status-monitor I am amazed by Top domains here

[HotKey]

In a bad way. Bunch of gobbledygook if you ask me.

Should I point out examples, and am I alone in this? I mean come on, a top domain really should be a top domain, not the wishy-washy stuff being put in there. It seems almost we're at the point of desperation. Who's judging this stuff anyways?

We really should be setting better examples because folks use this as baseline criteria. It's important as this is a professional forum and if crap is top than everything is top. Get my point?

Do better. Nonsensical names have no place in Top domains. Even some two-worders shouldn't be there. Reason being is there is waaay better alternatives now. A top domain should be very strict, limited to the best of the best. Set a standard that must be met else we all smoking pipe dreams.

Sry for bluntness, just wanted to have it said.

 

[slader23]

It's subjective to whoever is reviewing your submission to the top domain section. However, in general the majority of the names you see there will have met the minimum requirement of being worth at least $1k wholesale, many of which are far above that. The subjectivity is the point of resistance that many can't seem to deal with but it comes with the territory. I see many names that may not necessarily fit my own criteria of what is valuable, however, there are always going to be contrasting arguments and data points that prove otherwise...that's the NAME of the game.


On another note, there are tens of thousands of active members on NP many of whom will be trying submit names in that section so I don't think it's logistically possible to give every single rejection a response with specific reasoning.

 

[Samer]

Folks, Np’d reject top name, do not say why, then proceed to accept inferior names!

Their “top” domain system is the worst imo

Write us why reject “top” admissions, you dont. you instead decline, and dont tell us why lol. The worst, subjective, least fair system in NP.

Still havent submitted “top” for this reason.
Absolutely no respect, not very professional,

 

[NickB]

they're called TLDs... top level domains.

He's referring to domains in the below section.....

https://www.namepros.com/marketplace/buy-domains?prefix_id=326

 

[Kingslayer]

Interesting - the underlined bits contradict the below top domain rule.......

iii. "NamePros selects the best domains submitted with consideration given to fair coverage of members and extensions"

Part 3 - https://www.namepros.com/threads/marketplace-faq.848731/#section-030000

That is my point, its clearly not happening, 'some' people clearly have free access to the 'top domain' section no matter what they submit (its there for all to see).

There needs to be consistency or just revamp the whole section, delete every domain in there, start over and let the section live up to it's name (top domains).

 

[MasterOfMyDomains]

https://www.namepros.com/threads/megalodons-com-biggest-sharks-ever-in-the-world.1022395/

Top number of bumps in top section.
This domain been bumped for 4 years
Worth $50 imo
Not saying anything else, as were not allowed to criticize np but few areas need attention. Get johnN wife in here to clean house

 

[Paul]

and yet...you are aware that this "debate" comes up regularly

Yes, since it would be my job to oversee the implementation of any new technical features or automation.

The question that comes up regularly: Is there a way we could design Top Domains from scratch such that it’s truly objective? Not without creating what effectively amounts to an appraisal bot of sorts. I’m sure you can understand my hesitation to implement such a feature.

hope you still are.

Of course.

so that may mean it's introduction, was going to be problematic from beginning.

The introduction of Top Domains? At the moment, it’s essentially a showcase.

The best long-term solution I see is allowing the community to choose top domains, rather than staff. The logistics of that—in particular, ensuring that it isn’t gamed—would take some time to work out. I don’t know the rest of the NamePros team’s view on that approach, but it would be my personal suggestion. A lot of care would need to go into the design.

It seems like 'some' people use the 'top domain' section for attention as most domains have been deleted and relisted countless of times.

That’s probably something we could solve programmatically. Such a feature would need to utilize an update we’re still working on, though.

It goes back to what i was saying before about 'favorites' and seems the approval team on NamePros do have their favorite people and if you in with the NP mod team, no matter what you submit gets approved.

I took a quick look at some of the threads there to see who’s gotten approved; based on what I saw, I really doubt that claim is true. We could try hiding usernames and avatars prior to approval in that section just remove any subconscious bias, but we’d need to carefully consider what side effects that might have.

Another problem is quality, some 4 letter .com's get bumped every single day

I wonder if sorting threads by creation date rather than last reply date would be a reasonable compromise. I know we’ve experimented with that in the past, but I’m not sure where we currently stand on that approach. I can ask.

 

[Kingslayer]

The quality has gone down a lot in the ‘top domain’ section.

What I’ve noticed is the same names usernames always get approved, similar to how Flippa works and how the same usernames always get ‘editor’s choice’ even when they submit average.

I’ve applied for a domain a few times that is probably the best VR+keyword on the market, 21 years old, taken in 40+ extensions and tipped to generate billions in revenues in the next 5 years, it gets refused, that is fine i have no problems with that, but if the same domain was submitted by ‘one of the favourites’ (no names mentioned) i know for a fact it would get approved.

Reason I know this, because 1 or 2 of these people have multiple 4L .com’s approved on there that don’t really mean anything.

I would like to see the guidelines and the reasons why domains get approved or rejected in the ‘top domains’ section, if there are set guidelines in place, these guidelines are not followed to a tee because there doesn’t seem to be any consistency.

In my opinion the whole section should be revamped, the 'top domain' section should be for single word .com’s and industry defining 2 word .com's, a section that lives up to its name be only for the 'top domains'.

 

[HotKey]

Yesterday the seller of President bumped his name. I was like, exactly! This is a top domain, no question.

Today, I see sewp. Or suwp or something.

The fact that these are placed in the same category is a travesty.

 

[jhm]

Thanks @jhm

Look, I think the discussion is legitimate and that possible improvements can be made on defining a top domain (perhaps increasing the wholesale threshold and let the domainers decide? idk)

What I don't think is legitimate is calling in a public thread a specific domain and as a domainer you can understand that every second my domain remains in this thread it damages my domaining activity.

I'm here to have a good time and relax with all, and don't really enjoy wasting my time during the weekend.

I hope that all these messages related to my domain will get cancelled as soon as possible and that OP will apologize to me privately.

Having said that, let's get back to business!

@HotKey if you don't like that specific domain don't worry... I have other domains for sale

 

[Alop]

Is it disclosed anywhere who is actually approving these "Top Domains"?

Not yet

 

[maksimfa]

i was browsing namepros and at some point clicking on one of the visited threads i see mentioned my domain without permission saying it doesn't have a certain quality.

If this is allowed it is absurd. We are in the far west

I get it... all gangsta until it is the quality of YOUR domain that is questioned.

Oh stop it.... having people DISCUSS your domain only increases the potential interest in it, it does not devalue it. Whining about it however does devalue what someone would pay in order to work with you.

A good solid domain's price is not tarnished. Your domain is only worth what someone is willing to pay. To me, it is like any other liquid 4 L. It is not a One Word .com or anything special.

What has the most impact on the domain price is YOUR ability as the domain owner to find the ideal buyer for it, for whom the name is valuable.

But discussing a name on a wholesaler forum (there are VERY little end users here) does nothing to devalue the name as you didn't have anyone giving you a $10,000 offer and then retracting it after seeing this post and then saying "I think it is only worth $50."

 

[Haticus]

they're called TLDs... top level domains.

 

[Samer]

The worst part,

they dont say why it’s “TOP”

OR WHY it (was) REJECTED! Lol!

 

[biggie]

Who's judging this stuff anyways?

Hi

i guess the answer is mostly related to @slader23 point below.

and you don't know what their experience is or who is even judging your name or whether they are even qualified to do so

It's subjective to whoever is reviewing your submission to the top domain section.

folks use this as baseline criteria.

Hi
i don't use that section as a baseline and very seldom view what's there, unless it's in "new posts".

i've seen "better" names posted outside of that section, than in it.

It's important as this is a professional forum and if crap is top than everything is top. Get my point?

Hi

if crap is top, then how professional can it be?

Sry for bluntness,

Hi
don't be sorry, sometimes being blunt is the best way to express an opinion, without using similes or metaphors

A site algorithm could be implemented

Hi

yeah, let a bot be the judge
then it will really be f%#ked -up

imo....

 

[Kingslayer]

https://www.namepros.com/threads/megalodons-com-biggest-sharks-ever-in-the-world.1022395/

Top number of bumps in top section.
This domain been bumped for 4 years
Worth $50 imo
Not saying anything else, as were not allowed to criticize np but few areas need attention. Get johnN wife in here to clean house

It's not a bad domain to be fair, single word, is quite valuable and is a 'top domain' - If that domain was freshly listed and you saw it for the the first time you'd think "nice domain" i think the problem you may have with this one is you are just sick of seeing it get bumped every day and i do agree with you with that, there should maybe be a limited time a person can bump or have the domain listed.

A bigger problem i have with that section, is people are just listing their domains on there with no intention selling to an investor, for example 1 guy as listed a bunch of domains together (not going to say the username or domains) and putting "Do not miss this opportunity" in their write up. I enquired about 1 of those domains about 2 years ago, owner wanted $5 million, that's great, it's their domain and they can ask for what they want, but why offer the domain to 'investors' for that price? How can an 'investor' make money investing $5 million for a domain that isn't even industry defining?

It seems like 'some' people use the 'top domain' section for attention as most domains have been deleted and relisted countless of times.

Another problem is quality, some 4 letter .com's get bumped every single day and they are not 'top domains' they would go for about $800 in an auction of GoDaddy, so how have they made the 'top domain' section? It goes back to what i was saying before about 'favorites' and seems the approval team on NamePros do have their favorite people and if you in with the NP mod team, no matter what you submit gets approved.

 

[Domain boy]

I agree with the comments made by @HotKey...I think he's bang on about what he said

Often, everyone has their own view of what a "good domain" and a "top domain" is. A truly top domain, according to me at least: A domain that has an estimate / realistic potential entering 5 figures, or more

If you're a domainer, you know the variables involved for finding that estimate, and in reality, an estimate is all you've got. Any domain can fetch a miracle price, breaking expectations (it happens, sometimes). It is wise to judge what a domain will "likely get", with regards to popular understanding. A simple poll at NamePros could be a solution (a democratic process, majority rule), before getting the official stamp as a "top domain". IMO

Alright but he could say the same thing without necessarily typing my domain into the thread.

I think that if that was his domain, he wouldn't enjoy the fact that another domainer says it's not worth being in the top domains category and hence, devaluing it.

Or am I wrong?

 

[jhm]

Alright but he could say the same thing without necessarily typing my domain into the thread.

I think that if that was his domain, he wouldn't enjoy the fact that another domainer says it's not worth being in the top domains category and hence, devaluing it.

Or am I wrong?

I think he was just using it as an example, don't take it to heart. In reality, we'd love your domain to perform well, and I personally hope it does

 

[NickB]

The quality has gone down a lot in the ‘top domain’ section.

What I’ve noticed is the same names usernames always get approved, similar to how Flippa works and how the same usernames always get ‘editor’s choice’ even when they submit average.

I’ve applied for a domain a few times that is probably the best VR+keyword on the market, 21 years old, taken in 40+ extensions and tipped to generate billions in revenues in the next 5 years, it gets refused, but if the same domain was submitted by ‘one of the favourites’ it would get approved.

Reason I know this, because 1 or 2 of these people have multiple 4L .com’s approved on there that don’t really mean anything.

I would like to see the guidelines for the reasons why domains get approved or rejected in the ‘top domains’ section, if there are set guidelines in place, these guidelines are not followed to a tee because there doesn’t seem to be any consistency!

In my opinion, the top domain section should be for single word .com’s and industry defining 2 word .coms.

Interesting - the underlined bits contradict the below top domain rule.......

iii. "NamePros selects the best domains submitted with consideration given to fair coverage of members and extensions"

Part 3 - https://www.namepros.com/threads/marketplace-faq.848731/#section-030000

 

[jhm]

A site algorithm could be implemented to address this problem (at least, more thorough)

 

[oldtimer]

In my opinion not only that there needs be a higher standard for the domains that are accepted in the Top Domains section, but there should also be some minimum standards for the ones that are in the regular Domain For Sale or Auction sections.

Any domain worth buying or selling shouldn't be priced less than a certain amount otherwise it will give the wrong impression to any end user who might happen to glance at NamePros.

IMO

 

[Future Sensors]

Any domain worth buying or selling shouldn't be priced less than a certain amount otherwise it will give the wrong impression to any end user who might happen to glance at NamePros

This will be very difficult. Apart from the why, how do you decide on such a minimum price?

Furthermore, end-users may read this forum indeed, but it's a forum intended (mostly) for domainers.

 

[Paul]

The only objective assessment of a domain's worth is the amount that a buyer ultimately pays. Up until the money is in your bank account, all assessments are inherently subjective. The Top Domains section is no exception to that rule.

I'm not too familiar with our process for reviewing Top Domains, but I've seen plenty of complaints about it. The two arguments I hear most often are:

1. Top Domains is full of worthless garbage that I would never purchase.
2. My domain, which is clearly worth more than the existing domains in Top Domains, was rejected from Top Domains.

As long as the complaints are roughly split 50/50 between those two categories, I'd say we're doing a decent job.

To those of you in category #1: it may be that you've found a niche that doesn't quite match what we display in Top Domains, or it may be that your tastes differ from what we believe to be the industry norm. That's perfectly fine, but it does mean that Top Domains might not always match your expectations. It's also possible that you've begun dealing with far more valuable domains on a regular basis, in which case even Top Domains may not be selective enough for your portfolio.

To those of you in category #2: we love to be proven wrong in this scenario. If you domain is rejected, and it goes on to sell for a great price, that's awesome! You've earned the right to say, "I told you so," and we're proud of you. Congratulations!

This is a debate that occurs with some degree of regularity, along with the debate over the quality of domains in other sections. The Top Domains section is our answer to the latter debate. It's not perfect, but I have yet to see a proposal that doesn't introduce further problems or subjectivity.

 

[jhm]

Fair comments @HotKey, improvements can be made.

Often, everyone has their own view of what a "good domain" and a "top domain" is. A truly top domain, price wise, according to me at least: A domain that has an estimate / realistic potential entering 5 figures, or more.

If you're a domainer, you know the variables involved for finding that estimate, and in reality, an estimate is all you've got. Any domain can fetch a miracle price, breaking expectations (it happens, sometimes). It is wise to judge what a domain will "likely get", with regards to popular understanding. A simple poll at NamePros could be a solution (a democratic process, majority rule), before getting the official stamp as a "top domain". IMO.

 

[Domain boy]

I think he was just using it as an example, don't take it to heart. In reality, we'd love your domain to perform well, and I personally hope it does

Thanks @jhm

Look, I think the discussion is legitimate and that possible improvements can be made on defining a top domain (perhaps increasing the wholesale threshold and let the domainers decide? idk)

What I don't think is legitimate is calling in a public thread a specific domain and as a domainer you can understand that every second my domain remains in this thread it damages my domaining activity.

I'm here to have a good time and relax with all, and don't really enjoy wasting my time during the weekend.

I hope that all these messages related to my domain will get cancelled as soon as possible and that OP will apologize to me privately.

Having said that, let's get back to business!

@HotKey if you don't like that specific domain don't worry... I have other domains for sale