All about Domains: Type of Domains, Domain registration status codes & Domain statuses

Let’s start with Domain names that come in various types and categories, each serving a specific purpose or indicating a particular type of organization or entity. Here are some different types of domain names:

1. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs):
   • Examples: .com, .org, .net, .info, .biz, .name
   • Meaning: gTLDs are the most common and generic domain extensions used for a wide range of websites, regardless of their purpose or location. .com is the most popular gTLD.
2. Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs):
   • Examples: .uk (United Kingdom), .ca (Canada), .au (Australia), .jp (Japan)
   • Meaning: ccTLDs are domain extensions specific to individual countries or territories. They are often used by entities located within or associated with the respective country.
3. Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs):
   • Examples: .gov (government), .edu (education), .mil (military), .int (international organizations)
   • Meaning: sTLDs are reserved for specific categories of organizations or institutions. For example, .gov is used exclusively by U.S. government entities, and .edu is reserved for accredited educational institutions.
4. Brand Top-Level Domains (Brand TLDs):
   • Examples: .apple, .google, .bmw
   • Meaning: Brand TLDs are domain extensions owned by specific brands or companies for their exclusive use. They provide a way for brands to have their own domain namespace.
5. Community Top-Level Domains:
   • Examples: .coop (cooperatives), .museum (museums), .aero (aviation industry)
   • Meaning: Community TLDs are intended for specific communities, industries, or interest groups. They often have eligibility requirements.
6. Infrastructure Top-Level Domains:
   • Examples: .arpa (Address and Routing Parameter Area)
   • Meaning: These TLDs are used for technical infrastructure purposes and are not typically available for public registration.
7. Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs):
   • Examples: .рф (Russia in Cyrillic), .中国 (China in Chinese characters)
   • Meaning: IDNs allow domain names to be written in non-Latin scripts, making the internet more accessible to non-English speakers.
8. Premium Domain Names:
   • Examples: Insurance.com, Hotels.com
   • Meaning: Premium domain names are highly sought-after and often contain generic, valuable keywords. They are typically sold at a premium price.
9. Exact Match Domains (EMDs):
   • Examples: BestPizzaNYC.com, CheapFlights.com
   • Meaning: EMDs contain keywords that precisely match a user’s search query. They are used to improve search engine ranking and relevance.
10. Subdomains:
    • Examples: blog.example.com, store.example.com
    • Meaning: Subdomains are extensions of a primary domain and are used to organize content or create separate sections of a website.
11. Placeholder or Vanity Domains:
    • Examples: example.com (used as a placeholder in documentation), example.net (used for demonstration purposes)
    • Meaning: Placeholder or vanity domains are often used in documentation or examples to illustrate concepts.

Now let’s learn Domain registration status codes, also known as domain status codes or domain status flags, are a set of codes used in the domain name registration system to indicate the status or condition of a domain name within the domain registry. These status codes provide information about whether a domain is active, pending, expired, or in some other state. Here are some common domain registration status codes and their meanings:

1. ACTIVE:
   • Meaning: The domain name is currently registered and active. It can resolve to a website or be used for email.
   • Use: This is the standard status for actively used domain names.
2. OK:
   • Meaning: Similar to “ACTIVE,” it indicates that the domain name is in good standing and can be used for its intended purpose.
   • Use: Often used interchangeably with “ACTIVE.”
3. REGISTRAR-HOLD:
   • Meaning: The domain has been placed on hold by the domain registrar, typically due to non-payment or other issues with the domain owner’s account.
   • Use: The domain owner needs to resolve the issue with the registrar to reactivate the domain.
4. PENDING DELETE:
   • Meaning: The domain has expired and is in a pending deletion state. It will be released for registration to the public after a certain period.
   • Use: Domain investors or anyone interested in the domain can try to register it once it becomes available.
5. REDEMPTIONPERIOD:
   • Meaning: The domain has passed its expiration date and is in a redemption period. It can still be renewed by the original owner, but at a higher cost.
   • Use: The original owner can attempt to recover the domain during this grace period.
6. CLIENTTRANSFERPROHIBITED:
   • Meaning: A client transfer prohibition has been placed on the domain, preventing it from being transferred to another registrar.
   • Use: Used as a security measure to prevent unauthorized transfers.
7. CLIENTDELETEPROHIBITED:
   • Meaning: A client delete prohibition has been placed on the domain, preventing it from being deleted or removed from the registry.
   • Use: Used as a security measure to prevent accidental deletion.
8. TRANSFERPERIOD:
   • Meaning: The domain is in a transfer period, typically following a successful transfer request. During this time, the domain cannot be transferred again.
   • Use: Ensures that a domain transfer is final and prevents unauthorized transfers.
9. SERVERUPDATEPROHIBITED:
   • Meaning: The domain cannot be updated or modified on the server. This status is often used for security reasons.
   • Use: Protects the domain from unauthorized changes.
10. SERVERTRANSFERPROHIBITED:
    • Meaning: Similar to “CLIENTTRANSFERPROHIBITED,” this status code indicates that the domain cannot be transferred to another server or registrar.
    • Use: Prevents unauthorized transfers to protect the domain’s ownership.

And now know these terms those are commonly used in the domain industry and are important to understand if you’re involved in domain registration, management, or investment.

1. Expired Domains:
   • Definition: Expired domains are domain names that were once registered by individuals or organizations but were not renewed before their expiration date. As a result, they become available for registration by anyone else.
   • Use: Expired domains can be valuable for various purposes, including building new websites, improving SEO, or reselling them for a profit.
2. Deleted Domains:
   • Definition: Deleted domains are domain names that have been fully removed from the domain registry and are available for registration by the public. These domains have passed the redemption period after expiration.
   • Use: Deleted domains are essentially “fresh” domain names that can be registered by anyone interested.
3. Parked Domains:
   • Definition: Parked domains are registered domain names that do not have an active website associated with them. Instead, a simple page (often containing ads) is displayed when someone visits the domain. Parked domains are typically used to monetize unused domain names temporarily.
   • Use: Domain owners park their domains to earn revenue from advertising or to hold the domain until they are ready to use it.
4. Domain Registrar:
   • Definition: A domain registrar is a company or organization accredited by a domain registry to sell and manage domain name registrations. They provide services for domain registration, renewal, and management.
   • Use: Domain registrars are used by individuals and businesses to register and maintain ownership of domain names.
5. Domain Registry:
   • Definition: A domain registry is an organization that manages and maintains the database of domain names for a specific top-level domain (TLD). Examples include Verisign for .com and .net domains and Nominet for .uk domains.
   • Use: Domain registries oversee the allocation and management of domain names within their TLDs, including the establishment of policies and pricing.
6. Redemption Period:
   • Definition: The redemption period is a grace period following the expiration of a domain name. During this period, the original registrant may have the opportunity to renew the domain at a higher cost, typically through their registrar.
   • Use: It allows domain owners to recover their expired domains, preventing them from being immediately released to the public.
7. Domain Dropcatching:
   • Definition: Domain dropcatching is the practice of registering a domain name as soon as it becomes available after its expiration, often using automated tools or services. It’s used to acquire valuable expired domains.
   • Use: Investors and domainers engage in dropcatching to acquire potentially lucrative domain names.
8. Domain Auction:
   • Definition: A domain auction is a marketplace where domain names are bought and sold through a competitive bidding process. Some expired domains are auctioned to the highest bidder.
   • Use: Domain auctions provide a platform for buyers and sellers to transact domain names, including those with desirable keywords or high SEO potential.

Few other important terms in the context of domain names, the terms “new domain,” “old domain,” and “renewed domain” refer to the different stages and statuses of domain name registration. Here’s what each term means:

1. New Domain:
   • Meaning: A new domain refers to a domain name that has recently been registered for the first time and has not been previously owned or used by anyone else. It’s a domain name that has just been created and is available for registration.
   • Use: New domains are typically chosen by individuals, businesses, or organizations to establish a web presence, create a website, or use for email addresses.
2. Old Domain:
   • Meaning: An old domain, also known as an “aged domain,” is a domain name that has been registered and actively used for an extended period. These domains have a history of ownership and usage.
   • Use: Old domains can have SEO benefits because search engines may consider them more trustworthy and authoritative due to their age and established presence on the internet. They are often sought after for their perceived value.
3. Renewed Domain:
   • Meaning: A renewed domain is a domain name that was registered in the past but was approaching its expiration date. The domain owner decided to extend the registration period by renewing it, ensuring that they retain ownership of the domain.
   • Use: Renewing a domain prevents it from becoming available for registration by others. It allows the domain owner to maintain their web presence, email addresses, and any associated content.

These terms are related to the lifecycle of a domain name:

• Registration: When a domain is initially registered, it becomes a new domain.
• Active Use: Over time, a new domain can become an old domain if it is actively used, and its registration is renewed.
• Expiration: If a domain is not renewed before its expiration date, it may become available for registration again, potentially by a new owner.

The choice between registering a new domain or acquiring an old one depends on various factors, including the availability of desired domain names, budget, and the specific goals of the domain owner or user. Old domains may have advantages in terms of SEO and branding, but they can also be more expensive to acquire.