Warning: You are being watched and your GREAT Domain Name Will be grabbed. So ACT when you check.

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Hi All,

There has been discussion from time to time as to whether or not "someone" is monitoring domain names we check to grab our great ideas. Well I can tell you with almost certainty we ARE being watched.

I've read the regrets from other Warriors about them checking a great name, finding it available only to find it gone when they came back the next day to register it.

This happening one at a time we still might think it just a coincidence. Here is what happened to me.

I've had an idea for some time that would involve registering 500 related names.

I compiled a logical, in order list, in excel.

I checked the names at random to see if anyone else was registering this list of names. They were not.

I presented the idea to a friend of mine and he thought it was such a great idea that he agreed to register all 500 names if I'd JV with him, he wants to do this within a couple of weeks. That's GREAT for me because I needed the near 4k and if he provides the 4k I'll gladly set things up and split the profits with him.

Well on the 28th of Feb. I checked one of the names on the top of the list and it was registered. This did not concern me because one would expect some to be gone and besides I have alternatives for those that are not available.

So I check #2, it's gone. #3 gone #4, #5, #6 gone. Now I'm sweating bullets because I see a great opportunity slipping, I've got the funding for this JV and someone is registering the names, ARE THEY ALL Gone????

First I did a Whois Search and all of the names are being registered by the same guy and on the same day. Feb. 25 just a couple of days after I had checked the names for the first time.

Then I checked the list one by one. He left off at #60.

I immediately called my friend and showed him the whois info showing the same person was grabbing "our" names.

He gave me his CC info and told me to grab the next 50 names with a promise to come through for the rest very soon.

This true story should answer the questing once and for all. Are "they" watching us check our names? Yes they are.

Grab that name as soon as you check it and if you are not prepared to do so don't check it.

George Wright
#main internet marketing discussion forum #act #check #domain #grabbed #great #warning #watched
  • I would check again in a few days. It could be that someone else actually registered them or they could be "tasting".

    Domain tasting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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    • Thanks TC,

      I'll do that.

      George Wright

    • You learn something new around here every day......domain tasting!

      Still so much to learn........
  • Yes, yes -- don't search unless you have a CC in hand.

    Just from what I've read over the years on this forum about this topic, I've never searched for a domain unless I was ready to buy. I figured those watchers were lurking about.

    However, I encourage people to buy domain names as soon as they think of them. Case in point: Earlier this winter, I thought of an AWESOME domain name. I even starting mentally creating a logo.

    I never searched for the name. (Just thought about it.) At the time I thought about it, I was far away from a computer and thus unable to search for it and register it.

    Totally forgot about it for four days. Then I went to NameCheap to grab it -- too late. Someone had already registered it. And a quick check of the Whois revealed it was registered just two days prior.

    Dang.

    So, it makes me think I should wear a tinfoil hat so that others can't read my thoughts. That and register good domain names the moment I think of 'em.

    Cheers,
    Becky
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  • Check availability at 000Domains.com - this doesn't happen there.


    Paul
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    • When you do lose a domain, put a tickler in your day planner to check back in a year. Rarely do these types renew the domain they "stole" from you. I've "reclaimed" domains many times over the past 10 years. NEVER give up on a good domain name until there's a moneymaking site behind it! It's also possible to get them from the buyer for almost the original domain cost - this especially works if nobody ELSE is interested in the name. These people are rolling the dice a LOT, so reclaiming their original investment, if they can be convinced there is NO WAY you'll pay (much of) a premium can sometimes look attractive to them.
    • www.enom.com is also "clean", as best as I can tell, which is why most of my domains are kept at enom or 000domains.
    • I agree, Paul. 000domains.com is the only place I search for domains. Never had a problem. And by the way they are also a great place to register your domains. They aren't cheap like some of the other ones but they won't play games with you, threaten you if someone reports you for spam, hold your domain hostage or any other foolishness like some of the other "cheap" companies sometimes do.

      Ron
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  • This has happened to me also.

    But like LB said above I checked back a week later and it was available again.
  • Just type your name into Google. don't check it with
    a registrar. Just the straight URL. That won't tell you
    for sure if it's unregistered but I'm pretty sure somebody
    would have to really be spying on YOU to see what you
    are looking for on Google. Do it at the library if you are
    really paranoid.
  • Hey George,

    I found out the exact same thing the hard way. At first I had no idea that I was coming up with great domain names for someone else. As soon as I realized it wasn't happening at random I decided to search only when I was prepared to purchase immediately.

    I probably wouldn't have noticed this if I didn't regularly buy fairly large blocks of domain names.

    All The Best,


    Tony
  • I think moniker.com is safe (for checking) -- but maybe not.
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    • LOL @ Becky re: tinfoil hat!

      But it's so true, I never EVER search for domains unless I've got my CC in hand, and a list of possible names in order of preference. When I find one is available that will work, I snag it immediately.

      Wendy
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  • I use instantdomainsearch.com to check for domain availability.
  • I almost start sweating after I see that a domain name I want is available. I only relax once the transaction is officially completed, usually around 2 minutes later.
  • I heard that sites like GoDaddy.com checks through all
    of the domain name searches and if it's not bought early,
    someone else buys it and then when the original searcher
    comes back, he/she will have to buy it at a higher price.

    Sinister - but it's part of the game. People will want to
    pay for their names if they want it bad enough.

    I usually do checks at NameCheap or at 000Domains as
    Paul Myers suggested. I'm not sure if they do it at
    NameCheap but I'm pretty sure they do it at GoDaddy!

    Asher
    • [1] reply
    • GoDaddy has been doing this for years. That is why I use namecheap.
  • ok maybe this is naive, but how does someone know what you've searched for??
    • [2] replies
    • George:

      What service were you using to check if the names were available?
      • [1] reply
    • Hi,

      I don't Know.

      George Wright

  • Why is this still an issue?

    It's quite simple, really. Until someone registers a domain name, anyone can register it (assuming no trademark issues).

    So if that name you wanted was available, and you didn't register it, whose fault is that, and how can you really blame someone else for registering it? If you thought it was a great name, somebody else probably did, too.

    It really doesn't matter HOW the other person happened to register the domain- my point is you passed on the chance before they did.

    If domains cost $1000 to register, I could understand this, but as cheap as they are, why are people waiting days to go back and try to register?
    • [2] replies
    • If the other party that bought the domain did so randomly, I agree with your point.

      However, if they are using your research without your knowledge, which is likely the case, then I believe it's sneaky to the point of being illegal.

      In George's example, he needed to check the domains, then confer with a partner, before making the decision. If someone happens to sneak in there, tough luck. However, I believe he has a right to believe his queries weren't being shared with someone willing to buy the domains, based soley on George's actions, and if they are to be shared, the register should offer full disclosure and say so.
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    • Hi Chris,

      In my case it is going to cost almost $4,000. I only checked about 3 or four on my list and the logical order was deciphered by someone and they grabbed the first 60 out of 500.

      I'm really not considering it an "issue" just a warning to do what you said. Grab the name asap. And I'm reminding others to do the same.

      Thanks,

      George Wright
  • I first heard about this "domain name theft" a few years ago. Whenever I want a domain name I first write a list of all the names that I would settle for, with the one I want the most at the top, and my second, third, etc choices right below. Then I do a search, and as soon as I find one that's available (sometimes it's even the first one on my list!) then I register it.

    Incidently, how can a domain name be available again after just a week? I always thought the minimum registration period was a year.
    • [1] reply
    • It's called domain tasting. Domain names can be held for up to
      5 days and then turned in for a refund or I think the bigger
      companies don't have to pay anything during that time. Then
      they just keep the ones that have had some type in traffic
      during that time.

      Google took steps to oppose this practice and I thought the
      registries had agreed on something also but I guess it hasn't
      been acted on yet.

      That could be what happened to George's also so it would be
      worth checking again in a few days.

      That might be a great scam if anyone is bored, lonely and has
      absolutely nothing better to do. Search a bunch of weird long
      screwball names and then try and visit them from 1 to 3 times
      a day for the next while, and see if they all wind up taken long
      term.
      • [2] replies
  • I've always wondered whether or not there was some bot or something that would be checking the domains I entered in. I thought it would certainly be a way to make money but like you said, you better act if that is happening.
  • I've seen domain tasting first hand. Now before I use any registar I search for some stupid name like iamthebestandmostestidiotintheworld.com , then I see what happens. If it gets registered I know they are domain tasting and they are off my list. I won't use them.
  • I have had this happen before and it's very frustrating.

    I notice with Namecheap there is a running record record of all the names you've tested that appears on the right side of the screen. I always 'flush' that list before exiting the site.
    Still, it's a bit unnerving to think this is being monitored.
    _____
    Bruce
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    • Domain tasting is actually becoming a very annoying phenomena for ICANN.

      In a bizarre twist of fate, a lot of tasters got burned over the last 2 days with the Dynadot outage. I read of a few 'tasters' who couldn't get back in to delete their domains before the grace period ended and lost several thousand each because of it.
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  • What service are you using to check?
    I use PCNames.com.
  • I use this Yahoo! Domains: Secure Domain Name Registration every time.. It would offer suggestion if it found the domain you search is not available.
  • your problem was you checked at a scam company, someone who auto-allocates your domains when you "check" them...BIG, BIG scam...

    There are plenty of such services out there - therefore be careful when choosing a domain name company.

    I am glad i am with dynadot, very cool service.
  • Once I have used PCNames Domain Search to check availability, I go over to GoDaddy and make my purchase, and set the domain name servers to bluehost. No problems.
  • if anything, this has given me the last little push to register a couple of domains I've been staring at for a while...
  • I had this happened to me a few months back which piss me off to no end...
    I had to go back and change a few things in my project to reflect the new
    domain name...

    This has been happening for years now...

    --David
  • Both said they don't do that, though that won't stop some from not believing
    them anyway.
  • So I have written down some of the suggested companies that supposedly do not steal and sell data. but the last post was march of 2009. So can anyone recommend companies that you know for sure won't steal your domain names searches or sell your searches to 3rd parties,while you are trying out different keywords for your possible domain names? Some companies sell your search data to third parties. GoDaddy and Namecheap have been accused so many times that there is probably some truth there.

    Does anyone use a search or register company that does NOT engage in this practice? I would like to search for my proposed domains in private and not have to necessarily register them the second I search for them. All advice appreciated!

  • Thanks George for the heads up on this. It's quite timely warning. It baffles me what sort 'war' we have to put up online. What could be the CORE reason for this action?

    To sell them off and for how much? I know some guys do domain business, but am wondering for a crank new domain that isn't being hosted, is it ever possible to make money selling such?

    Just wondering...
  • If you want a safe WHOIS to check for Domains go to:

    Internic | Whois

    I never heard there was a problem over there.
    Meharis
  • I use Godaddy, registered well over 1000 domains with them. I've never had this happen and I have searched for a few hundred domains in one session and then end up coming back days later and they are all still available.

    I guess I'll just stick with them!

    It does suck big time that you could be spied on and then have your idea for a domain name taken by some one else! That should be illegal!
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    • hello , im new here ! , maybe you got some virus/spyware on your computer you should scan , but it's not likely , i mean who would hack somebody for a domain idea , maybe some peoples are as low ..

      about the domain research , what about just entering manually the domains in your web browser that way you can see if they're used or no ?
    • Rus,
      GD is definitely one of the biggest offenders for sure. It happened twice last year then last week they did to me again. I found a great .com keyword. Got timed out of GD. Because I went away from my computer for 1/2 hr. Went back in to try and finish registering it. It was GONE and registered on fabulous.com within the hour for $1999. Tasting maybe,maybe it will even come back, but that's not the point. It proves your info is not safe and you best register asap when you find your name, especially if you are on GD.

      Coincidence? Not a chance. ~S
  • George, I'm no conspiracy theorist, but have adopted the view
    that "probably" it's the service you're using for registering
    or researching domains that blocks these domains ('tasting')
    because someone (they may not know it's YOU) is interested in
    them, making those names valuable.

    'Tasting' doesn't involve paying, so there's literally no limit
    to how many domains can get locked up that way. It's painful
    when you've got your heart set on a name, are ready to roll,
    and held back because someone's got a hold on that name!

    If you use an 'app' or software tool to do your domain research,
    BE ASSURED that someone will have access to your data - and how
    they use it will depend on the person behind the service!

    Some tips I've followed for YEARS to avoid this:

    1. Use domain registration services like NameCheap.com which
    let you SEARCH for available domain names WITHOUT logging in.
    That way, during the research phase, you're anonymous.

    2. Once you find your ideal domain available, don't rush in.
    Make sure your domain registration account with the service
    has enough funds in it, or that you have all credit card
    details accessible for payment. Then, log in, register, pay
    for the domain, all within 2 or 3 minutes!

    3. Set up auto-renew for important domains in your portfolio.
    Make sure you have a currently active credit card (or other
    payment option) set up in that account.

    4. File your domain data in one place for easy access. Set
    up a system that reminds you whenever one is due for renewal.
    If your registration service offers it, sign up for notification
    about due dates. Usually, services like Namecheap.com will
    send you at least 3 (often more) emails as your domain nears
    expiry.

    By doing these 'simple' things, I've avoided the frustration
    of having my chosen domains snapped up by a registrar when I
    go back next day to order it, or losing one due to careless
    forgetfulness and not renewing on time.

    I lost DrMani.com some years back (due to another stupid mistake)
    and it cost me around 2 years worth of SEO and backlinking value.
    I finally got it back 5 years later.

    Like @Steven W Johnson says, "It's also possible to get them from
    the buyer for almost the original domain cost - this especially
    works if nobody ELSE is interested in the name." - or from an
    after-expiry auction like SnapNames.com The owner of DrMani.com
    wanted me to pay $2,500 for it. I got it on the auction site a
    couple of weeks later - and paid $70. Patience is a virtue

    The key, though, is not avoiding making mistakes, but learning
    from every one of them!

    Hope this helps :-)

    All success
    Dr.Mani

    P.S. - Oh, and 'domain tasting' isn't always done for extortion
    purposes. Sometimes, when a prospective buyer isn't sure of the
    potential of a particular domain name, they'll block it, throw
    some traffic at it (or see how much organic traffic it gets),
    and then make a call about whether or not it's worth buying.

    There's so much about domaining that's so fascinating, I've
    learned a lot over the years. Just studying the domain expiration
    process is so instructive. I bought a PR-7 expired domain for
    $30 by understanding this sequence, and it was interesting to
    know that, even if your domain expires, you get first shot at
    buying it back FOR 75 DAYS later!

    Here's one site you may find helpful:

    PremiumDrops.com - Domain Terms Explained
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