.wiki

Overview

• .wiki is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) intended to denote websites that are wikis.
• The string was proposed under ICANN's New gTLD Program and was delegated to the DNS root zone in February 2014.
• The TLD was launched to create a designated Internet space for wiki sites and subject-matter collaborative projects.

History

• Application and delegation

  • Top Level Design submitted the application for .wiki in June 2012.
  • ICANN and Top Level Design signed a Registry Agreement on November 7, 2013.
  • The string was delegated to the root zone on February 19, 2014.

• Launch timeline

  • Sunrise period: March 3, 2014 to May 5, 2014 (trademark sunrise).
  • Landrush period: May 8, 2014 to May 22, 2014.
  • General availability to the public began in late May 2014 (general public availability cited as May 26/27, 2014).
  • More than 3,000 .wiki domains were reported registered on the first day of general availability.

• Registry changes

  • Top Level Design was the original registry operator.
  • In June 2023 the .wiki registry was transferred to GoDaddy Registry (Registry Services LLC, owned by GoDaddy).

Purpose

• The stated purpose of .wiki is to provide a designated Internet space for wikis, making it easier for users to find wiki sites relevant to specific interests.
• The registry indicated an open registration policy targeted at wiki owners and subject-matter wikis, with wholesale pricing positioned higher than some other gTLDs to encourage productive development and discourage abusive or irrelevant registrations.

Usage and Audience

• Primary audience

  • Wiki owners and communities seeking a clear namespace for collaborative, editable content.
  • Subject-matter wikis, hobbyist and brand-managed collaborative sites.

• Notable adopters and examples

  • The Wikimedia Foundation announced use of the w.wiki short domain as a URL shortener.
  • Early registrations included brands and organizations such as Apple, Weather Channel, Ericsson, Hallmark, and Chanel (reported during launch activity).
  • The string attracted thousands of registrations during launch and received attention from publishers and marketing analysts.

Registration Rules

• Eligibility and policy highlights

  • .wiki has an open registration policy targeted at wiki operators and community projects.
  • During the sunrise period registrations were limited to trademark holders; general registrations opened in late May 2014.
  • The registry stated there are no formal restrictions in the public registry information (restrictions listed as none).

• Periods and availability

  • Sunrise: March 3 to May 5, 2014.
  • Landrush: May 8 to May 22, 2014.
  • General availability: late May 2014 (May 26/27, 2014 reported).

SEO and Brand Impact

• Positioning and perception

  • .wiki was promoted as an intuitive, descriptive namespace that clearly signals wiki-style, collaborative content.
  • Registry messaging emphasized attracting productive, subject-focused wikis and deterring low-quality or parked sites through pricing strategy.

• Industry recognition and SEO notes from sources

  • ClickZ named .wiki one of the top 10 gTLDs to watch in 2014 for its collaborative potential.
  • Globe Runner's New gTLD SEO Power Rankings Index included .wiki among the Top 20 Best New gTLDs based on measured site quality.

Notable Cases or Examples

• Wikimedia Foundation

  • Wikimedia announced use of the w.wiki single-letter domain as a URL shortener.

• Registry transfer

  • The .wiki registry was transferred from Top Level Design to GoDaddy Registry in June 2023.

• Launch and adoption highlights

  • Over 3,000 registrations reported on the first day of general availability.
  • Early brand interest and registrations by major organizations were reported during the launch period.

• Additional registry actions

  • Top Level Design sought or supported requests related to two-character string unblocking for language codes as part of registry operations and the Registry Services Evaluation Process.

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

domain:       WIKI

organisation: Registry Services, LLC
address:      100 S. Mill Ave, Suite 1600
address:      Tempe AZ 85281
address:      United States of America (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         IANA Contact
organisation: GoDaddy Registry
address:      100 S. Mill Ave, Suite 1600
address:      Tempe AZ 85281
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1 480-505-8800
fax-no:       +1 480-624-2546
e-mail:       iana@registry.godaddy

contact:      technical
name:         IANA Contact
organisation: GoDaddy Registry
address:      100 S. Mill Ave, Suite 1600
address:      Tempe AZ 85281
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1 480-505-8800
fax-no:       +1 480-624-2546
e-mail:       iana@registry.godaddy

nserver:      A.NIC.WIKI 2001:dcd:1:0:0:0:0:10 37.209.192.10
nserver:      B.NIC.WIKI 2001:dcd:2:0:0:0:0:10 37.209.194.10
nserver:      C.NIC.WIKI 2001:dcd:3:0:0:0:0:10 37.209.196.10
nserver:      X.NIC.WIKI 156.154.172.82 2610:a1:1074:0:0:0:1:82
nserver:      Y.NIC.WIKI 156.154.173.82 2610:a1:1075:0:0:0:1:82
nserver:      Z.NIC.WIKI 156.154.174.82 2610:a1:1076:0:0:0:1:82
ds-rdata:     27157 8 2 c72478a4986a5330fb21a2e427823553131d70c399ddbcfedee395103ca8543d

whois:        whois.nic.wiki

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: http://nic.wiki

created:      2014-02-06
changed:      2024-04-17
source:       IANA