I don’t think it happened to most of you, and I hope it didn’t. In case you want to register a domain name in the near future, just remember this post.
There is a thing called domain tasting (from taste). Domain tasting is done by some domain name registrars. Basically this is what happens, you make a query for availability of a domain name, result shows that particular (nice) domain name is available. You say to yourself that you will register it after few days. You come back after few days and see that the domain name has already been registered. You type the domain name and see that it is full of ads, or it is for sale for a much higher price.
It’s possible that someone else had registered the domain name by coincidence, but here, we are not talking about those cases. We are talking about intentional registration of your domain name by other party.
Domain tasting refers to an activity by certain companies to register those domain names that people query. They register and keep it for a few days and see if there is any traffic or if there is any demand for it. If the traffic is too low or if there is no demand for the domain name, they just drop it. And all these is done for free, they do not incur any cost for it. Because there is a grace period of 5 days for domain name registrars from ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), if they cancel the domain name within the grace period they are not charged for it. This allows them to register any domain name and see if it brings more money than the cost (usually around $3-$6 per year for them). If it does, then they keep it and serve ads on them.
Bob Parson (goDaddy’s Founder) says regarding this:
Ever wonder why it seems more and more difficult for you to get the domain name you want? Quite often it’s because the domain name tasting and kiting industry is alive, well and running rampant. The practice of domain tasting and kiting continues to rage out-of-control. In February 2007, 55.1 million domain names were registered. Of those, 51.5 million were canceled and refunded just before the 5 day grace period expired and only 3.6 million domain names were actually kept. source
This shows how widespread and rampant is domain tasting.
So who is doing it?
From the below table can you say which domain name registrar might be involved in “domain tasting” activity? Highlighted companies can be good candidates (hint: look to the “loss” stats)
Above screenshot is from Ipwalk, it has a good article on how to track domain name tasters.
Tips to avoid domain tasters
- Make queries (search) for domain names on sites that do not engage in domain tasting. goDaddy, 1and1, NetworkSolutions are good choices.
- Avoid making searches for a desired domain name if you are not going to register it right away.
- Register your domain name immediately if it is available.
You might ask, why ICANN allows such a practice? Well according to Cercleid ICANN makes millions on the kept domain names that result after the domain name tasting. I know, I am amazed too.
I hope you have found this post useful and maybe little shocking.
Another tip: If you are unlucky enough to have the domain name you searched for taken by a taster do not visit the address during their 5 day grace period. If you do then it’ll make it seem as if the domain will get some traffic and the taster may be more likely to keep it.
The best thing to do is register the name straight away.
I’ve also found this site for doing searches: http://www.overtwhois.com/
Personally, I tend to register a domain name I find worthwhile as soon as I see that it available (I admit, that can turn into a shopping spree every once in a while).
Let’s face it, with the domain name market becoming more competitive with each passing day, it should act as no surprise that domain tasting is a common approach.
Alan Johnson
- Tauseef, you are right. That’s a very useful tip!
- Alan, I know what you mean. I had my share of shopping spree on domain names before ;)
thanks….it is definately usefull….
i used whois.sc which is now domaintools.com
wonder if it does domain name tasting as well…
It can be a very serious problem with lots of financial loses to domain business owners.
From registrars view, it may not be very big issue since it starts from $8. They can’t even take you call. How can they take your call if the price is $8?
So, I totally agree with Ades, you have to stick to one domain registrar which has proved itself and has good reputation.
I knew that it went on but I wasn’t sure how. his is a very enlightening post, I am glad all of my inquiries have been on godaddy’s site. The only reason I haven’t registered a few of the domain names that I have thought of is because I don’t really have the time to develop them.
James – you’re definitely safe with reputable domain name registration companies such as GoDaddy or NetworkSolutions
Ades – well, at least us domain addicts do get our hands on some more than decent ones every once in a while as a result of our shopping spree :)
Alan Johnson
I have faced this problem for my http://www.blackantstudio.com
I searched it trough namecheap, plan to buy it after few days but :(
Being registered by someone else and pretty shock the owner is someone which I don’t need to disclose it here.
I did finally register the .net TLD and today searching the .com TLD :) it’s available.
Hmm..I would not register it anyways..
xbrain: I think you should register .com version of your site. It is a great advantage over other tlds. IMHO!
I found out about this some time ago. It is certainly a dirty practice. Before I knew about ti I wondered if someone would do something like this.
Arstan, I agree: even if people are beginning to realize that there are a lot of TLDs out there, most of them still associate the Web with “dot com”
Alan Johnson
When I was searching for my first domain name it took me days and days of trying different names but everything I wanted was already taken and the frustrating part was 99% of the domains were squatters and had the sites parked or no content on them. It stinks that people who really want to buy a domain to use it have to go through this because of greedy people.
Network Solutions is practising domain tasting. See this thread on webhostingtalk.com – domain names section.
Beware of Network Solutions!
mbm
mmb, you are right, I have seen similar topics on other places too. Thus I have removed NetworkSolutions from the recommended list.
NetworkSolutions have been reinstated as the one of the recommended domain name registrar again.
When you make a search in NS site for a particular domain, it won’t be available on other domain name registrars for the next 4 days, it will be seen registered on other sites, but it will still be available on NS. I don’t think that is domain name tasting, it’s just a protection of domain names and business.
NS wants people to buy from them, if you want to buy it from other companies, you just have to wait for 4 days and then the domain name will be available again. Or you don’t have to search in NS site in the first place.
I think NS is taking advantage of 5 days grace period to secure more customers, since its prices are a lot more expensive than others. But I still see it as a legitimate business strategy.
It’s ICANN who must act on domain tasting!