google - whois

[Sure]

I have read that google looks at hosting details when it comes across similar content or linked domains, but does anybody know, or think its likely that google or other SE's look at whois as well, when gathering domain info.

[mattsaw]

Yes, google is registered as a domain registrar, so has access to all WhoIs information. I would say it's probably safe to say that they're using this data when looking at link relationships between sites

[MASSEY]

Yes, google is registered as a domain registrar, so has access to all WhoIs information. I would say it's probably safe to say that they're using this data when looking at link relationships between sites

hmmmmmmmmmmm, i hope not,.

[Eagle]

Do you think they'd do it for every site or just ones they're suspicious of?

[MASSEY]

Do you think they'd do it for every site or just ones they're suspicious of?

I doubt there is anyone who can give a 100% correct question to that,

[KM-Tiger]

Yes, google is registered as a domain registrar, so has access to all WhoIs information.

whois information is in the public domain, anyone can access it, for example:

~$ whois ukbusinessforums.co.uk

Domain name:
ukbusinessforums.co.uk

Registrant:
UK Business Forums Ltd

Registrant type:
UK Limited Company, (Company number: 5417373)

Registrant's address:
UK Business Forums Limited,
19 Moulton Park Office Village
Scirocco Close
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN3 6AP
United Kingdom

Registrar:
Webfusion Ltd t/a 123-Reg.co.uk [Tag = 123-REG]
URL: http://www.123-reg.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 18-Feb-2003
Renewal date: 18-Feb-2011
Last updated: 06-Feb-2009

Registration status:
Registered until renewal date.

Name servers:
ns0-u.dns.pipex.net
ns0.sift.co.uk 194.131.210.129
ns1-u.dns.pipex.net

WHOIS lookup made at 19:43:04 13-Mar-2010

--
This WHOIS information is provided for free by Nominet UK the central registry
for .uk domain names. This information and the .uk WHOIS are:

Copyright Nominet UK 1996 - 2010.


There is no hosting information, just the nameservers, which might or might not belong to the webhost.

[Ali-v-8]

yes there is

P: 194.131.210.133
IP Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Website Status: active
Server Type: Apache/2.0.52 (CentOS)
Alexa Trend/Rank: 1 Month: 7,850 3 Month: 8,357
Page Views per Visit: 1 Month: 9.5 3 Month: 10.3


whois information is in the public domain, anyone can access it, for example:

~$ whois ukbusinessforums.co.uk

Domain name:
ukbusinessforums.co.uk

Registrant:
UK Business Forums Ltd

Registrant type:
UK Limited Company, (Company number: 5417373)

Registrant's address:
UK Business Forums Limited,
19 Moulton Park Office Village
Scirocco Close
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN3 6AP
United Kingdom

Registrar:
Webfusion Ltd t/a 123-Reg.co.uk [Tag = 123-REG]
URL: http://www.123-reg.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 18-Feb-2003
Renewal date: 18-Feb-2011
Last updated: 06-Feb-2009

Registration status:
Registered until renewal date.

Name servers:
ns0-u.dns.pipex.net
ns0.sift.co.uk 194.131.210.129
ns1-u.dns.pipex.net

WHOIS lookup made at 19:43:04 13-Mar-2010

--
This WHOIS information is provided for free by Nominet UK the central registry
for .uk domain names. This information and the .uk WHOIS are:

Copyright Nominet UK 1996 - 2010.


There is no hosting information, just the nameservers, which might or might not belong to the webhost.

[Ali-v-8]

There is an article somewhere (will hunt it out).

Google uses Who.is to determine link farms and multiple site owners.

IMO: its to stop people controlling or monopolising pages of google.

[mattsaw]

hmmmmmmmmmmm, i hope not,.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/01/google_domain_seller/

[MASSEY]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/01/google_domain_seller/

A very enlightening article,

[Sure]

Yes, google is registered as a domain registrar, so has access to all WhoIs information. I would say it's probably safe to say that they're using this data when looking at link relationships between sites

So i guess that if i wanted a number or keyword rich url's then it wouldn't be enough to use different c class ip's, i would have to consider how the domains are bought in the first place.

[mattsaw]

So i guess that if i wanted a number or keyword rich url's then it wouldn't be enough to use different c class ip's, i would have to consider how the domains are bought in the first place.

Exactly. Also bear in mind that providing incorrect details on the WhoIs can lead to you losing the domain if found out.