Google Chrome Domain Names

Google remained tight-lipped regarding its fresh browser. So who registered GoogleChrome.com a month ago?

By now you’ve probably read that Google is releasing a web browser called Google Chrome. Perhaps you’re feeling the same way I am: great, one more browser to optimize for.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) did a good job keeping the lid on its browser notice. There have been rumors of a Google browser for many years, in part since the domain name GBrowser.com was registered back in 2004 (the domain is right now at MarkMonitor, which provides domain services to corporations). But funding regarding 80% of Mozilla and heavily promoting FireFox sure made people doubt plans for a Google throwing its hat in the ring.

But Google Chrome? Few people had heard of that name.

So there’s a bit of a mystery with GoogleChrome.com, a domain that was registered on July 30, a full month ahead of the name really slipped. The domain is registered at GoDaddy using its privacy service. It’s doubtful that Google owns the domain since it is right now parked at Sedo. The seller on Sedo lists his or her residence as Turkey. The domain has by now received one offer at Sedo.

As for other Google Chrome domain names, all other extensions were snapped up yesterday and this morning. .Net, .org, and .info have privacy protection while .biz and .us are registered by a Roanoke man.

Chrome.com is owned by an automotive services provider which is surely getting lots of traffic today.

My guess is that the registrant of GoogleChrome.com either had an inside scoop or just brainstormed names for a Google browser. “Chrome” is a term that refers to the UI frame of a web browser.

In case you’re looking for the official Google Chrome web page, you’ll probably see it in the future at Google.com/Chrome or on the Google Gears’ web site.