View Full Version : New Google Feature - WhoIs
For a long time now some folks have suggested that WhoIs data comes into play in Google's rankings.
Last week, Google launched a new feature that seems to support their theory:
http://209.85.207.104/search?hl=en&q=whois+searchenginewatch.com
Problem is, domaintools.com has in some cases started to deny access to their data.
sitetruth
04-24-2008, 04:52 PM
Last week, Google launched a new feature that seems to support their theory:
http://209.85.207.104/search?hl=en&q=whois+searchenginewatch.com
Problem is, domaintools.com has in some cases started to deny access to their data.
That's cute.
Google tried displaying WHOIS data a few years ago, but registrars complained. Google is a domain registrar, which gets them access to Whois data. But they don't have the right to redistribute it.
If you make too many WHOIS queries from a given IP address, most of the registrars will eventually block you.
Domaintools has a way around this. They are not a domain registrar. Domaintools gets their data by encouraging their users to install a background application which slowly makes WHOIS queries on behalf of Domaintools. (See "http://www.domaintools.com/project-whois/faq.html"). So they get the information without being a party to the registrar agreement or any registrar's EULA.
If you pay money to Domaintools, they'll hide the registrant history (not the current registrant) of a domain. $10 per domain name per day.
Kevin Heisler
04-28-2008, 01:35 PM
good thread - the first comment I read in the industry was "Google would never access WhoIs without permission ..." Are you still seeing Domain Tools blocking Google access?
Marcia
04-28-2008, 03:08 PM
There's more to it than meets the eye. I would seriously suggest checking this site out:
http://www.aboutus.org/
Are you still seeing Domain Tools blocking Google access?
Not since the middle of last week but verified with a few other folks not in the industry.
As Marcia has pointed out, there seem to be a few other issues worth considering as you dive deeper... ;)
sitetruth
05-02-2008, 01:00 PM
There's more to it than meets the eye. I would seriously suggest checking this site out:
http://www.aboutus.org/
It looks like yet another ad-laden directory site. What am I missing?
What am I missing?
I think I have a good idea about Marcia's post (outdated SEW information at aboutus...) but I'm not certain.
Either way, here is the latest issue and what I was working to understand in full at the time:
http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=22270