Multiple, but similar, domains

[Paco]

Hi All,

I just want to pose a hypothetical question:
Let's say that you have a well-known name like, for example, Betty Crocker. The company that owns this name gets a domain named "BettyCrockersKitchen.com" and builds a site with the same title. Now to cover their bases they also get a domain "BettyCrocker.com" because that is their trademarked name.
Their webhost has them pointing to the same website; if you access either domain you get the same site.
The company is not trying to scam anybody. They just want to own the relevant domain names associated with "Betty Crocker's Kitchen", the website title, and "Betty Crocker" the trademarked name (understanding that there could be more revelant domain names besides these two).
Is this unethical? Will it cause a problem and, if so, what?
Thank You,
Paco

[ihelpyou]

No prob at all as long as you only promote one of them to the se's. It could be a prob if you actively promote them all.

You can 'point' as many domains as you wish to one site. Many of us do.

[Paco]

Thank You Doug,

Sorry, but I need to know what exactly you mean by "promote". Is submitting a URL "promotion"? If one URL is submitted to, say, Inktomi and another URL is submitted to the ODP and then Goolgle finds and lists them both, is this trouble? What do you do with all those extra domains you mentioned?
Thank You,
Paco

[ihelpyou]

Ya don't touch them at all paco. you don't promote them at all. If you do, that's spam.

What do I do? Nothing. Visitors will type in a domain in the address box and come to my site. That's all. They are only pointers and Nothing to do with the search engines.

If you have two domains for the se's, you WILL get into trouble. That ain't what they are for nor should you use them for that. The only time it's okay is if your are promoting to two or more countries and two different extensions such as .com and .au or .co.uk or something.

[Paco]

Claro, Thank You Doug.
Paco

[Paco]

Doug, On second thought.....

Maybe not so clear.

You said: "They are only pointers and Nothing to do with the search engines."

How do people find these pointers, these un-search engine-listed domains? If it is by a link then won't it get picked up by a search engine eventually? If a competitor submits your "pointer" domain won't you get in trouble too? Maybe there is more to this than meets the eye.
Sincerely in the Quest for Clarity,
Paco

[ihelpyou]

Of course there is.

For the sake of not rehashing real long threads, do a search for 'domain pointers' in here to see.

To be simple...... simply do not promote the extras. Please.

And again, visitors type your domains into the address bar. That's how you use pointers. You do NOT want people to 'find' them as that would be 'promoting' them.

[Paco]

Doug,

Thanks for the suggestion. I read the "domain pointers" thread. It's quite a spirited discussion.

I'm beginning to get the picture that the search engine algos are in constant flux in response to their being solved and that SEO people are doomed to always be behind the curve, with the attendant debate that inspires.

Consequently, I can understand the trend to go to the end game and emphasize content. But, even when all content is good there will still be competition for position, so I do not see an end unless all search engines adopt the pay per click model.

And because the pay per click model is analogus to the world of advertising that we have come to know outside of the net, I see no reason that the commercial side of the net shouldn't eventually follow.
Paco