Generic top-level domainsDNSSEC
Overview
.nextdirect is a brand generic top-level domain (gTLD) created for Next plc and its Next direct home-shopping brand. Delegated through ICANN's New gTLD Program, the string is intended to provide an authoritative, brand‑controlled Internet space for Next, its affiliates and partners to communicate, market and deliver services.
Key points:
- Brand gTLD focused on the Next direct business and related activities.
- Intended as a restricted, controlled namespace to promote brand authenticity and reduce user confusion.
History
- Applied for under ICANN's New gTLD Program (application details available during the program's reveal period).
- Listed as delegated to the DNS root zone on 3 May 2016.
- Registry operator named in application materials as Next plc; the ICANNWiki infobox also lists Verisign in the registry field.
Usage and Audience
- Primary users: Next plc, Next direct (the company's home shopping arm), affiliated entities and authorized partners.
- Typical uses: marketing, sales, customer communication, and official online services meant to signal authenticity to consumers.
- Aimed at Next's large retail and online customer base (Next operates physical stores, a catalogue/home shopping arm, and e-commerce in multiple countries).
Registration Rules
- Operates as a restricted registry controlled by Next plc.
- Intended registrations: domains allocated by Next for its own use and for trusted affiliates/partners; second- and third-level labels may be used for marketing, sales and communications under Next's control.
- The registry model is designed to eliminate user confusion and provide assurance of brand authenticity; specific eligibility criteria, registration periods, and character rules were not detailed in the provided source.
SEO and Brand Impact
- Purpose-built to increase consumer trust and confidence in Next's online presence by signaling official, brand‑endorsed resources.
- Positioning emphasizes reduced phishing/risk of impersonation and clearer brand association for consumers engaging with Next online.
- As a brand gTLD, .nextdirect is intended primarily for brand management and trust rather than broad commercial SEO gains across unrelated parties.
Operator
Next plc
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server % for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org % This query returned 1 object domain: NEXTDIRECT organisation: Next plc address: Desford Road address: Enderby Leicestershire LE19 4AT address: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the) contact: administrative name: Head of Ecommerce organisation: Next plc address: Desford Road address: Enderby Leicestershire LE19 4AT address: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the) phone: +44 844 844 8888 e-mail: ngtld-nextdirect@cscinfo.com contact: technical name: Howard Eland, Senior Director, DNS Infrastructure Group organisation: Identity Digital Inc. 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: A0.NIC.NEXTDIRECT 2a01:8840:6e:0:0:0:0:63 65.22.112.63 nserver: A2.NIC.NEXTDIRECT 2a01:8840:71:0:0:0:0:63 65.22.115.63 nserver: B0.NIC.NEXTDIRECT 2a01:8840:6f:0:0:0:0:63 65.22.113.63 nserver: C0.NIC.NEXTDIRECT 2a01:8840:70:0:0:0:0:63 65.22.114.63 ds-rdata: 56221 8 2 345df818dfd28c7973070c5f0fcb467d1143c1ed05cb9f9837a3262ecced4538 whois: whois.nic.nextdirect status: ACTIVE remarks: Registration information: created: 2016-04-21 changed: 2023-08-11 source: IANA