Definition

WHOIS is the public protocol and database that provides registration information for a domain name: registrant, registrar, registration and expiration dates, technical and administrative contacts.

What it is used for

• Identify the legitimate owner of a domain
• Prepare a UDRP action in case of cybersquatting
• Check expiration before a purchase or negotiation
• Audit your own domain portfolio

Recent evolution

Since the GDPR came into force in 2018, registrant personal data is largely masked in public WHOIS. ICANN has rolled out RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) as the standardised successor, more privacy-friendly and more structured.

Best practices

• Keep WHOIS data up to date to avoid blocks
• Use a WHOIS proxy service for sensitive domains
• Watch WHOIS changes on strategic domains (monitoring)