Three years after acquiring Uniregistry in 2020, GoDaddy has taken over its IP, talent, and Frank Schilling's domain portfolio.



As a result, both Uniregistry and the Uni Market are no longer functioning as domain venues. However, domain investors who previously used Uni(registry) can now manage their domains using the GoDaddy interface.

Despite this transition, the domains remain with Uniregistry as the registrar. There was no registrar transfer during the transition, therefore avoiding the standard 60 day lock that usually takes place after such transfers. End-users are unable to access their Uniregistry accounts and push domain names from one account at Uni to another, but GoDaddy account managers can do so.

According to a comment by James Iles of GoDaddy, there seems to be a "backdoor" available to GoDaddy employees only at Uniregistry, which allows them to move domains freely from Uniregistry to other accounts at Uniregistry or at GoDaddy. It is interesting, if not amusing, to note that this "backdoor" effectively grants GoDaddy employees "God mode" over domain investors' portfolios.

An ongoing issue at Dan.com appears to have prompted James' comment, and he mentioned that upcoming updates will end this obvious glitch of Uniregistry being listed as a separate registrar as far as account-to-account pushes go.

Uni Market was an online marketplace platform that provided a space for individuals and small businesses to buy and sell goods. However, after its acquisition by GoDaddy, the company faced significant changes and challenges that ultimately led to its fading away.

GoDaddy, primarily known for its web hosting and domain registration services, saw potential in Uni Market to expand its portfolio and enter the e-commerce market. However, the integration process proved to be more challenging than anticipated.

One of the main reasons behind Uni Market's downfall was the lack of support and resources provided by GoDaddy. The transition to GoDaddy's infrastructure was not smooth, leading to technical issues and an overall decline in the platform's performance. Many users reported difficulties in accessing the website, listing items, and communicating with buyers or sellers.

Moreover, GoDaddy seemed to prioritize its core services over Uni Market, resulting in inadequate attention and neglect of essential updates and improvements needed to sustain the marketplace. This lack of investment and commitment from GoDaddy eventually eroded user trust and participation.

Competitive pressures also played a role in Uni Market's decline. Established e-commerce giants such as Amazon, eBay, or Shopify offered more robust platforms with greater reach, making it challenging for Uni Market to attract both buyers and sellers. Additionally, the absence of unique features or niche markets limited the platform's ability to differentiate itself in the crowded e-commerce landscape.

As a result, Uni Market struggled to gain traction and retain users, leading to a gradual decline in activity and eventual shutdown. While GoDaddy might have had good intentions to expand into e-commerce, the integration process and lack of necessary focus and investment ultimately led to the demise of Uni Market.

Another example of a registrar acting like a domain dictator. GoDaddy's "backdoor" feature is a brilliant move, allowing their employees to play "domain police" and move domains around without anyone's consent. It has nothing to do with the fact that they acquired Uniregistry and want to consolidate their power in the domain market.