.directory

Overview

• .directory is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) created through ICANN's New gTLD Program.
• The string was proposed as an open TLD intended to provide "greater expression on the Internet" and to operate without pre-registration policies.
• The registry and sole applicant for .directory was Donuts (Extra Madison, LLC).

History

• .directory was applied for as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program (application revealed on 13 June 2012).
• Donuts received a Registry Agreement for .directory from ICANN on 23 September 2013.
• The .directory gTLD was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 19 November 2013.
• The registry announced a Sunrise period that began on 10 December 2013 and ended on 7 February 2014.

Usage and Audience

• The TLD was proposed as an open gTLD, intended to be available broadly rather than restricted to a specific community.
• The application describes the string as a means to provide greater online expression, implying general-purpose use by businesses, organizations, and individuals seeking descriptive directory-related names.

Registration Rules

• The registry stated an intent to operate .directory as an open TLD without pre-registration verification (i.e., no pre-registration eligibility checks).
• The operator committed to adhering to ICANN registration policies and to define remediation and takedown procedures to address abuse.
• Known lifecycle milestone: Sunrise period ran from 10 December 2013 to 7 February 2014.

SEO and Brand Impact

• .directory was positioned as an expressive, open gTLD intended for general use; the registry emphasized rights protections and abuse-control measures to support trust and brand safety for registrants.
• The TLD's branding and perceived trust will be influenced by registry policies, abuse mitigation, and adoption by registrants and directories.

% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       DIRECTORY

organisation: Binky Moon, LLC
address:      c/o Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         Vice President, Engineering
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldadmin@identity.digital

contact:      technical
name:         Senior Director, DNS Infrastructure Group
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldtech@identity.digital

nserver:      V0N0.NIC.DIRECTORY 2a01:8840:1e:0:0:0:0:11 65.22.28.11
nserver:      V0N1.NIC.DIRECTORY 2a01:8840:1f:0:0:0:0:11 65.22.29.11
nserver:      V0N2.NIC.DIRECTORY 2a01:8840:20:0:0:0:0:11 65.22.30.11
nserver:      V0N3.NIC.DIRECTORY 161.232.14.11 2a01:8840:f8:0:0:0:0:11
nserver:      V2N0.NIC.DIRECTORY 2a01:8840:21:0:0:0:0:11 65.22.31.11
nserver:      V2N1.NIC.DIRECTORY 161.232.15.11 2a01:8840:f9:0:0:0:0:11
ds-rdata:     59725 8 2 0d647c2701e4d9988d38939e1e372c77dbc0f76d21c8d2bd6e40a21fbd4441a3

whois:        whois.nic.directory

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: https://www.identity.digital/

created:      2013-11-13
changed:      2023-09-13
source:       IANA