.wtf

Overview

• .wtf is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) derived from the slang acronym "WTF" ("what the fuck?").
• It is operated by Donuts (Hidden Way, LLC) and is listed under Identity Digital in later records.
• The TLD is intended for expressive, pop-culture, editorial and informal use across languages and communities.
• DNSSEC is enabled for the zone.

History

• The .wtf application was submitted during ICANN's New gTLD Program (application revealed June 2012).
• The Government of Saudi Arabia filed an objection in 2012; the string also drew a GAC Early Warning (Australia).
• ICANN's Independent Objector reviewed the string and did not recommend objection on international law/free-speech grounds.
• Donuts received a signed Registry Agreement (6 March 2014) and .wtf was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 23 April 2014.
• Google indexed approximately 4,350,000 webpages under the .wtf domain (data point recorded in source material).

Usage and Audience

• Target audience:
  • Individuals and groups seeking informal, irreverent or ironic domain names.
  • Sites focused on commentary, critique, humor, skepticism and pop-culture expression.
• The applicant emphasized broad appeal, openness and secondary‑level name availability for a wide variety of registrants.

Registration Rules

• The registry's application and public statements commit to open registrations rather than eligibility‑based restrictions.
• Donuts stated it would not grant exclusive rights to entities or restrict access on the basis of identity alone, while implementing protections against abuse and trademark infringement.
• The applicant described an intent to balance open access with consumer protections and anti‑abuse measures.

SEO and Brand Impact

• The domain's origin in vulgar slang led to public and governmental objections and debate about offensiveness; ICANN processes considered those concerns but did not bar delegation.
• Despite controversy over the string, .wtf has significant indexed presence (millions of pages), indicating active use in search results.
• The TLD's informal and edgy connotation positions it for expressive or attention-grabbing branding rather than formal or corporate identities.

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

domain:       WTF

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.WTF 2a01:8840:16:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.20.7
nserver:      V0N1.NIC.WTF 2a01:8840:17:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.21.7
nserver:      V0N2.NIC.WTF 2a01:8840:18:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.22.7
nserver:      V0N3.NIC.WTF 161.232.10.7 2a01:8840:f4:0:0:0:0:7
nserver:      V2N0.NIC.WTF 2a01:8840:19:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.23.7
nserver:      V2N1.NIC.WTF 161.232.11.7 2a01:8840:f5:0:0:0:0:7
ds-rdata:     47461 8 2 a9f9582d8b0f154f7051751b8c2ab121231ccb2ae36ea6da9536439855bf9f0f

whois:        whois.nic.wtf

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

created:      2014-04-17
changed:      2023-09-13
source:       IANA