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

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

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

Check availability at 000Domains.com - this doesn't happen there.


Paul

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.

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

ok maybe this is naive, but how does someone know what you've searched for??

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?

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.

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

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!

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