Overview
- .xbox is a brand gTLD created under ICANN's New gTLD Program.
- The TLD is managed by Microsoft Corporation; the registry operator is listed as Verisign.
- The string was delegated to the DNS root zone on 04 June 2015.
- Intended purpose: to support and protect the Xbox gaming and entertainment brand.
History
- Microsoft applied for .xbox as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program (reveal day 13 June 2012).
- The application succeeded and .xbox was delegated to the root zone on 04 June 2015.
- Registry responsibilities are associated with Verisign while Microsoft is the brand manager/registry holder.
Usage and Audience
- The .xbox gTLD is intended to serve the Xbox ecosystem—Microsoft's gaming consoles, services and entertainment offerings.
- From the application materials: Xbox was launched in 2001 and later expanded with Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE. Xbox LIVE was reported in the application to have 35 million members worldwide (application-era figures).
- The registry's stated mission includes delivering secure communications, products, and services related to Xbox and its partners.
Registration Rules
- Registration of .xbox domain names is restricted to Microsoft Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
- All domains in the .xbox registry will be registered to Microsoft Corporation or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
SEO and Brand Impact
- As a brand-restricted gTLD owned by Microsoft, .xbox is positioned primarily as a tool for brand protection and controlled brand presence online.
- The registry's stated goals include providing a more secure and authentic experience for consumers and promoting the Xbox brand, which supports trust and clear brand signaling for official Xbox properties.
Operator
Microsoft Corporation
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object
domain: XBOX
organisation: Microsoft Corporation
address: One Microsoft Way
address: Redmond WA 98052
address: United States of America (the)
contact: administrative
name: Program Manager
organisation: Microsoft Corporation
address: One Microsoft Way
address: Redmond WA 98052
address: United States of America (the)
phone: +1 425-706-3546
fax-no: +1 425-457-2511
e-mail: registry@microsoft.com
contact: technical
name: TLD Registry Services Technical
organisation: Nominet
address: Minerva House, Edmund Halley Road, Oxford Science Park
address: Oxford OX4 4DQ
address: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
phone: +44 1865 332211
e-mail: registrytechnical@nominet.uk
nserver: DNS1.NIC.XBOX 213.248.219.134 2a01:618:403:0:0:0:0:134
nserver: DNS2.NIC.XBOX 103.49.83.134 2401:fd80:403:0:0:0:0:134
nserver: DNS3.NIC.XBOX 213.248.223.134 2a01:618:407:0:0:0:0:134
nserver: DNS4.NIC.XBOX 2401:fd80:407:0:0:0:0:134 43.230.51.134
nserver: DNSA.NIC.XBOX 156.154.100.3 2001:502:ad09:0:0:0:0:3
nserver: DNSB.NIC.XBOX 156.154.101.3 2001:502:2eda:0:0:0:0:3
nserver: DNSC.NIC.XBOX 156.154.102.3 2610:a1:1009:0:0:0:0:3
nserver: DNSD.NIC.XBOX 156.154.103.3 2610:a1:1010:0:0:0:0:3
ds-rdata: 48291 8 2 1189083bb85010770d8937e4bc2a2af6fc2c81f2eef8a53a7a2457709a53c362
ds-rdata: 43570 8 2 2c478092b86d62235c8a27bf365edda5c86167e1e9244a50526b735038e5dc26
whois:
status: ACTIVE
remarks: Registration information: http://www.microsoft.com
created: 2015-04-30
changed: 2025-05-01
source: IANA
