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.

 

[Joe Styler]

Will you reach a decision before the end of this century?

As you know, our lifespan is limited, we cannot wait for an API forever.

We opened it up for everyone over a year ago for Closeouts. It was one of the biggest complaints people had and we did a lot of work to be able to enable it to anyone. Once it was released we have had something like 6 people use it, with only 1 domain purchase. That is after being live for a long time. I am no longer in charge of auctions so I don't have the most up to date numbers. But the point being it was such a huge complaint from customers and then no one used it once we opened it up. So we do have 90% of the work done to enable it for all bidding types to every customer but it has not been prioritized over other work because no one used it when we released the closeout api to anyone. At some point it will be released for all bid types to anyone but in the meantime if you are buying more than you can easily do with the web interface you can ask your premier rep to help you get auctions api full access. If you want just closeout access it is already available.

https://domainnamewire.com/2022/07/13/godaddy-improves-expired-domain-pullbacks-expands-api-access/

 

[pb]

Interesting. It's almost as if people wanted to use API to have equal chances of snatching domains after the auction but not for $50.

 

[Joe Styler]

Interesting. It's almost as if people wanted to use API to have equal chances of snatching domains after the auction but not for $50.

Then set the api to buy it at $11 or $5