Internet service provider Yahoo! (yahoo.com) reportedly advertised domain names at a price of $4.98 for part of Tuesday. Google.com also listed Yahoo! domains at the $4.98 rate. The smallbusiness.yahoo.com page, however, was listing .com domains for $9.95 a year, according to Internet research firm Netcraft (netcraft.com).

Yahoo! explained that the promotional price of $4.98 is used to generate interest and build awareness of the company's services. The company runs one-day ads on Yahoo.com several times a month. Visitors have to respond quickly to receive the promotional pricing. If they visit after the promotions finish, they may pay the standard price of $9.95.

Other Web hosting providers have been offering targeted discounts. 1&1 Internet features regional pricing differences on its .com domains, varying from $5.99 on its US site to 8.89 pounds on its UK site.