Thinking about registering a domain? Don't check if it's available!

[Ben]

NetworkSolutions, and other domain registrars are actively checking their whois search log and registering any good domains they find.

http://totalwebtalk.com/forum/domain-name-discussion/4297-coincidence-i-think-not-grrrrr.html
http://digg.com/links/Thinking_about_registering_a_domain_Don_t_check_if_it_s_available_

 

[EbookLover]

I don't buy it. No proof whatsoever. Just coincidence until proven 100% otherwise.

But to be "safer" use a 3rd party to search for your domains (like whois.sc) instead of using the regs search.

Oh, right, I forgot, then whois.sc will steal them from you.

Well, I guess this is a no-win situation, then.

(Admittedly, I did not read that whole thread as I got bored after the 1st page).

 

[AmD950]

Well actually I heard of this rumour before...
but as long as I whois a domain, I will register it (I whois because I want that domain)

SO I don't afraid of whoising or whatsoever

 

[floatingworld]

no problems in the past reported searching for a name on either godaddy or sedo.

 

[mahadeva]

Networksolutions - private registration

I think in this case the registrant is using the private registration option with Networksolutions. The domain is reqistered to a corporation and the address is care of NetworkSolutions.

 

[Kate]

Also if you are trying to register a recently dropped name, keep in mind that you are not alone scrubbing the lists. Thousands of people are doing just the same thing and registering as we speak !

 

[len fischer]

I have heard about that but I have never seen proof. I agree with sds many people are looking for the same name so chances are someone else may get it.

 

[-db-]

People have claimed this for years, and many of us probably suspected it at one point, but I've never seen a single case backed up with any proof. With so many disgruntled ex-employees (in other industries) anxious to share their former employer's dirty secrets, you would think our industry would have a few documented examples if this was really happening.

This particular case... the guy doesn't understand about proxy registration services. He's claiming Network Solutions registered the name themselves, but they didn't. Those threads demonstrate a snowball effect, gathering momentum as they go, with people jumping on the bandwagon. Suddenly, everybody who didn't get the domain they wanted is convinced of a registrar conspiracy, and quick to cry foul.

Sure, it's probably actually happened before, but until we see some proof, you will never convince me it's anything but an extremely rare and isolated incident.

 

[cache]

I think someone should run a whois service, and sell the hot list or sell membership for the most searched names.

 

[khuldun]

I did a whois for a few domains a few weeks back, then when i had the money to regster the domains, they were taken !! Dunno if these poeple check all the domains whihc have been queried

 

[tansks]

I did a query here then a few days later gone.
But anyway, when you can think a good name someone else will think it as well. Maybe we are not unique.

 

[Dave_Z]

Incidentally I tested netsol's website to search for an available domain name.
The next day, I got an email from them saying the name's still available to
register.

Goes to show some registrars do data mining, and it ain't surprising if others
are doing this as well. What they'll do with it is up to them, and they're within
their rights to do with it as they please since it's their data.

 

[gazzip]

To be on the safe side I use places that offer multiple ext's to check mine (and leave the setting to all extensions) - then go to a register I want to use to actually register it.

These are two I use the most to check for availability

www.eurodns.com
www.123-reg.co.uk

 

[flussie]

Well before I started buying domains I had a list of about 100 names which were available to register. When I checked back later (2 months or so), about half of them were registered (the better half). 4 of them to the same person. I had checked all the names on networksolutions and some on godaddy. Still no proof however, and no direct link found between this person and netsol or godaddy. But coincidence is out of the question

 

[gattoplano]

you may use the beta version of my scanner at http://www.castalia.info . It's real-time and it doesn't register anything ...

and yes, I will provide membership for addictional services.

 

[combs84]

It's amazing how the people in that thread refuse to believe it wasn't Network Solutions...and merely a priv reg. KInd of sad.

 

[flussie]

It's amazing how the people in that thread refuse to believe it wasn't Network Solutions...and merely a priv reg. KInd of sad.

I didn't say it was Network Solutions. It could as well be spyware on my computer or even my ISP or verisign (because I have typed in the domains in my browser). The chance that by coincidence the same user has regged 4 never-before registered domains (out of a list of 100) are very, very small. (ok but there is a chance)

Also, it is a known fact that verisign captured all traffic for non-existing domains during a certain time in the past. Not anymore though.

 

[lextalionis]

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/166425-i-got-scooped-ails-us-minutes.html

I had something like this happen. thos I think it was just random.