Overview
- .cyou is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) in the Domain Name System.
- The string is marketed as the phrase "see you" and positioned for branding uses that play on that phrase.
History
- Introduced and delegated into the DNS in 2015 (delegation reports cite March 31, 2015; ICANN records show delegation implemented in early April 2015).
- Initially delegated to Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (the applicant, often referenced as "Cyou").
- Transferred to ShortDot SA (a Luxembourg company) on May 14, 2020; ShortDot SA is reported as the manager/registry for the string.
- Registrations: approximately 89,288 registered domains (per reported registry statistics cited on Wikipedia/ntldstats).
- DNSSEC: Yes (the zone is DNSSEC-enabled).
Usage and Audience
- Original applicant and early intent:
- Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (Cyou) applied for the gTLD to protect Changyou.com and Cyou.com trademarks and to provide a namespace for its entertainment and online game services.
- The applicant's original plan described a conservative, limited rollout focused on Corporate Internal Users (CIUs) affiliated with the company.
- Current positioning:
- The string is marketed for broader branding uses as "see you", and later operation opened up for public registrations.
- Typical audiences include brands, marketers, entertainment and community sites, or any registrant seeking a memorable, phrase-driven domain name.
Registration Rules
- Public registrations are available (Wikipedia infobox lists "Public registrations available").
- The original application described an initial plan to restrict registrations to a limited number of Corporate Internal Users, but operational policies evolved toward public availability.
SEO and Brand Impact
- Brand positioning: the gTLD is explicitly marketed as the phrase "see you", which supports memorable, conversational brand and marketing uses.
- Security: the zone is DNSSEC-enabled, which supports DNS integrity for domain holders.
Notable Cases or Examples
- Applicant and motivation: Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (Cyou) applied for the gTLD to protect related trademarks (Changyou.com, Cyou.com) and to create a trusted namespace for its services.
- Operational change: delegation and initial operation under the applicant were followed by an IANA-documented transfer to ShortDot SA in May 2020, after which ShortDot SA is reported to manage the TLD.
Operator
Shortdot SA
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object
domain: CYOU
organisation: Shortdot SA
address: 29 Boulevard de la Grande-Duchesse Charlotte
address: Luxembourg L-1331
address: Luxembourg
contact: administrative
name: Lars Jensen
organisation: Shortdot SA
address: 29 Boulevard de la Grande-Duchesse Charlotte
address: Luxembourg L-1331
address: Luxembourg
phone: +352621811103
fax-no: +35227862529
e-mail: sales@nic.icu
contact: technical
name: CTO
organisation: CentralNic
address: Saddlers House, 4th Floor
address: 44 Gutter Lane
address: London EC2V 6BR
address: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
phone: +44 20 33 88 0600
fax-no: +44 20 33 88 0601
e-mail: tld.ops@centralnic.com
nserver: A.NIC.CYOU 194.169.218.120 2001:67c:13cc:0:0:0:1:120
nserver: B.NIC.CYOU 185.24.64.120 2a04:2b00:13cc:0:0:0:1:120
nserver: C.NIC.CYOU 212.18.248.120 2a04:2b00:13ee:0:0:0:0:120
nserver: D.NIC.CYOU 212.18.249.120 2a04:2b00:13ff:0:0:0:0:120
ds-rdata: 19927 13 2 2079b2824eee39ec9ab51f32b199a6bcc68162ca56bd12c2740b8c800fc611c4
ds-rdata: 14103 13 2 579e60f99fbb5da7942ead76a5f2c5e5c2f7b6e7376d3d76363b6314c660dc28
whois: whois.nic.cyou
status: ACTIVE
remarks: Registration information: http://cy.changyou.com
created: 2015-03-19
changed: 2024-06-19
source: IANA
Registrars