Strange Finger

Succatash · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject: Backordering a Domain Name?

Ok, a weird thing recently happened to me regarding domain names.

I backordered a domain name months ago using Godaddy's backorder service. The usual steps happened: The domain expired, then eventually it went to Redemption period, then Pending Delete...

Godaddy finally emails me saying that they are about to try to get that domain. The next day I get an email saying "Domain Capture Unsuccessful." Someone else got it. It was some nameserver called OregonDomains. So, I gave up with a sigh.

Then a week later, Godaddy emails me saying "Domain Capture Successful".

WTF? I was so happy, I got the domain name after all.

My best guess is that some domain auction company grabbed it automatically and when no one bid on it, they released it. But I have no idea, does anyone know how this could happen?
_________________
What happened to his beard? JESUS SHAVES

thatweirdgirl · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject:

Sure, it happens all the time. In general, an entity has 3 to 5 days to confirm that they do indeed what to own a domain. That means people sweep in and buy popular and commonly searched domains. They hold them for a few days to see if anyone bites and then drops them if no one does. This is so common that there is talk of ending the trial period.
_________________
When we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness--and call it love--true love.
--Robert Fulghum

Succatash · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject:

Huh. Interesting. But sneaky!
_________________
What happened to his beard? JESUS SHAVES

thatweirdgirl · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject:

I think it's called front running.

Companies say they do it for their customers. Their argument is that they register the name for themselves to save it for the person that searched for it. Right. It means you have to buy it from them.

The really sneaky thing is that if you search for a domain, someone will buy it. Yep. If you go back and search for a name three days later, it's gone. Two weeks later and it might be available again. Many folks recommend that you only search if you're ready to buy. JIC
_________________
When we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness--and call it love--true love.
--Robert Fulghum

Succatash · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

Ok, just a follow up to this domain story.

Since I already owned .net, but preferred the new .com domain, I set up permanent forwarding to .com using the .htaccess file. Everything I had read said permanent 301 forwarding is totally safe and appropriate with search engines.

But immediately, Google totally banned the website. Took it completely out.

.net was doing good in Google. #1 in the results for the primary keywords, in fact. But Google associated the .com with the domain spammers, the front runners and it marked the website as spam.

I had to go through the whole Google webmaster verification and submit a request to be unbanned. What a hassle. Now I'm back, but like number 6 in the results, not #1 any longer.

I learned an important lesson. Never trust a brand new domain name. Ever.
_________________
What happened to his beard? JESUS SHAVES