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Domain Due Diligence
Report for Indystar.com

Report Date November 30, 2025
Recommendation
Proceed
Overall Summary
Safe
Why we think so

IndyStar.com is a well-established news website based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with about 6.8 million monthly visits mostly from the U.S. It provides local news, weather, sports, and lifestyle content. The domain uses reputable technologies and advertising services, and its SSL certificate is valid and current. Whois details show the domain is registered with GoDaddy and is part of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. IndyStar holds a live trademark and operates a physical location in Indianapolis with active user engagement. Although user reviews show some complaints mainly about app functionality and ads, the site maintains high editorial credibility with Pulitzer Prizes and a clean fact-check record. There are no blacklist or scam warnings. Recent news and reports include coverage of scams, lawsuits, and local events, reflecting a trusted journalistic presence.

Confidence Score
85%

Risk Insights

📰

Trusted Local News Source

Well-known publisher in Indianapolis with 6.8M monthly visits
Physical office and legitimate business presence
Holds active USPTO trademark
✅

Clean Security Profile

Valid SSL certificate in place
No blacklists or scam flags detected
Reputable domain registrar and age support safety

Contradictory Signals

While the news outlet is credible, some users express dissatisfaction with mobile app usability and ads.

Signal A: Strong editorial reputation with Pulitzer Prizes

Signal B: Mixed user reviews on app experience and advertisements

Category Scores

Identity 90/100
Reputation 85/100
Technical 80/100
Content 85/100
Legal 90/100
Business Validity 85/100

Red Flags & Warnings

  • User reviews for the IndyStar app mention limited archive access for subscribers and heavy advertisement presence.

🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis

Domain Traffic and Reach

Score: 90/100
Passed

"Traffic rank is #11,364 globally and #2,299 in the US in the News and Media category."

Reason: The website has high monthly traffic (~6.8M visits) mainly from the United States, supporting legitimacy and strong presence.

Technology & Infrastructure

Score: 80/100
Passed

"Technology stack is consistent with professional news publishers and reflects investment in infrastructure."

Reason: Uses reputable analytics, ad tech, and marketing platforms such as Google Analytics, Adobe Audience Manager, and Amazon S3.

Domain Registration & SSL

Score: 90/100
Passed

"No indications of recent domain transfers or unusual registrar information."

Reason: Registered through GoDaddy with long domain age and valid SSL certificate issued by a trusted authority.

Brand & Trademark

Score: 80/100
Passed

"Trademark filed in 2025 with live status."

Reason: Active USPTO trademark registration for 'IndyStar' owned by Gannett Satellite Information Network supports brand authenticity.

Blacklist & Safety

Score: 90/100
Passed

"Clean safety records indicate low risk of fraudulent or malicious activity."

Reason: No listings on crypto scam blacklists or Google Safe Browsing threats detected.

User Feedback & Reputation

Score: 70/100
Passed

"Pulitzer Prize wins and positive media bias assessments bolster trust despite some user experience issues."

Reason: Some user complaints exist, mostly regarding mobile app ads and archive access; editorial credibility remains strong with awards and fact-checking.

Physical Presence and Engagement

Score: 85/100
Passed

"Reflects an active and legitimate publisher with local community presence."

Reason: Has established physical location in Indianapolis with business hours, phone contact, and active recent news postings.

Your Next Steps

  • 1
    Visit indystar.com directly to verify content and publisher information.
  • 2
    Use contact emails such as dbenbow@indystar.com or sports@indystar.com for inquiries.
  • 3
    Monitor news coverage and official announcements for updates on editorial or legal matters.
  • 4
    Exercise usual web browsing security best practices when engaging with online media sources.

Evidence & Citations

🕵🏻 Keep investigating

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