Anyone use private domain registration services?

What is your experience and opinion?

[Shiznaught]

I haven't really looked into private registration, and I remember reading a thread somewhere about SEO implications of such practice.

Is anyone using <snip> private domain registration services?

What is your opinion of <such service> and the practice of private registration?

[edited by: Webwork at 9:33 pm (utc) on Nov. 11, 2006]
[edit reason] Charter [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[Webwork]

Many websites employ private registration. There are good reasons and bad reasons for employing privacy.

You may notice, as I have, that there are websites that rank for certain KWP that employ privacy. They could just as easily rank and have a WhoIs that contains bogus or erroneus or outdated data. That suggests there are other factors - not just the use of privacy - that result in penalties.

[srmn8tr]

I have nearly 160 domains, all with privacy. Some of my domains are in the top 5 and top 10 for searches with xx,#*$!,#*$! results. Whois privacy is not just for SEO's; it's also for people who just want to protect their information, especially small businesses who use their home for their business address. I don't believe search engines will be penalizing for whois privacy any time soon.

The reason I use whois privacy is more to prevent competitors from "reverse-engineering" my SEO strategies and tactics. I currently use six different companies which offer registration and privacy for less than $10/month, and I'm happy with each of them.

Jim