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Google Sours on 'Domain Tasters'

Cuts ad revenue for registrants tying up millions of domains 5 days at a time

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2008 10:23 AM CST
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(Newser) – Google aims to stop entrepreneurs from "domain name tasting," the AP reports. The practice exploits a 5-day grace period during which registrants can return a domain for a full refund; meantime, the buyer puts up ads and evaluates whether the site would bring in enough revenue to keep it—the equivalent of intending to return a gown after wearing it once.

"Name tasting" ties up millions of domain names at a time. Google will dampen the profit incentive by excluding those which are repeatedly registered and dropped from its AdSense service. "If Google and Yahoo are not monetizing these types of sites, I think domain tasting as we know it will come to a screeching halt," an expert noted. "The alternative advertising is just not as effective."

Internet business partners Ari Goldberger, left, and Larry Fischer, demonstrate how they search and buy domain names on the Internet, an estimated $2 billion industry, in New York, Tuesday July 3 , 2007. Over the years, Goldberger and Fischer have sharpened their formula for acquiring domain names and developing the sites,...
Internet business partners Ari Goldberger, left, and Larry Fischer, demonstrate how they search and buy domain names on the Internet, an estimated $2 billion industry, in New York, Tuesday July 3 , 2007....   (Associated Press)
Google plans to make 'domain name testing' less lucrative for the people who exploit a loophole in registration rules to tie up millions of names.
Google plans to make 'domain name testing' less lucrative for the people who exploit a loophole in registration rules to tie up millions of names.   (Getty Images)
A Google neon sign is shown at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., in this June 18, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
A Google neon sign is shown at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., in this June 18, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)   (Associated Press)
The Google logo is seen on a podium and projected on a screen at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
The Google logo is seen on a podium and projected on a screen at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)
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