Tell HN: Never search for domains on Godaddy.com

Article summary

The author searched for the domain felons.io on Godaddy.com and found that it was registered by Godaddy.com, LLC just a day later. The author warns others not to use Godaddy to check domain availability. This incident suggests that Godaddy may be engaging in domain front running, where they register domains that users have searched for. The author's experience is not an isolated incident, as several commenters report similar experiences.

Main themes

• Domain front running
• Godaddy practices
• Domain registration
• WHOIS records
• Alternative domain search tools
• ICANN regulations

What commenters say

• Godaddy's practice of registering searched domains is a form of domain front running that can be exploited by scripting multiple searches.
• The cost of registering domains is low for Godaddy, so they can afford to register many domains without incurring significant expenses.
• Some commenters believe that Godaddy's algorithm selects searched domain names for registration, while others think it may be a manual process.
• Using alternative domain search tools or checking WHOIS records directly can help avoid domain front running.
• Godaddy's actions may not be entirely malicious, but rather a way to capitalize on potentially valuable domains.
• The practice of domain front running is not unique to Godaddy and can be prevented by using secure domain search methods.
• Some TLD registries have policies to prevent registrars from front-running their clients, but these policies may not be effective in all cases.