System and method for domain name query metrics

Abstract

A system and method for providing users an assessment tool for determining the level of demand for domain names. The assessment tool is configured to receive, by a server communicatively coupled to a network, a request from a requester. The request is used to identify a domain name and determine whether the domain name is registered. When the domain name is not registered, a search metric for the domain name is determined and a first user interface listing the domain name and the search metric is displayed. The first user interface enables the requester to purchase the domain name.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, a request for a domain name by a requester;   when the domain name is not registered:
 accessing a search history for the domain name to determine a probability that the domain name will be registered within a predetermined time period, and 
 displaying a first user interface listing the domain name and the probability, the first user interface enabling the requester to register the domain name; and 
   when the domain name is registered:
 analyzing the search history for the domain name to determine a search metric based upon a number of users in the search history requesting or searching for the domain name, and 
 displaying a second user interface listing the domain name and the search metric, the second user interface enabling the requester to participate in an auction for the domain name. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein accessing the search history to determine the probability includes determining a number of users in the search history that searched for the domain name. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probability that the domain name will be registered is restricted to a first geographic region. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search metric includes a total number of requests for the domain name by other requesters. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the total number of requests for the domain name by other requesters is categorized by geographic location. 
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, a request for a domain name by a requester using a domain name registrar's website;   accessing domain search logs to determine a number of requests for the domain name by other requesters;   generating a search metric based upon the number of requests for the domain name by other requesters; and   displaying a first user interface listing the domain name and the search metric, the first user interface enabling the requester to at least one of register the domain name and participate in at least one of an auction process and a brokerage process to register the domain name.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, before receiving the request for the domain name, updating the domain search logs stored in a historical database, wherein the domain search logs comprise information describing a plurality of users and a plurality of domain name searches entered by the plurality of users using a domain name registrar's website to request or search for candidate domain names. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the search metric is at least partially based upon the information describing the plurality of users and the plurality of domain name searches entered by the plurality of users using the domain name registrar's website to request or search for candidate domain names. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of domain name searches entered by the plurality of users are categorized by geographic location. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the information describing the plurality of users and the plurality of domain name searches is restricted to a first date range. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the search metric includes a probability that the domain name will be registered over a period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the probability that the domain name will be registered is restricted to a first geographic region. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising.
 at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, the at least one server being configured to:
 receive a request for a domain name by a requester using a domain name registrar's website; 
 access domain search logs to determine a number of requests for the domain name by other requesters; 
 generate a search metric based upon the number of requests for the domain name by other requesters; and 
 display a first user interface listing the domain name and the search metric, the first user interface enabling the requester to at least one of register the domain name and participate in at least one of an auction process and a brokerage process to register the domain name. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one server is configured to, before receiving the request for the domain name, update the domain search logs stored in a historical database, wherein the domain search logs comprise information describing a plurality of users and a plurality of domain name searches entered by the plurality of users using a domain name registrar's website to request or search for candidate domain names. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the search metric is at least partially based upon the information describing the plurality of users and the plurality of domain name searches entered by the plurality of users using the domain name registrar's website to request or search for candidate domain names. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of domain name searches entered by the plurality of users are categorized by geographic location. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the information describing the plurality of users and the plurality of domain name searches is restricted to a first date range. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the search metric includes a probability that the domain name will be registered over a period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the probability that the domain name will be registered is restricted to a first geographic region.