Is Verisign using Dark Forces?
A Verisign IP that visited one of our domain names which expires in a few months, turned up in an article delivering some interesting allegations.
The IP was included on a list of Verisign IP ranges, which according to the post perform the following task:
“This is Verisigns ips-agent bot. What this does is index your site for verisigns Internet Profile Service. This is something that they use to provide traffic data to prospective buyers of domains that are about to be expired.
Verisign is in a unique position of running the .com and .net domain name servers and knows when domains will expire. They are using this information to help sell expiring domains with traffic to bulk domain buyers at registrars such as dynadot.”
While we cannot confirm this statement, the claims are rather plausible; having raw data on tens of millions of domains allows a Registry to research potential leads for its partners.
For the article, click here.
The Internet Profile Service for Registrars uses proprietary algorithms to analyze domain name
and Web site attributes, including:
• If and how a domain name resolves, including whether the Web site is under
construction or parked
• Whether a Web site has multiple pages of content
• Whether a Web site has rich media content, including links to online video,
embedded content and other indicators
• Particular keywords within domain names that indicate opportunities for
targeted…
• Business classifications
Registrars can use the resulting reports to develop tailored marketing programs to reach
specific audiences.
KEY BENEFITS
• Better segment customers for marketing and customer retention programs
• Enhance current data analysis with easily integrated reports
• Quickly identify new domain name registrations and activity
• Identify new domain name industry trends and business opportunities
Sorry Louise, comments are trimmed at 500 characters. Where is that from?
testing
my comments have not been posting – did you block comments from me? Only, because I misspelled my email address, the comment posted. I continued the above comment in one with my correct email address spelling, and it disappeared. Usually, it would appear with a wait for moderation message.
• Business classifi cations
Registrars can use the resulting reports to develop tailored marketing programs to reach specific audiences
KEY BENEFITS
• Better segment customers for marketing and customer retention programs
• Enhance current data analysis with easily integrated reports
• Quickly identify new domain name registrations and activity
• Identify new domain name industry trends and business opportunities
By now, you must have noticed my tip from your Share a Domain Tip…
Thanks – Some ended up in spam.
Did you receive my tip?
Yes, thanks. Adding the link below:
https://web.archive.org/web/20101201160640/http://www.verisign.com/domain-name-services/domain-information-center/domain-name-resources/ipsforregistrars-datasheet.pdf
VeriSign, Sweet!
Use domain registration info to:
“Identify new domain name industry trends and business opportunities.”
Thanks, Louise. I wonder if this practice is ongoing, however. The archived page appears to be from 2010.
Hi DomainGang,
This is what happened. I discovered these promotionals back then, and enclosed them in correspondence to ICANN and the President and the NTIA. Plus, I linked to the graphic from that brochure on ICANNWatch.org:
http://www.icannwatch.org/article.pl?sid=09/10/22/1927236&mode=thread&threshold=-1
The specifics I listed are no longer accessible publicly. I sort of wish you didn’t post the link to archives, because it might disappear, in the meantime. Watch and see…
The former link redirects:
http://www.verisign.com/domain-name-services/current-registrars/internet-profile-service/index.html
to a current list of services, including Profile. But now, you have to email VeriSign and get pre-screened, before you can access the specifics. The info SHOULD cause dismay to the public! Front-running used to be fact. Renewing in bulk could cause glitches. Don’t forget about RegisterFly. Lots of good domains lost in that de-accreditation.