GoDaddy#Controversies

File:GoDaddy Logo.png

GoDaddy was founded in 1997 in Phoenix, Arizona, by entrepreneur Bob Parsons. Prior to founding GoDaddy, Parsons had sold his financial software services company Parsons Technology to Intuit for $65 million in 1994.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/896878/0000891618-96-000868.txt|title=COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-21180|last=INTUIT INC.}} He came out of his retirement in 1997 to launch Jomax Technologies, taking its name from a road in Phoenix Arizona.

In 1999, a group of employees at Jomax Technologies were brainstorming a new company name, with "Big Daddy" being a popular suggestion. However, finding this domain name already taken, "Go Daddy" was purchased instead.{{cite web|url=http://www.bobparsons.me/9/how-godaddy-got-name-logo-mean.html |title=BobParsons.me |publisher=BobParsons.me |date=2004-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802085605/http://www.bobparsons.me/9/how-godaddy-got-name-logo-mean.html |archive-date=2009-08-02 }} Parsons believed this to be a simple and memorable name. Jomax Technologies rebranded to GoDaddy in February 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209030136/http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp|title=Domain Name Registration, Domain Transfers. Your domain name search starts here.|archive-date=9 February 2006|work=godaddy.com}}

By 2001, GoDaddy was approximately the same size as competitors Dotster and eNom.{{Cite web|url=http://www.registrarstats.com/|title=RegistrarStats– TLD Statistics, Domain research tools|website=registrarstats.com|access-date=2016-11-21|archive-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307022559/http://www.registrarstats.com/|url-status=dead}} In April 2005, GoDaddy became the largest ICANN-accredited registrar on the Internet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.web-hosting-top.com/web-hosting/news/articles/6359/go-daddy-top-registrar,-says-study|title=Go Daddy Top Registrar, Says Study {{!}} 2005-04-27 {{!}} WHTop.com|website=whtop.com|date=27 April 2005 |access-date=2016-11-21}} GoDaddy received a strategic investment, in 2011, from private equity funds, KKR, Silver Lake, and Technology Crossover Ventures.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tcv.com/go-daddy-enters-partnership-with-kkr-silver-lake-tcv/|title=TCV {{!}} Technology Crossover Ventures|website=Technology Crossover Ventures|access-date=2016-11-21|archive-date=2016-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006000800/http://www.tcv.com/go-daddy-enters-partnership-with-kkr-silver-lake-tcv/|url-status=dead}}

In 2017, GoDaddy acquired the security platform Sucuri. In April 2017, GoDaddy acquired the Host Europe Group, including firms 123 Reg (at that point the UK's largest domain name registrar, with more than 3 million names registered and 1.3 million websites hosted), Domain Factory, and Heart Internet, for 1.69 billion euros ($1.82 billion).{{Cite news |date=2016-12-06 |title=GoDaddy to buy Host Europe for $1.82 billion |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-host-europe-loans-idUSKBN13V194 |access-date=2023-06-12}} In March 2018, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced that GoDaddy was migrating the vast majority of its infrastructure to AWS as part of a multi-year transition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180328005408/en/|title=GoDaddy Goes All-In on AWS|date=2018-03-28|website=Business Wire|access-date=2018-08-21}}

In January 2020, GoDaddy unveiled a new logo with a simple, sans-serif type accompanied by a heart-shaped design that spells out "GO".{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Dami |title=GoDaddy's new logo is a flattening of the personality-driven days of the early web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/14/21065443/godaddy-logo-redesign-rebrand-website-domain |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=The Verge|date=January 14, 2020}} In April 2021, the headquarters relocated from Scottsdale, Arizona to Tempe, Arizona.

As of 2024, GoDaddy serves mostly small businesses and companies.

{{Main list|List of mergers and acquisitions by GoDaddy

}}

In 2013, GoDaddy was reported as the largest ICANN-accredited registrar in the world, at the size of four times their closest competitor.{{Cite web|url=http://domainnamewire.com/2010/08/17/go-daddy-marches-toward-1-billion/|title=Go Daddy Marches Toward $1 Billion{{!}} Domain Name News & Views|date=2010-08-17|website=Domain Name Wire {{!}} Domain Name News & Views|access-date=2016-11-21}} They also have a {{convert|270000|sqft|adj=on}} facility in Phoenix, Arizona.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/11/07/daily58.html|title=GoDaddy.com to open Phoenix data center |website=Phoenix Business Journal|access-date=2016-11-21}}

The website PeeringDB records that GoDaddy maintains two autonomous systems. They allow services to be accessed across the global internet. AS-26496, the main autonomous system, is reachable from six cities at nine public & private peering facilities.{{cite web | url=https://www.peeringdb.com/net/430 | title=PeeringDB }}

In 2020, GoDaddy completed the acquisition of the domain registry services of Neustar and renamed the service "GoDaddy Registry". Initially, GoDaddy Registry operated the country code top-level domains .co and .us, and generic top-level domains such as .biz and .club.{{cite news |last1=Allemann |first1=Andrew |title=GoDaddy completes Neustar Registry acquisition |url=https://domainnamewire.com/2020/08/04/godaddy-completes-neustar-registry-acquisition/ |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=Domain Name Wire |date=4 August 2020}}

As of January 2025, operating under the legal name "Registry Services, LLC", GoDaddy Registry operates the following top-level domains according to the IANA root database:{{cite web |title=Root Zone Database |url=https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db |website=Internet Assigned Numbers Authority |access-date=24 January 2025}} .abogado, .beer, .biz, .blackfriday, .boston, .casa, .club, .compare, .cooking, .courses, .dds, .design, .fashion, .fishing, .fit, .garden, .gay, .health, .horse, .ink, .law, .luxe, .miami, .photo, .rodeo, .select, .study, .surf, .tattoo, .us, .vip, .vodka, .wedding, .wiki, .work, .yoga

GoDaddy is known for its advertising on TV and in newspapers, particularly in the US market.{{cite news|title=Super Bowl Ads of Cartoonish Violence, Perhaps Reflecting Toll of War |last=Elliot |first=Stuart |newspaper=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/05/business/media/05adcol.html |date=February 5, 2007 |access-date=2007-02-07}}

Celebrity endorsers have included pro-golfer Anna Rawson,{{Cite news |author=Elliot Harris |url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/quickhits/1504650,CST-SPT-1hit01.article |title=A REAL (GO)DADDY'S GIRL: Golfer well above par |work=Chicago Sun Times |date=2009-04-01 |access-date=2009-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402110332/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/quickhits/1504650,CST-SPT-1hit01.article |archive-date=2009-04-02 }} Marina Orlova,{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/08/05/20090805sr-godaddy0806.html|title=Internet star is latest Go Daddy girl|website=azcentral.com|access-date=2016-11-21|archive-date=2020-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126080514/http://archive.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/08/05/20090805sr-godaddy0806.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.adrants.com/2009/08/marina-orlova-added-to-stable-of-godaddy.php|title=Marina Orlova Added to Stable of GoDaddy Girls|last=Hall|first=Steve|website=adrants.com|access-date=2016-11-21}} personal trainer Jillian Michaels,{{cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100914006669/en/Wellness-Coach-Jillian-Michaels-Signs-New-Daddy |title=Wellness Coach Jillian Michaels Signs on as New Go Daddy Girl|date=2010-09-14|publisher=Go Daddy Group |access-date=2020-08-04}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2010-09-15-godaddy15_ST_N.htm?csp=obinsite |title=GoDaddy signs 'Biggest Loser' star Jillian Michaels|newspaper=USAToday.com |date=2010-09-15 |access-date=2010-09-23 | first=Bruce | last=Horovitz}} and Jean-Claude Van Damme.{{cite news |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/09/lets-talk-about-jean-claude-van-dammes-godaddy-commercial/ |title=Let's Talk About Jean-Claude Van Damme's GoDaddy Commercial |author=Foss, Mike |newspaper=USA Today |date=2013-09-06 |access-date=2013-11-10}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-jean-claude-van-damme-weirdly-keeps-beat-go-daddy-152220 |title=Ad of the Day: Jean-Claude Van Damme Weirdly Keeps the Beat for GoDaddy |magazine=AdWeek|date=2013-09-05 |access-date=2013-11-10}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3016926/godaddy-shifts-from-sleaze-to-jean-claude-van-damme |title=GoDaddy Shifts from Sleaze to Jean-Claude Van Damme |author=Miller, Jennifer |magazine=Fast Company |date=2013-09-06 |access-date=2013-11-10}}

GoDaddy started advertising in the Super Bowl in 2005. Since then, the company has expanded its marketing to include sports sponsorships.{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2005/02/07/news/midcaps/superbowl_godaddy/index.htm|title=GoDaddy.com in Super Bowl ad ruckus – Feb. 7, 2005|last=Crawford|first=Krysten|website=money.cnn.com|access-date=2016-11-21}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/129006|title=Catching Up With Go Daddy Founder & CEO Bob Parsons|website=sportsbusinessdaily.com|access-date=2016-11-21}}

Also, GoDaddy was co-sponsor for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 that was hosted in England and Wales.{{Cite web|title=ICC partners with GoDaddy as official sponsor of the Men's Cricket World Cup 2019|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/media-releases/1094056|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-08-07|website=www.icc-cricket.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807194005/https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/media-releases/1094056}}

GoDaddy's 2007 Super Bowl XLI advertisement was criticized in the New York Times as being "cheesy"; in National Review as "raunchy, 'Girls-Gone-Wild' style";{{cite magazine|title=Not-So-Super Ads |magazine=National Review|last=Nimouse (pseudonym) |first=Anna |date=February 6, 2007 |access-date=2007-02-07 |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODYyMGY4OTJkODhiYjczMmUwMzMwNThhZTY2ZjE2Yjk= |quote=The GoDaddy commercial that garnered enormous reaction (much negative) last year, with the buxom babe wearing a skimpy T-shirt with the logo across her chest, was tame in comparison to the raunchy, "Girls-Gone-Wild" style of this year's advertisement. The fact that the advertisement caused such a stir last year probably helped determine the content of this one. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328163757/http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODYyMGY4OTJkODhiYjczMmUwMzMwNThhZTY2ZjE2Yjk%3D |archive-date=March 28, 2007 }} and "just sad" by Barbara Lippert in Adweek, who gave the advertisement a "D" grade.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.adweek.com/aw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003541503 |title=Barbara Lippert's Critique: The Morning After |last=Lippert |first=Barbara |date=February 5, 2007 |access-date=2007-02-07 |magazine=Adweek |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070308040456/http://www.adweek.com/aw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003541503 |archive-date = March 8, 2007}}

The 2008 Super Bowl XLII GoDaddy advertisement received a negative response from the press. Adweek's Barbara Lippert described it as a "poorly produced scene in a living room where people are gathered to watch the Super Bowl. As we watch them watch, a guy at his computer in the corner of the room drags the crowd over to GoDaddy.com to view the banned ad instead." Lippert also said, "it will probably produce a Pavlovian response in getting actual viewers in their own living rooms to do the same."{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2004 |title=The Love Drug |url=http://www.adweek.com/aw/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000652494 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041011191439/http://www.adweek.com/aw/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000652494 |archive-date=October 11, 2004}}

In 2009, GoDaddy purchased spots for two different commercials featuring GoDaddy Girl and IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick for Super Bowl XLIII. In "Shower", Danica takes a shower with Simona Fusco Stratten as three college students control the women's maneuvers from a computer. "Baseball" is a spoof of the steroids scandal.{{cite web|last=Reisinger |first=Don |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10154867-2.html/ |title=Did online companies market their brands well at the Super Bowl? |publisher=CNET |date=2009-02-02 |archive-date=2011-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810025011/http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10154867-2.html}} While "Shower" won GoDaddy's online vote, "Baseball" was the most popular of the Super Bowl. Both helped increase domain registrations by 110 percent above 2008 post-Super Bowl levels.{{cite web|last=Larson |first=Jane |url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2009/02/02/20090202biz-godaddy0203.html |title=GoDaddy a Super Bowl star |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=2009-02-03 |access-date=2009-04-20}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/02/02/daily6.html |title=GoDaddy scores with dual Super Bowl ads|publisher=Phoenix Business Journal|date=2009-02-02 |access-date=2009-04-20 |first=Patrick |last=O'Grady}} GoDaddy posted Internet-only versions of its commercials during the game, which were extended versions containing more risque content.{{cite web|last=Boswell |first=Jeffrey |url=http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2009/02/06/sports_qa_super_bowl_edition.php/ |title=Sports Q&A: Super Bowl Edition|publisher=Sports-Central.org |date=2009-02-06 |access-date=2009-04-20}} "Baseball" was the most watched Super Bowl commercial according to TiVo, Inc.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28978813 |title='Enhancement' ad Super Bowl's most watched |work=NBC News|date=2009-02-02 |access-date=2009-04-20}} According to Comscore, GoDaddy ranked first in advertiser Web site follow-through.{{cite press release|publisher=Comscore |url=https://ir.comscore.com/news-releases/news-release-details/doritos-registers-highest-brand-improvement-score-comscores-2009 |title=Doritos Registers Highest Brand Improvement Score in Comscore's 2009 Super Bowl Survey|date=2009-02-05 |access-date=2020-08-04}} Rob Goulding, head of business-to-business markets for Google, offered an in-depth analysis of Super Bowl spots that aired during Sunday's championship game. He said the most successful were multichannel-oriented, driving viewers to Web sites and "focusing on conversion as never before". GoDaddy experienced significant Web traffic and a strong "hangover" effect of viewer interest in the days that followed due to a provocative "teaser" advertisement pointing to the Web, Goulding said.{{cite web|url=http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090209/FREE/302099981/1109/FREE/ |title=B-to-B Outlook 2009: Integrate campaigns to boost performance |publisher=BtoBOnline.com |date=2009-02-09 |access-date=2009-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824102540/http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090209%2FFREE%2F302099981%2F1109%2FFREE%2F |archive-date=2010-08-24 }}

GoDaddy also advertised during the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV, purchasing two spots.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2009/09/15/20090915sr-godaddy0916.html |title=More racy Go Daddy ads coming in time for Super Bowl|publisher=AZCentral.com |date=2009-09-15 |access-date=2010-03-17}} The commercials "Spa" and "News" starred GoDaddy Girl and racecar driver Danica Patrick. In "Spa", Patrick is getting a lavish massage when the masseuse breaks into a spontaneous GoDaddy Girl audition.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2010/02/06/4608753.htm |title=Driver stars in tame Go Daddy ad|publisher=TMCNet.com |date=2010-02-06 |access-date=2010-03-17}} In "News", anchors conduct a 'gotcha' interview with GoDaddy Girl Danica Patrick about commercials known for being too hot for television.{{cite web|url=http://www.i4u.com/article30496.html |title=I4U.com |publisher=I4U.com |date=2010-02-02 |access-date=2010-03-17}} According to Akamai, there was a large spike in Internet traffic late in the fourth quarter of the game. This spike was tied to GoDaddy's "News" advertisement airing. CEO Bob Parsons said GoDaddy received "a tremendous surge in Web traffic, sustained the spike, converted new customers and shot overall sales off the chart".{{cite web|url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2010/02/08/go-daddy-ad-drives-huge-traffic-spike/ |title=Go Daddy Ad Drives Huge Traffic Spike|publisher=DataCenterKnowledge.com |date=2010-02-08 |access-date=2010-03-17}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/admeter/2010admeter.htm |title=USA Today AdMeter |newspaper=USAToday.com |date=2010-02-08 |access-date=2010-03-17 | first=Bruce | last=Horovitz}}

In 2013, GoDaddy moved away from salacious advertising practices in an attempt to improve its brand image.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/05/business/media/godaddy-steps-away-from-the-jiggle.html?_r=0 |title=GoDaddy Steps Away From the Jiggle |newspaper=NYTimes.com |date=2013-09-04 |access-date=2017-09-02 | first=Stuart| last=Elliott}} In 2016, GoDaddy did not advertise during the Super Bowl for the first time in over a decade,{{Cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/godaddy/301851/ |title=GoDaddy Will Sit Out Super Bowl 50, Ending a Run Dating Back to 2005|publisher=AdAge.com |date=2015-12-17 |access-date=2017-09-02 | first=Anthony| last=Crupi}} but returned in 2017 with their "The Internet Wants You" campaign.{{Cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/godaddy-brings-internet-life-super-bowl-ad/307669/ |title=GoDaddy Brings the Internet to Life in Super Bowl Ad|publisher=AdAge.com |date=2017-01-25 |access-date=2017-09-02 | first=Poggi| last=Jeanine}}

In 2025, GoDaddy returned to Super Bowl advertising for the first time in eight years with a commercial promoting their AI service Airo starring actor Walton Goggins.{{cite news |last1=Telling |first1=Gillian |date=23 January 2025 |title=Fallout Actor Walton Goggins Is Starring in His First Super Bowl Ad |url=https://people.com/walton-goggins-first-super-bowl-ad-godaddy-teaser-8778792 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=People}}{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2024-11-12 |title=GoDaddy, All Grown Up, Returns to Super Bowl Ad Roster After Eight-Year Absence |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/super-bowl-commercials-godaddy-return-1236207134/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

File:Long Beach 2011 GP - Danica Patrick.jpg' Andretti Autosport GoDaddy sponsored IndyCar,

at the 2011 Long Beach Grand Prix]]

In 2009 and 2010, GoDaddy advertised during the Indianapolis 500.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2009-05-27-danica-patrick-future_N.htm |title=Patrick tries to keep her focus on IndyCar racing |newspaper=USAToday.com |date=2009-05-27 |access-date=2009-06-02 | first=Gary | last=Graves}}{{Cite news|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/go-daddy-and-sin-no-more/?src=busln |title=Media Decoder Blog |publisher=Stuart Elliott |date=2010-05-30 |access-date=2010-07-20}}

For the Las Vegas race in 2011, GoDaddy created a promotion wherein driver Dan Wheldon would have won $2.5m each for himself and fan Ann Babenco if he won the race, starting from last place. A 15-car pileup, 11 laps into the race, injured four drivers and killed Wheldon.{{cite web|url=http://indycarworldchampionships.com/Sweepstakes/|title=IZOD INDYCAR World Championships :: $2.5 million!* Sweepstakes|date=17 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917072727/http://indycarworldchampionships.com/Sweepstakes/|archive-date=17 September 2011}}New Jersey On-Line – [http://www.nj.com/motorsports/index.ssf/2011/10/dan_wheldons_death_hits_home_with_high_bridge_family.html IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon's death hits home with High Bridge family], October 16, 2011

File:TSM350 - 2015 - Danica Patrick - 2 - Stierch.jpg's GoDaddy sponsored Chevrolet at the 2015 Toyota/Save Mart 350]]

GoDaddy sponsored Brad Keselowski in the #25 for Hendrick Motorsports on a limited basis in the Sprint Cup series (owing to the "part-time rookie exemption" to a four-car limit). After a successful 2008 season, GoDaddy is expanding its 2009 NASCAR sponsorship with the JR Motorsports organization, sponsoring 20 Nationwide Series races as the primary sponsors, split between the #5 and #88 teams. The #88 deal gave Keselowski a full 35-race NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsorship for 2009 split with Delphi and Unilever. GoDaddy will also be the primary sponsor for seven races in the Sprint Cup Series with Keselowski driving.{{cite web|url=http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news_detail.asp?id=2212&bhcp=1/ |title=Hendrick Motorsports 2009 Sponsor Announcement |publisher=Hendrickmotorsports.com |date=2009-01-07 |access-date=2009-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112083831/http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news_detail.asp?id=2212&bhcp=1%2F |archive-date=2009-01-12 }} GoDaddy.com signed a one-year deal with Darlington Raceway to sponsor the 53rd Annual Rebel 500, the fifth-oldest race on the Sprint Cup circuit.{{cite web|url=http://capturedtech.com/AssociatedPress.aspx |title=Associated Press |publisher=CapturedTech.com |access-date=2009-04-20}}{{cite news|last=Iacobelli |first=Pete |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2009-04-13-1994942161_x.htm |title=GoDaddy.com to sponsor Darlington race |newspaper=USAToday.com |date=2009-04-13 |access-date=2009-04-20}} Keselowski got his third Nationwide victory at Dover – his first in the #88 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=330134 |title=Keselowski surprise victor at Dover|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=2009-05-30 |access-date=2009-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605180125/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=330134 |archive-date=2009-06-05 }} In the same season, Keselowski scored a second Nationwide victory in the #88 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet at the first ever NASCAR race at Iowa Speedway and then at Michigan.{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/bg/08/01/post.race.bkeselowski.wins.iowa/index.html |title=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR.com |date=2009-08-03 |access-date=2009-08-13}}

For 2010, the Hendrick/GoDaddy association continued; Danica Patrick drove a 12-race schedule in the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, while GoDaddy.com was also the primary sponsor for Mark Martin in the #5 Chevrolet Impala for most of the 2010 and 2011 seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.dalejr.com/#news/view/146 |title=DaleJR.com |publisher=DaleJR.com |date=2009-12-08 |access-date=2010-03-17}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2009-12-15-danica-patrick-cover_N.htm?csp=34 |title=USAToday.com |newspaper=USA Today|date=2009-12-17 |access-date=2010-03-17 | first=Nate | last=Ryan}}

In 2012, Danica Patrick moved from the IndyCar Racing Series to race full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in the #7 and part-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the #10 for Stewart Haas Racing where GoDaddy.com was the primary sponsor for the full season on both cars. After finishing 10th in the Nationwide Series standings with one pole award in 2012, Patrick moved to full-time in the Sprint Cup Series in 2013 where GoDaddy sponsored her full-season schedule. Patrick rewarded GoDaddy for their sponsorship by winning the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to do so.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130217/car-nascar-daytona-500/|title=Danica Patrick wins pole for NASCAR's Daytona 500|work=Huffington Post|date=2013-02-17|access-date=2013-02-17}}

GoDaddy chose not to continue its sponsorship of NASCAR in 2016, intending to shift sponsorship to avenues with greater international reach. However, GoDaddy is trying to retain Patrick on a personal service contract.{{cite web|last1=Pockrass|first1=Bob|title=Danica Patrick eyes new sponsor for 2016 with GoDaddy not in picture|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/12785122/godaddy-ends-sponsorship-danica-patrick-nascar|website=ESPN|date=29 April 2015 |access-date=30 April 2015}}

For the 2010 through 2015 college football seasons, GoDaddy was the sponsor of the GoDaddy Bowl, a postseason bowl game played in Mobile, Alabama, which was previously branded as the GMAC Bowl before GMAC took TARP funding in 2009. The game matched teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference. The bowl was renamed the Dollar General Bowl after the variety store chain Dollar General took over sponsorship in 2016.

In 2009, GoDaddy donated $50,000 to the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA in Arizona, despite the organization requesting only $1,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/07/08/20090708phxbriefs0709.html |title=GoDaddy donates to YMCA|publisher=AZCentral.com |date=2009-07-09 |access-date=2009-08-13}} In December 2009, at GoDaddy's annual Holiday Party, Executive Chairman and Founder Bob Parsons and Danica Patrick announced that GoDaddy would be donating $500,000 to the Phoenix-based UMOM New Day Center to fund the Danica Patrick GoDaddy.com Domestic Violence Center.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/12/15/20091215sr-bigbash1216.html |title=Go Daddy holiday bash includes music, food and charity|publisher=AZCentral.com |date=2009-12-15 |access-date=2010-03-17}}

An order was placed with Orange County Choppers for a custom motorcycle to raise contributions for charity. This was documented by the reality show American Chopper.Discovery channel: American Chopper episode 82{{Cite web|date=2020-06-07|title=10 Orange County Choppers We're Not Impressed With (And 5 We Can't Stop Staring At)|url=https://www.hotcars.com/10-orange-county-choppers-were-not-impressed-with-and-5-we-cant-stop-staring-at/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=HotCars|language=en-US}}

On April 12, 2006, Marketwatch reported that GoDaddy.com, Inc., had hired Lehman Brothers to manage an initial stock offering that could raise more than $100 million and value the company at several times that amount.{{cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/go-daddy-plans-initial-public-offering-sources-say |title=Sources: Go Daddy is going public |date=April 12, 2006 |website=MarketWatch |access-date=March 25, 2022}} On May 12, 2006, GoDaddy filed an S-1 registration statement prior to an initial public offering.{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0517gr-godaddy0517Z12.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728144956/http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0517gr-godaddy0517Z12.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-28 |title=GoDaddy makes name for itself growing in Gilbert, going public |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=2006-05-17 |access-date=2009-04-20 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1362108/000089161806000217/f19665orsv1.htm |title=SEC FORM S-1: The GoDaddy Group, Inc. |publisher=SEC |date=2006-05-12 |access-date=2015-03-14}} On August 8, 2006, Bob Parsons, announced that he had withdrawn the company's IPO filing{{cite web|url=http://www.bobparsons.me/WhyIPOPulled.html |title=GoDaddy pulls its IPO filing! Why I decided to pull it|author=Bob Parsons |publisher=Bobparsons.me |access-date=2009-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430172413/http://www.bobparsons.me/WhyIPOPulled.html |archive-date=2009-04-30 }} due to "market uncertainties".{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/us/2006-08-09-ipo-usat_x.htm?csp=34 |title=IPO indigestion grows as GoDaddy balks|newspaper=USA Today |date=2006-10-08 |access-date=2009-12-29 | first=Matt | last=Krantz}}

In September 2010, GoDaddy put itself up for auction. GoDaddy called off the auction several weeks later, despite reports that bids exceeded the asking price of $1.5 billion to $2 billion.{{cite news |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2010/10/25/breaking-news-godaddycom-auction-is-scuttled/ |title=Breaking News: GoDaddy.com Auction Is Scuttled. |newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=2010-10-25 |access-date=2011-04-20 | first=Anupreeta| last=Das}} On June 24, 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported that private-equity firms KKR and Silver Lake Partners, along with a third investor, were nearing a deal to buy the company for between $2–2.5 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303339904576405610949743734 |title=GoDaddy Nears Sale to KKR|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=2011-06-24 |access-date=2011-06-24 | first=Anupreeta | last=Das}} On July 1, 2011, GoDaddy confirmed that KKR, Silver Lake Partners, and Technology Crossover Ventures had closed the deal. Although the purchase price was not officially announced it was reported to be $2.25 billion, for 65% of the company.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304584004576420372308902058?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=GoDaddy Bought By KKR, Others|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=July 2, 2011|first1=Anupreeta|last1=Das|first2=George|last2=Stahl}}

{{As of|December 2011}}, Bob Parsons stepped down as CEO into the role of Executive Chairman.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/20120730godaddys-warren-adelman-steps-down-from-ceo-post.html|title=Go Daddy's Warren Adelman steps down from CEO post|work=azcentral.com|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2020-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126080515/http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/20120730godaddys-warren-adelman-steps-down-from-ceo-post.html|url-status=dead}}

In March 2012, a class action lawsuit was filed against GoDaddy regarding private registration charges for services it advertises as free.{{cite web |title= GoDaddy Domain Registration Class Action Lawsuit |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/godaddy-domain-registration-class-action-lawsuit/ |publisher=topclassactions.com |date=2012-03-22 |access-date=2022-05-29}}

In June 2014, GoDaddy once again filed a $100 million IPO with the Security and Exchange Commission.{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1609711/000119312514230425/d728713ds1.htm |title=SEC FORM S-1: GoDaddy Inc. |publisher=SEC |date=2014-06-09 |access-date=2015-03-14}} The filing gave an inside look into GoDaddy's finances and showed that the company has not made a profit since 2009 and since 2012 has experienced a total loss of $531 million. Along with the IPO announcement, GoDaddy's founder Bob Parsons announced he is stepping down as Executive Chairman though he will remain on the board.{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/06/09/technology/godaddy-ipo/index.html |title=GoDaddy files for $100 million IPO|publisher=CNNMoney |date=2014-06-09 |access-date=2014-06-10}} CEO Blake Irving, joined GoDaddy on January 6, 2013 and served as chief executive officer before retiring on December 31, 2017.{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2017/08/22/godaddy-ceo-blake-irving-retire-scott-wagner |title=CEO Blake Irving To Retire|magazine=Fortune |date=2017-08-27 |access-date=2019-03-31}}

On April 1, 2015, GoDaddy had a successful IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, with the stock soaring 30% on the first day of trading.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/04/01/investing/godaddy-ipo-tech-danica-patrick/index.html|title=GoDaddy races onto Wall Street. Stock soars 30% after IPO|last=Egan|first=Matt|date=2015-04-01|website=CNN Money|access-date=2018-08-21}}

Scott W. Wagner (and former GoDaddy Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer) was appointed chief executive officer on December 31, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=27364913&privcapId=265777695|title=Executive Profile and Biography|website=Bloomberg|access-date=2019-03-31}} The newly appointed CEO Aman Bhutani has replaced the former CEO Scott W. Wagner and had assumed the charge of his duties from September 4, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://techobserver.in/2019/08/04/godaddy-appoints-former-expedia-president-aman-bhutani-as-new-ceo/|title=GoDaddy appoints former Expedia president Aman Bhutani as new CEO|date=2019-08-04|website=Tech Observer|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-07}}

{{Main|List of controversies involving GoDaddy|Bob_Parsons#Controversies}}

GoDaddy has been involved in several controversies related to unethical business practices and censorship.{{cite news |last=Poulsen |first=Kevin |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/01/godaddy-meet-no/ |title=GoDaddy, Meet NoDaddy | |department=Threat Level from Wired.com |publisher=Blog.wired.com |date=2007-01-29 |access-date=2009-04-20}}{{cite web|last=Greg|first=Kumparak|title=Cheezburger's Ben Huh: If GoDaddy Supports SOPA, We're Taking Our 1000+ Domains Elsewhere |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/12/22/cheezburgers-ben-huh-if-godaddy-supports-sopa-were-taking-our-1000-domains-elsewhere/ |work=TechCrunch|date=22 December 2011 |access-date=23 December 2011}}

On January 24, 2007, GoDaddy deactivated the domain of computer security site Seclists.org, taking 250,000 pages of security content offline.{{Cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1025-6153607.html |title=GoDaddy pulls security site after MySpace complaints |publisher=CNET |date=2007-01-25 |last=McCullagh |first=Declan |archive-date=2014-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230436/http://news.cnet.com/2100-1025-6153607.html}} The shutdown resulted from a complaint from MySpace to GoDaddy regarding 56,000 user names and passwords posted a week earlier to the full-disclosure mailing list and archived on the Seclists.org site as well as many other websites. Seclists.org administrator Gordon Lyon, who goes by the handle "Fyodor," provided logs to CNET showing GoDaddy de-activated the domain 52 seconds after leaving him a voicemail, and he had to go to great lengths to get the site reactivated. GoDaddy general counsel Christine Jones stated that GoDaddy's terms of service "reserves the right to terminate your access to the services at any time, without notice, for any reason whatsoever."{{cite web|url=http://www.godaddy.com/agreements/showdoc.aspx?pageid=CONSOLIDATE|title=Legal agreement|publisher=GoDaddy|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=January 27, 2012}} The site seclists.org is now hosted with Linode. The suspension of seclists.org led Lyon to create NoDaddy.com,{{cite web |url=http://nodaddy.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627205958/http://nodaddy.com/ |archive-date=2011-06-27 |title=Archived copy of NoDaddy.com}} a consumer activist website where dissatisfied GoDaddy customers and whistleblowers from GoDaddy's staff share their experiences.{{cite web|last=Newitz |first=Annalee |author-link=Annalee Newitz|url=http://www.alternet.org/story/47669/ |title=The Self-Appointed Censors of GoDaddy |publisher=AlterNet |date=2007-02-05 |access-date=2009-04-20}} On July 12, 2011, an article in The Register reported that, shortly after Bob Parsons' sale of GoDaddy, the company purchased gripe site No Daddy. The site had returned a top 5 result on Google for a search for GoDaddy.{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=james smith|url=http://heluxtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/godaddy-admits-domain-transfers-on-rise.html|title=GoDaddy admits domain transfers on rise|publisher=heluxtech|date=July 12, 2011|access-date=November 27, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Murphy |first=Kevin |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/12/godaddy_shuts_down_nodaddy/ |title=GoDaddy no-no means No Daddy is no-go |website=The Register |date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=December 23, 2011}}

On March 24, 2010,{{cite news |last1=Ellen Nakashima |first1=Cecilia Kang |title=In response to new rules, GoDaddy to stop registering domain names in China |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/24/AR2010032401543.html |access-date=23 March 2025 |work=washingtonpost.com |date=2010-03-24}} GoDaddy stopped registering .cn domains (China) due to the high amount of personal information that is required to register in that country. Some called it a public relations campaign since it closely followed Google's revolt in China.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100329231210/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/after-google-godaddy-pulls-out-of-china/112139-11.html?from=webx After Google, GoDaddy pulls out of China]. GoDaddy's top lawyer Christine Jones told Congress, "We were having to contact Chinese users to ask for their personal information and begrudgingly give it to Chinese authorities. We decided we didn't want to become an agent of the Chinese government."[https://www.wired.com/business/2010/03/godaddy-stops-selling-cn-domains-over-china-censorship-concerns/ Godaddy stops selling cn domains over china censorship concerns], Wired, March 2010

GoDaddy resumed registering .cn domain names in February 2016 as part of its push into the Asia market.{{cite web |title=GoDaddy reintroduces China's .Cn domain name |url=https://domainnamewire.com/2016/02/29/godaddy-china-cn/ |website=Domain Name Wire |access-date=8 June 2021 |date=2016-02-29}}

On January 27, 2015, GoDaddy released its Super Bowl ad on YouTube. Called "Journey Home", the commercial featured a Retriever puppy named Buddy who was bounced out of the back of a truck. After making a journey home his owners are relieved because they just sold him on a website they built with GoDaddy. GoDaddy claims the ad was supposed to be funny and an attempt to make fun of all the puppies shown in Super Bowl ads. Most notably, Budweiser's famous Super Bowl ad also featured a Retriever puppy.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/godaddy-2015-super-bowl-ad_n_6557548.html |title=– GoDaddy Pulls 2015 Super Bowl Ad After Slew Of Negative Feedback From Animal Advocates |work= Huffington Post |date= 2015-01-28|access-date=2015-01-27}} The ad found very few fans from the online community. Animal advocates took to social media calling the ad disgusting, callous, and accusing the commercial of advocating for puppy mills. An online petition collected 42,000 signatures.{{cite news|last1=Frankilin|first1=Dallas|title=GoDaddy pulls controversial Super Bowl puppy ad|url=http://kfor.com/2015/01/28/see-why-godaddy-pulled-their-puppy-super-bowl-ad/|access-date=8 October 2017|work=KFOR-TV|date=28 January 2015}}

GoDaddy's CEO, Blake Irving, wrote a blog entry later that day promising that the commercial would not air during the Super Bowl. He wrote on his blog "At the end of the day, our purpose at GoDaddy is to help small businesses around the world build a successful online presence. We hoped our ad would increase awareness of that cause. However, we underestimated the emotional response. And we heard that loud and clear." He goes on to say that Buddy was purchased from a reputable breeder and is part of the GoDaddy family as Chief Companion Officer.{{cite web|url=https://garage.godaddy.com/godaddy/message-received-loud-clear/ |title=– We're listening, message received |publisher= GoDaddy.org |access-date=2015-01-27}}

On December 11, 2011, rival domain name registrar Namecheap claimed that GoDaddy was in violation of ICANN rules by providing incomplete information in order to hinder the protest moves of domain names from GoDaddy to Namecheap,{{cite web |url=http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/12/26/namecheap.says.godaddy.breaking.icann.rules/ |title=Namecheap accuses GoDaddy of stalling anti-SOPA defections |publisher=Electronista |date=2011-12-26 |access-date=2013-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729050251/http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/12/26/namecheap.says.godaddy.breaking.icann.rules/ |archive-date=2013-07-29 |url-status=dead }} an accusation which GoDaddy denied, claiming that it was following its standard business practice to prevent WHOIS abuse. GoDaddy still maintains the strict policy of 60 days lock in inter-registrar domain transfers, if there is a change in registrant information. Many other registrars are giving an option for their customers to opt-out from this 60-day lock as per the ICANN Policy which states: "The Registrar must impose a 60-day inter-registrar transfer lock following a Change of Registrant, provided, however, that the Registrar may allow the Registered Name Holder to opt out of the 60-day inter-registrar transfer lock prior to any Change of Registrant request".{{Cite web |title=Transfer Policy |url=https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=ICANN}}

At this time GoDaddy does allow customers who update their domain contact information to opt out of the 60-day lock upon verification.{{cite web|url=https://thetechnologyvault.com/how-to-avoid-godaddys-60-day-domain-transfer-lock/|title=How to Avoid GoDaddy's 60-Day Domain Transfer Lock|publisher=TheTechnologyVault.com|date=2021-06-08}}

On December 22, 2011, a thread{{cite web|title=GoDaddy supports SOPA, I'm transferring 51 domains & suggesting a move your domain day|date=22 December 2011 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/nmnie/godaddy_supports_sopa_im_transferring_51_domains/|access-date=22 December 2011}} was started on the social news website Reddit, discussing the identity of supporters of the United States Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which included GoDaddy. GoDaddy subsequently released additional statements supporting SOPA. A boycott and transfer of domains were proposed. This quickly spread across the Internet, gained support, and was followed by a proposed Boycott GoDaddy Day on December 29, 2011.{{cite web|title=Boycott GoDaddy Over Their Support of SOPA|url=http://godaddyboycott.org|access-date=22 December 2011}} One strong supporter of this action was Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh, who threatened that the organization would remove over 1,000 domains from GoDaddy if they continued their support of SOPA. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales also announced that all Wikipedia domains would be moved away from GoDaddy as their position on SOPA was "unacceptable".{{cite tweet |last=Wales |first=Jimmy |user=jimmy_wales |number=150287579642740736 |date=23 December 2011 |title=I am proud to announce that the Wikipedia domain names will move away from GoDaddy. Their position on #sopa is unacceptable to us. |access-date= 13 January 2016}} After a brief campaign on Reddit, imgur owner Alan Schaaf transferred his domain from GoDaddy.{{cite web|last=Schaaf|first=Alan|title=Alan Schaaf Reddit post|date=23 December 2011 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/nnynm/imgurcom_is_with_godaddy_alan_schaaf_the_founder/c3al6ld|access-date=24 December 2011}}

GoDaddy pulled its support for SOPA on December 23, releasing a statement saying "GoDaddy will support it when and if the Internet community supports it."{{cite web|last=Lowensohn |first=Josh |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57347915-38/go-daddy-spanks-sopa-yanks-support/ |title=GoDaddy spanks SOPA, yanks support |publisher=CNET |date=2011-12-23 |archive-date=2011-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225062609/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57347915-38/go-daddy-spanks-sopa-yanks-support/}}{{cite web|url=http://www.godaddy.com/newscenter/release-view.aspx?news_item_id=378 |title=GoDaddy No Longer Supports SOPA |publisher=GoDaddy |access-date=December 23, 2011}} Later that day, CEO Warren Adelman could not commit to changing GoDaddy's position on the record in Congress when asked, but said "I'll take that back to our legislative guys, but I agree that's an important step."{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/12/23/godaddy-ceo-there-has-to-be-consensus-about-the-leadership-of-the-internet-community/|title=GoDaddy CEO: "There Has To Be Consensus About The Leadership Of The Internet Community"|last=Coldewey|first=Devin|date=23 December 2011 }} When pressed, he said "We're going to step back and let others take leadership roles." He felt that the public statement removing their support would be sufficient for now, though further steps would be considered. Further outrage was due to the fact that many Internet sites and domain registrars would be subject to shutdowns under SOPA, but GoDaddy is in a narrow class of exempted businesses that would have immunity, whereas many other domain operators would not.{{cite web|url=http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/sopa-hearing-will-never-end.php |title=SOPA Hearing Will Never End | TPM Idea Lab |first=Carl |last=Franzen |work=talkingpointsmemo.com |date=15 December 2011 |access-date=23 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228105355/http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/sopa-hearing-will-never-end.php |archive-date=28 December 2011 }}

By December 24, 2011, GoDaddy had lost 37,000 domains as a result of the boycott.{{cite news |last1=Peckham |first1=Matt |title=GoDaddy Boycott over SOPA Support Still On, Exodus Looms |url=https://techland.time.com/2011/12/29/godaddy-boycott-over-sopa-support-still-on-exodus-looms/ |access-date=1 September 2019 |agency=Time}} GoDaddy gained a net 20,748 domains.{{cite web|url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111230/01453717233/godaddy-boycott-fizzles-twice-as-many-domains-transfer-as-out.shtml|title=Godaddy Boycott Fizzles;Twice as many domains transfer in as out|date=30 December 2011 |publisher=Techdirt}}{{cite web|url=http://www.business2community.com/trends-news/godaddy-boycott-fizzles-and-may-work-in-companys-favor-0115027|title=GoDaddy Boycott Fizzles And May Work In Company's Favor|date=5 January 2012 |publisher=Business2Community}}

In December 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic pandemic and related economic crisis, the company conducted a phishing simulation by sending employees an email suggesting they were eligible for a $650 bonus. The message was part of a cybersecurity awareness test designed to educate staff on social engineering tactics. Employees who interacted with the email were informed they had failed the simulation and were directed to complete additional training. Following public criticism, the company issued an apology to employees, though no actual bonuses were distributed.{{Cite web|last=Sottek|first=T. C.|date=2020-12-24|title=GoDaddy wins our 2020 award for most evil company email|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/24/22199406/godaddy-wins-2020-stupidity-award|access-date=2020-12-24|website=The Verge|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=GoDaddy apologizes for 'insensitive' phishing email offering bonuses to employees|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/godaddy-apologizes-insensitive-phishing-email-bonuses-employees/|access-date=2020-12-26|website=CBS News|date=25 December 2020 |language=en-US}}

On January 11, 2021, the company deplatformed the web forum AR15.com following the U.S. Capitol attack.{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Times|title=Amazon partner GoDaddy boots gun site from its servers|author=Michael Lee | date=January 11, 2021|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/amazon-godaddy-boots-gun-site}} GoDaddy told Axios that the action was due to the site's failure to moderate content "that both promoted and encouraged violence."{{Cite web|last=Markay|first=Lachlan|date=13 January 2021|title="GOP digital operatives aim to avoid "deplatforming"|url=https://www.axios.com/gop-digital-operatives-technology-b58e0162-75a6-4626-b813-da5743231173.html|website=Axios}} The National Shooting Sports Foundation, in a message from its president, condemned what it called the "de-platforming of gun sites" as a "dark harbinger" for discussion of controversial issues and an "indiscriminate silencing of opinion and debate."{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=De-platforming of Gun Sites is a Dark Harbinger|url=https://www.nssf.org/articles/de-platforming-of-gun-sites-is-a-dark-harbinger/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=NSSF|language=en-US}}

In September 2021, the company canceled a contract with the pro-life group Texas Right to Life which was running a website encouraging whistleblowing of those who were breaking the Texas Heartbeat Act. Owned by the Texas Right to Life group, the website was used as a platform for the public to submit tips on suspected pregnancy terminations in Texas. In a statement to Ars Technica, Texas Right to Life Director of Media and Communication Kimberlyn Schwartz noted that, "We will not be silenced. If anti-Lifers want to take our website down, we'll put it back up."{{Cite web|title=GoDaddy Is Booting A Site That Sought Anonymous Tips About Texas Abortions|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/03/1034188184/texas-abortions-godaddy-website-anonymous-tips|access-date=2021-09-04|website=NPR|date=3 September 2021 |language=en|last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby }}{{Cite web|last=Hollister|first=Sean|date=2021-09-03|title=GoDaddy is cutting off Texas Right to Life's abortion 'whistleblowing' website|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/3/22656196/godaddy-texas-right-for-life-abortion-whistleblowing-site|access-date=2021-09-04|website=The Verge|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=GoDaddy kicks Texas abortion "whistleblower" website off its platform|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/godaddy-boots-texas-abortion-whistleblower-website|access-date=2021-09-04|website=TechRadar.com|language=en}}

On February 16, 2023, the company filed its compulsory annual 10-K report with the US SEC.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-20 |title=GoDaddy admits: Crooks hit us with malware, poisoned customer websites |url=https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2023/02/20/godaddy-admits-crooks-hit-us-with-malware-poisoned-customer-websites/ |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=Naked Security |language=en-US}} Under the sub-heading "Operational Risks," it revealed that the company suffered multiple data breaches in the last three years, which impacted more than one million GoDaddy customers.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-20 |title=GoDaddy suffered multi-year hacking attempts, compromised client data |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/budget-2020/godaddy-suffered-multi-year-hacking-attempts-compromised-client-data-1193069.html |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}

{{Portal|Arizona|Companies}}

• Domains by Proxy
• Move Your Domain Day
• Website
• Domain
• Hosting
• Google

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|GoDaddy}}

• {{Official website|https://www.godaddy.com}}

{{Finance links

| name = GoDaddy Inc.

| symbol = GDDY

| reuters = GDDY.O

| bloomberg = GDDY:US

| sec_cik = 1609711

| yahoo = GDDY

| google = GDDY:NYSE

}}

{{Coord|33.617409|-111.90477|region:US_type:landmark|display=title}}

{{WebManTools}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Certificate authorities

Category:Companies based in Tempe, Arizona

Category:Internet properties established in 1997

Category:1997 establishments in Arizona

Category:Domain name registrars

Category:Web hosting

Category:Silver Lake (investment firm) companies

Category:Kohlberg Kravis Roberts companies

Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange

Category:2015 initial public offerings

Category:GoDaddy