About .xihuan domain
The .xihuan domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated to the Root Zone in ICANN's New gTLD Program on 30 March 2016. The registry operator is QIHOO 360 TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., which applied for the string to preserve TLD resources for its existing and future businesses. It was intended to be offered as an identifier for a limited number of eligible registrants through the registry's services.
Who can register .xihuan domain
Registration for .xihuan domains is restricted. The registry operator, Qihoo 360, stated the TLD would be offered to a limited number of eligible registrants through its existing social network and link-sharing service. Eligible registrants were planned to include both 360 and non-360 users. The service was initially available only in mainland China.
How to register .xihuan domain
This TLD is not issued through standard commercial registrars. The registry operator, Qihoo 360, planned to allocate domain names through its own social network and link-sharing service. Registrations were intended to be bundled with applicable value-added services. The specific process for requesting a domain and the final allocation criteria were to be defined by the registry.
Typical uses of .xihuan domain
The .xihuan extension, meaning "like" in Chinese, was designed for use within Qihoo 360's social networking and link-sharing platform. Its primary use case was to serve as a dedicated identifier for users and content on this specific service, differentiating it from more open, generic extensions. The TLD was part of the company's strategy to integrate domain names directly into its consumer-facing web and mobile offerings.
Tips for registering .xihuan domain
- The TLD was planned to have restricted registration, limited to users of the registry's specific social network service.
- Domain registrations were intended to be bundled with value-added services offered by the registry operator.
- The initial launch was focused on mainland China, with plans for potential global expansion of the service.