be pretty easy to implement. As a developer it would take less than an hour. Probably a while for approval though... but to fast track something like this would go a long way in good will.

I think the community would really appreciate it.

 

[7363824]

I just took over the auctions at the end of March. I will look into the API sometime this year. The demand for closeouts is continuing to skyrocket and many people are not happy with the current system. We have discussed removing the API for closeouts and I am also discussing raising the price on closeouts at the same time if we do that. But nothing is decided at this point. It will be looked at this year though for sure.

I for one really hope to see the API become available to all. I like to automate things and would love to use an API to participate in auctions.

As for closeouts perhaps it doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal, maybe make a wait period for API orders to prioritize manual orders.

 

[DomainVP]

Notice how Joe only discussed ending the API for closeouts and not the bigger picture of ending the API all together.

Ending the API for closeouts would solve the auctions closeout API sniping for sure.

As stated previously, I have no problem with use of the API anywhere else on the platform, as most functions of the API can be easily duplicated through programming (as you know).

Personally I think Joe taking over GoDaddy Auctions is a great. Look at the progress we are actually making here in this discussion. This is a three year old grievance many investors have with GDA. A week into Joe running the show and he has come up with an excellent solution that I hope can be implemented promptly.

It's a great way to start off a stronger relationship with the community of domain investors - and it costs them nothing. Smart.

Outside of this closeout API issue, In my experience the GoDaddy team has always been fair and helpful. Everyone is certainly entitled to the own opinion, and I appreciate you weighing in adding yours to this topic.

 

[Joe Styler]

I for one really hope to see the API become available to all. I like to automate things and would love to use an API to participate in auctions.

As for closeouts perhaps it doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal, maybe make a wait period for API orders to prioritize manual orders.

Eventually and not this year I would like to make the API available for anyone who wants it. In order to do this though we need to re-architect the back end of auctions to be able to easily scale up and down as needed by demand. That is a bigger undertaking that will not happen this year. But ultimately I would like to make it easier for people to use the auctions how they want to use it, search it easier, etc.

 

[BuyBrandWeb.com]

Eventually and not this year I would like to make the API available for anyone who wants it. In order to do this though we need to re-architect the back end of auctions to be able to easily scale up and down as needed by demand. That is a bigger undertaking that will not happen this year. But ultimately I would like to make it easier for people to use the auctions how they want to use it, search it easier, etc.

Agreed and I have 5 years of coding experience and did re-architecture for one of the Pfizer websites. It's a pain to do that and many things to cover and needs a lot of testing before it went to live.

But disabling API in closeouts won't take much time, unlike re-architect. @Joe Styler this is something you can prioritize and get it done in the next couple of days. Just my 2 cent thoughts.

 

[pb]

You could disable the api for closeouts due to being "in the middle of a complete system rebuild", you've already got the answer template, so it it will take even less time.