Domain WHOIS
Registrar details, registration/expiry dates, nameservers and domain status.
What is the WHOIS protocol?
WHOIS is a network protocol that allows anyone to look up information about the registration of a domain name or IP address. This information is stored by registrars (domain registration companies) and is available through the WHOIS servers of the corresponding registry.
What information does WHOIS provide?
Registrar
The company through which the domain was registered — e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Papaki. Useful if you need to get in touch regarding a transfer or changes.
Registration and expiry dates
When the domain was first registered (Created) and when it expires (Expires). The expiry date is critical — if it passes without renewal, the domain may become available for registration by someone else.
Nameservers
The DNS servers that manage the domain's records. They change when the owner transfers DNS management to a new provider or switches hosting.
Domain Status Codes
Codes that show the current state of the domain — whether it can be transferred, deleted, or is under some kind of lock.
WHOIS Privacy and GDPR
Following the implementation of GDPR in Europe, many registrars hide the owner's personal details (name, email, phone number). Instead of real details, you see the privacy service's information. This does not mean the domain is anonymous — registrars retain the actual details and provide them to authorities upon request.
Domain Status Codes
clientTransferProhibited
The domain cannot be transferred to another registrar without removing this lock. It is the most common status and protects against unauthorised transfer.
serverHold
The domain has been suspended by the registry (usually due to non-payment or rule violation). DNS does not resolve.
pendingDelete
The domain is in the final stage before permanent deletion and re-availability. It cannot be renewed by the current owner.