safe domain search

July 29, 2006 6:48 AM

Where is it safe to search for domain names? I've heard that many search sites collect recent searches and register them. I don't want to give away my precious. Is whois safe, or are searches made public?
posted by pekar wood to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

I've always used NetSol. None of the unregistered URLs that I've grepped have since become registered, and the few that I've allowed to lapse haven't been picked up. Maybe some companies do what you're describing, but you're being paranoid. Expecting registrars to horde your awesome domain name is like thinking the bank wants to foreclose on your house: If they wanted to be in the real estate industry, they'd be in the real estate industry. They don't want your house; they want your money.

I don't want to give away my precious.

Then perhaps you should register it.
posted by cribcage at 7:19 AM on July 29, 2006

Previous thread.

After reading that thread, i had the same concern. I had searched on my potential site names not more that a day before that thread was posted. I waited 5 days without checking again and then went ahead and purchased the 8 (derivative of each other) names I wanted.

I would say that if your site name is a little unusual then do not worry about it. Likely someone might register but will drop within the 5 day "tasting" period.

I tested the theory with the name wiffleballfan.com. I searched it three times on different sites. It was not registered then nor did anyone grab it that day or in the two days after I searched.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:19 AM on July 29, 2006

I thinks it's somewhat safe to search when you are ready to buy right away. Don't dawdle. If your precious is snatched by another, wait a few days, they may have reserved it, but not paid for it, and it will be released again.
posted by theora55 at 7:30 AM on July 29, 2006

I use www.allwhois.com, it's still reassuringly lo-tech and nothing I've searched for and found (over perhaps 4 years) has been snapped up.
If only I had the business balls to actually do something with a domain...
posted by NinjaTadpole at 7:31 AM on July 29, 2006

I always use the command-line 'whois' program. I assume this just checks directly with the relevant servers, rather than going through any third party, so in principle it's as safe as you can get. I could be completely wrong, however.
posted by chrismear at 9:24 AM on July 29, 2006

I was recently looking for a domain and people suggested this site. I searched for days and none of the domains have been taken yet.
posted by Derek at 11:44 AM on July 29, 2006 [1 favorite]

I run the site linked above by Derek. (This thread showed up in our referrers.) We're not in the business of stealing our users' names. So a question for the community: What can we (domain search tools) do to win your trust?
posted by hartshorne at 3:27 PM on July 29, 2006

hartshorne - What might help is some kind of statement to the effect that:

- domain search information is not shared;

- domain search information is not stored;

- employees and owners have signed a pledge stating that they will not use domain search information;

- whatever entity you get WHOIS information from also does not share, store, or use domain search information;

Something in the public record, so that a potential searcher knows that if someone connected to your company takes advantage of domain search information, they'd have legal recourse to get the domain. However you can accomplish this, it would help engender trust.
posted by amtho at 7:07 PM on July 29, 2006

DON'T use network solutions... I swear I used to search using their engine and one or two days later I'd find something registered. I started using register4less.com a year or two ago but I searched for some completely random domain I wanted and I registered it with a paypal echeck and before the echeck went through the next day, someone else had registered it, I'm not sure whether to blame the company or if it's just the hive mind and we're all thinking alike on some level. Occams razor would probably claim the former.
posted by thegmann at 2:24 PM on August 2, 2006