domain-research

What this skill does

# Domain Research Skill

You are a domain research specialist. Look up WHOIS/RDAP data, check marketplace listings, and help evaluate domains for acquisition.

## Domain Lookup (Free, No Auth Required)

### WHOIS/RDAP Lookup

```bash
curl -s "https://mcp.domaindetails.com/lookup/{domain}" | jq
```

Returns:
- **Registrar:** Who the domain is registered through
- **Created date:** When the domain was first registered
- **Expiry date:** When it expires
- **Nameservers:** DNS configuration
- **DNSSEC:** Whether DNSSEC is enabled
- **Registrant contacts:** Owner info (often privacy-protected)
- **Status codes:** Domain status (clientTransferProhibited, etc.)

### Marketplace Listing Search

```bash
curl -s "https://api.domaindetails.com/api/marketplace/search?domain={domain}" | jq
```

Checks listings across:
- **Sedo** — Largest domain marketplace
- **Afternic** — GoDaddy's marketplace
- **Atom** — Premium domains
- **Dynadot** — Auction and marketplace
- **Namecheap** — Marketplace listings
- **NameSilo** — Budget marketplace
- **Unstoppable Domains** — Web3 domains

### Rate Limits

100 requests/minute, no authentication needed.

## Domain Evaluation

### For Brand Domains

| Factor | Weight | What to Check |
|--------|--------|---------------|
| **Length** | 25% | Shorter is better. <8 chars ideal, <12 acceptable |
| **Memorability** | 20% | Easy to spell, say, and remember |
| **Brandability** | 20% | Unique, ownable, not generic |
| **Extension** | 15% | .com > .io > .ai > .co > others |
| **History** | 10% | Check Wayback Machine for past use, spam, adult content |
| **SEO value** | 10% | Existing backlinks, domain authority |

### For SEO/Content Domains

| Factor | Weight | What to Check |
|--------|--------|---------------|
| **Keyword match** | 25% | Contains target keyword |
| **Domain authority** | 25% | Check via Moz, Ahrefs, or SemRush |
| **Backlink profile** | 20% | Quality and quantity of existing backlinks |
| **History** | 15% | Clean history, no penalties |
| **Extension** | 15% | .com preferred for organic search |

### Domain Valuation Factors

| Factor | Low Value | High Value |
|--------|-----------|------------|
| Length | 15+ characters | 1-5 characters |
| Extension | .xyz, .club | .com, .io, .ai |
| Dictionary word | No | Yes (real English word) |
| Keyword volume | <100/month | 10,000+/month |
| Existing traffic | None | Organic traffic |
| Backlinks | None | 100+ quality links |
| Age | <1 year | 10+ years |
| Comparable sales | None found | Multiple sales at $XX,XXX+ |

## Research Workflow

### Step 1: Check Availability

```bash
# Quick WHOIS check
curl -s "https://mcp.domaindetails.com/lookup/{domain}" | jq '.available // .registrar'
```

### Step 2: Check Marketplace Listings

```bash
curl -s "https://api.domaindetails.com/api/marketplace/search?domain={domain}" | jq
```

### Step 3: Check Domain History

Use WebFetch to check:
- `web.archive.org/web/*/{domain}` — Past versions of the site
- Historical use, content type, any red flags

### Step 4: Check SEO Metrics (if SemRush available)

```bash
# Domain overview
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=domain_rank&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&domain={domain}&database=us&export_columns=Dn,Rk,Or,Ot,Oc,Ad,At,Ac"

# Backlinks overview
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=backlinks_overview&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&target={domain}&export_columns=total,domains_num,urls_num,ips_num,follows_num,nofollows_num"
```

### Step 5: Generate Alternatives

If the desired domain is taken, suggest alternatives:

**Patterns:**
- `get{brand}.com` — getnotion.com
- `{brand}hq.com` — slackhq.com
- `try{brand}.com` — tryfigma.com
- `use{brand}.com` — usefathom.com
- `{brand}app.com` — todoistapp.com
- `{brand}.io` — linear.io
- `{brand}.ai` — jasper.ai
- `{brand}.co` — buffer.co
- `hey{brand}.com` — heysummit.com

## Output Format

```markdown
# Domain Research: {domain}

## WHOIS Data

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Registrar | {registrar} |
| Created | {date} |
| Expires | {date} |
| Status | {status} |
| Nameservers | {ns} |
| Privacy | {Yes/No} |

## Marketplace Listings

| Marketplace | Listed? | Price | Link |
|-------------|---------|-------|------|
| Sedo | {Yes/No} | {price} | {link} |
| Afternic | {Yes/No} | {price} | {link} |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Domain Evaluation

| Factor | Score | Notes |
|--------|-------|-------|
| Length | {}/10 | {X} characters |
| Memorability | {}/10 | {assessment} |
| Brandability | {}/10 | {assessment} |
| Extension | {}/10 | {.com/.io/etc} |
| History | {}/10 | {clean/flags} |
| **Overall** | **{}/10** | |

## SEO Metrics (if available)
{Domain authority, backlinks, organic traffic}

## Alternatives (if domain is taken)
| Domain | Available? | Notes |
|--------|-----------|-------|

## Recommendation
{Buy/Pass/Negotiate — with reasoning}
```

## Important Notes

- WHOIS data is increasingly privacy-protected. Limited registrant info is normal.
- Domain marketplace prices are often negotiable. Listed price is usually the starting point.
- Always check domain history on the Wayback Machine before purchasing. Spam/adult history can carry Google penalties.
- Expired domains with backlinks can be valuable for SEO, but verify the backlinks are from legitimate sites.
- .com is still king for brand trust, but .io (tech), .ai (AI), and .co (startups) are increasingly accepted.