Domain Registration
The lifecycle of a domain name — registration, transfer, renewal, and expiration.
Domain Registration
The process of reserving a domain name for a specified period through a registrar.
Domain Registrar
ICANN-accredited organization authorized to sell domain name registrations.
Registrant
Individual or organization that has registered and holds rights to a domain name.
WHOIS
Protocol for querying domain registration information including ownership and dates.
WHOIS Privacy
Service that masks a registrant's personal information in WHOIS records.
Registration Period
The length of time (1-10 years) for which a domain name is registered.
Domain Renewal
Process of extending a domain's registration before expiration.
Domain Transfer
Moving a domain's management from one registrar to another.
EPP Code (Auth Code)
Unique authorization code required to transfer a domain between registrars.
Grace Period
Time window after expiration during which a domain can be renewed at normal price.
Redemption Period
30-day period after grace period where a domain can be recovered at a higher fee.
Expired Domain
Domain name whose registration was not renewed and may become available.
Domain Lock
Security feature preventing unauthorized domain transfers.
Auto-Renewal
Registrar feature that automatically renews a domain before expiration.
Registrar Accreditation
ICANN's formal certification process authorizing an organization to sell domain registrations.
Thick vs Thin WHOIS
Two WHOIS data models: thin stores only technical data at the registry; thick centralizes all contact data.
Domain Reseller
Company that sells domain registrations on behalf of an accredited registrar without its own ICANN accreditation.
Pending Delete
Final 5-day deletion phase after which a domain is released for anyone to register.
Add Grace Period (AGP)
5-day window after registration during which a registrar can delete a domain for a full registry fee refund.
Transfer Lock (60-Day Lock)
Mandatory 60-day ban on outbound domain transfers after initial registration or a completed transfer.
Domain Tasting
Exploiting the Add Grace Period to register and delete domains at no cost to test traffic potential.
Domain Kiting
Cycling a domain through repeated AGP deletions and re-registrations to control it indefinitely without paying fees.
Registrar Abuse Contact
Mandatory public email and phone contact for reporting domain abuse to an ICANN-accredited registrar.
WHOIS Rate Limiting
Anti-abuse restriction limiting the number of WHOIS queries from a single source within a time window.