Welcome to the first of many “snippets” about the impending introduction by auDA (the Australian domain name regulator) of .au direct registrations in March 2022.
In simple terms, direct registration is the ability to register a domain name like yourname.au – instead of (or in addition to) yourname.com.au; yourname.net.au; yourname.org.au; yourname.asn.au; yourname.id.au etc. However, you can only do so if you are eligible and, if the domain is already registered in multiple extensions, have priority.
“Priority” means that existing registrants of eligible domain name extensions may have first rights depending on a number of criteria. So if those registrants apply, you won’t be in the running.
Cash Cow
Direct registrations were introduced in both the UK and NZ some years ago, and in general, they have been a flop ( I was going to write “disappointment”, but “flop” is more accurate).
We only have approximately 3.4 million domain names in Australia. Total!
According to Verisign, the .com and .net TLDs had a combined total of 170.6 million domain name registrations as at the end of the second quarter of 2021. Australia has a long way to go to catch up!
Many feel it is an unnecessary cost and impost on SME’s who will have to worry about brand protection.
Whilst I respect that there are some individual and corporate registrants who are looking forward to the introduction of direct registrations, I have always been mostly opposed.
Why? Because like may people and SME’s, I believe them to be no more than an income generating exercise for the supply side of our domain ecosystem e.g. auDA itself; then Afilias (the registry); then all of auDA’s registrars (where you keep your domains). I will demonstrate this in the next snippet.
That said, it looks like there is no changing direction now, so we have to make the best of it.
Coming Up Next
How the “supply side” of Australia’s domain name ecosystem is in for a financial bonanza – particularly the regulator auDA, and its Registry operator Afilias. Not to mention Registrars with good drop catching software! I’ll give you some interesting financial projections.
Tips and tricks – how domain investors and entrepreneurs can make lots of money from direct registrations. If you can’t beat ’em; join them!
Ned mate,
The whole .au thing won’t be a money spinner, but a money drainer. Too many investors have been conned with new extensions over the years so only a handful of newbie investors will fall for it. Best not to point them in that direction, because they will only lose money. Much better for them to be buying .com.au, which is what all the big brands use and what every business wants
Cheers,
Terry
Terry, you probably need to re-read my article. I agree with you in the main.
All I am saying that we have new market conditions about to be imposed, and there is a way to make some money out of it.
Ned
The bulk of direct .nz and direct .UK which had been registered when parked for monetisation revenue or for sale have not made any money or had any interest. There are few if any reported sales even of seemingly great 1 word generic names. A total flop for anyone thinking they will make quick money or any money out of them.
The best example is look at GOOGLE. They have unlimited money. The best lawyers and IP experts money can buy and they did not and do not even use the direct .UK or direct .NZ
Google.co.uk LIVE
Google.uk DEAD
Google.co.nz LIVE
Google.nz DEAD
Google would know the best for SEO, keywords, traffic, branding etc etc., Anyone who claims they know better is lying or delusional.
Buyer beware.
It’s certainly going to be interesting, as Ed and I recently spoke about on the Domainer Show too – https://domainer.com.au/domainer-show-episode-35-direct-au-shitshow/ – looking forward to the tips and tricks.
How many conflicted names are there?
How many have auDA, Afilias and Registrars verified qualify to be in the conflicted names process?
How did they verify all of the names and registrants are valid and meet auDA policy?
Why is auDA, Afilias, Registrars charging a new conflicted names process fee when no country, registry, registrar or admin body (Nominet .uk, DNC .nz, MYNIC .my, SGNIC .sg etc) has in the world before. Ever.
What are consumers actually getting when they pay this new auDA, Afilias, Registrar conflicted names fee?
What happens when they charge the fee to parties in the conflicted names process and allow non eligible registrants and non eligible names?
It seems that at least 29,357 conflicted names should not actually be registered nor should they be in the conflicted names process due to ineligible Reg strant policy breach.
This affects valid registrants who are up against them significantly. The verified participants may and will pay ongoing auDA, Afilias, Registrar conflicted name fees unfairly and it would seem illegally if it it still charged to them.