There are multiple platforms where domains are available for purchase, but how exactly did these platforms obtain the domains in the first place?
Domain name registrars obtain domains through a process called domain registration. They are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell and manage domain names. When someone registers a domain, they pay a fee to the registrar, who then reserves the domain on their behalf.
The registrar maintains a database of registered domain names and manages the technical aspects of the domain, such as DNS configuration and renewal reminders. Registrars often purchase domains from domain resellers or acquire them through auctions or aftermarket sales.
ICANN is responsible for coordinating the allocation of IP addresses and managing the number resources required to operate the internet. It also plays a role in defining standards and protocols that enable the functioning of the internet.
ICANN operates through a multi-stakeholder model, involving stakeholders from governments, businesses, civil society, academia, and technical communities worldwide. Its decision-making processes aim to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and accountability.
The type of website that sells the domain determines everything:
Registrar sites are authorized companies that register and renew domain names. They allow you to register a unique name and extend its registration period.
Registrar partner sites are smaller companies that collaborate with registrars. They function as dealers, providing the option to register and later renew a name.
Domain name auctions are platforms where previously registered domain names can be sold. Individuals who want to sell their registered domain participate in these auctions. Both registrar websites and third-party sites host these auctions.
To determine if a domain name is available, you can use the Whois service.
There are typically two methods:
When referring to a sizable registrar, they generally acquire a domain from ICANN (the Corporation for the Management of Domain Names and IP Addresses), which is essentially the final authority in managing domain names.
When discussing smaller registrars, they sometimes resell domains bought from larger registrars or obtain the opportunity to sell on their own behalf through a partnership with a larger registrar.
In both scenarios, there are also numerous individuals who have purchased domains under their own names and can resell them privately or through the aforementioned registrars. This provides the latter with an additional avenue for acquiring domains to sell.
Domain platforms obtain domains through a process called domain registration. When someone wants to register a new domain, they can do so through a domain registrar, which is a company authorized to sell and manage domains. These registrars have partnerships with domain registries, organizations that oversee the allocation and management of domain names at a higher level.
When a domain is registered, it is added to the registry's database, making it officially recognized and available for use. Domain platforms work with various registrars and registries to acquire domains and offer them for sale on their platform. They also often provide additional services like domain hosting, transfers, and management tools to make it easier for individuals and businesses to buy and maintain their domains.
To elaborate further, domain platforms typically have agreements with multiple domain registrars to access and offer a wide range of domain names to their customers. These registrars act as intermediaries between the domain platform and the domain registries.
Domain registries are responsible for managing specific top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .org, .net, and country-specific TLDs like .uk or .fr. They maintain databases containing information about registered domains under their TLDs. Accredited registrars have the authority to register domain names directly with the appropriate registries.
Domain platforms, as intermediaries, collaborate with registrars to gain access to the domain registration system operated by the registry. Through this partnership, they can offer a selection of available domains to individuals and businesses looking to purchase them.
Domain platforms may also acquire domains through various means, such as purchasing expired domains or participating in domain auctions. Expired domains are those that were previously registered but not renewed by the owner, making them available for others to acquire. Domain platforms may acquire these expired domains and list them for sale on their platform.
Furthermore, domain platforms sometimes hold private auctions where domain owners can sell their domains to interested buyers. In these auctions, domain platforms facilitate the buying and selling process.
Domain platforms can also acquire domains through other means such as domain marketplaces or by purchasing portfolios of domain names from individuals or companies. Domain marketplaces are platforms where individuals and businesses can list their domains for sale. Domain platforms may browse these marketplaces and acquire domains that align with their offerings.
Additionally, domain platforms sometimes enter into agreements with individuals or companies that own a large number of valuable domain names. These domain owners may choose to sell their domain portfolios, and domain platforms may acquire these portfolios to expand their inventory. This allows the platform to offer a wider range of domains to potential buyers.
It's worth noting that domain platforms do not necessarily own all the domains they list. Instead, they act as intermediaries, facilitating the transaction between the buyer and the seller. Once a domain is purchased on the platform, the ownership is transferred to the buyer, and the domain platform assists with the technical aspects of the transfer.
In summary, domain platforms obtain domains through partnerships with registrars, collaborations with domain registries, participation in auctions, purchasing expired domains, engaging with domain marketplaces, and acquiring domain portfolios from individuals or companies. These various methods enable domain platforms to provide a diverse selection of domain names for purchase on their platforms.
I can argue that some domain platforms engage in questionable practices to obtain domains. For example, some may use domain front running, where they register domains that are similar to popular ones, in an attempt to sell them to unsuspecting customers.
Others may engage in domain warehousing, where they register large numbers of domains with the intention of selling them at inflated prices. These practices can be seen as a form of domain speculation, and can be detrimental to the overall health of the domain market.