Blog Articles
What is a reserved domain?
Did you know that even if you wanted to register example.com, you can’t? No one can. This isn’t a system bug—it’s the registry enforcing rules that intentionally block certain domains from being registered. These are called reserved domains. When you search for a domain, the registrar (e.g., OpenSRS) queries the registry (e.g., Verisign for .com) […]
ICANN83 policy recap
The ICANN83 meeting in Prague, Czechia, brought the Community together for four days of policy-focused sessions. Contrasted with other ICANN meetings, which include a Public Forum, Annual General Meeting for the Board, and other more business-oriented sessions, the Policy forum centers on current policy and implementation work, so it’s usually the most jam-packed for the […]
What is Whois?
“Whois” can be difficult to define as it is both a protocol and a broader system of services and databases that provide responses to queries about domain name registrations. By performing a Whois search for a domain, you can find its basic information, including when it was registered, which registrar it’s registered with, and often, […]
What is domain security—and why does it matter to your customers?
Your domain name is more than just a web address—it’s the digital front door to your business, a core component of your brand identity, and a channel through which customers connect with your products and services. As the Internet evolves, so do the threats that can compromise this vital asset. From phishing and cybersquatting to […]
Tiered Access update: Reviewing “urgent” requests and updated statistics
The lead-up to ICANN83, which will be held next week in Prague, feels much shorter than usual, as ICANN-accredited registrars and registries just held our Contracted Parties Summit in early May. This was a useful series of working sessions and discussions. Most focused around operational issues—especially addressing DNS Abuse—but another topic came up in conversations […]
What are gTLDs and ccTLDs?
Whether you’re launching a business, starting a blog, or kicking off a side project, your domain extension matters more than you think. In this article, we’ll break down what gTLDs and ccTLDs are, how they work, and which one might be the best fit for your needs. The basics of domain names Every website has […]
What is Premium DNS?
Our earlier guide explored DNS and why proper management is essential. Now, we’re taking it a step further by looking at Premium DNS. Premium DNS is a paid upgrade to basic DNS services that typically includes enhanced infrastructure, faster response times, and stronger security—though the exact features may vary by provider. When you visit a […]
Driving growth with service packages: a 2025 guide for agencies using OpenSRS
To successfully and sustainably scale your agency, you need to offer your clients real value while streamlining your process and defending against scope creep. One of the most effective ways to do this is by bundling services together in thoughtfully curated packages designed to meet the needs of your existing and target clients. When done […]
ICANN82 Recap
ICANN82 was hosted in Seattle, which is lovely in mid-March. The crisp Pacific Northwest coast offers beautiful views and Seattle has a whole “underground city”—it’s well worth a visit. ICANN’s new CEO Kurtis Lindqvist participated throughout the week-long meeting. With his technical background and pragmatic approach, Kurtis offers more than 30 years of experience (and […]
What are DNS management services?
Imagine trying to access a website, but instead of typing in an easy-to-remember domain name, like example.com, you had to enter a long series of numbers, like 198.51.100.45. Thanks to the Domain Name System (DNS), you don’t have to. DNS is the infrastructure that translates user-friendly domain names into numerical IP addresses that computers understand. […]
