Reglikedomain industry desk

Counts are falling. Here’s why — Total domain

Counts are falling. Here’s why — Total domain

.Com is doing fine, but the same can’t be stated for other top level domains.

Red arrow trending down and to the right on a blue background

Verisign (NASDAQ: VRSN) has published its quarterly Domain Name Industry Brief (pdf) for the first quarter of 2021.

The firm calculates that total domains registered across all extensions fell 2.8 million, or 0.8%, since the end of 2020. Total domains fell 3.3 million, or 0.9%, compared to the first quarter of 2020.

This might come as a shock to people who have heard regarding exploding growth in domains during the pandemic and with Verisign raising its guidance for the year.

While .com continues to grow at a steady clip, total country code (ccTLDs) and fresh top level domains have fallen.

Verisign figures the total base of ccTLDs fell 1.5% compared to the end of last year and 0.6% compared to a year ago.

The biggest fall has been in fresh top level domains, which have plummeted 29.3% over the past year and 12.3% in the last quarter. This has to do with a handful of top level domain operators halting or reducing low-cost registration promotions.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

Q&A: NamesCon’s fresh owners explain what to expect as event moves to MiamiUncategorizedQ&A: NamesCon’s fresh owners explain what to expect as event moves to MiamiRick Latona Most Influential in Domain Industry: SurveyUncategorizedRick Latona Most Influential in Domain Industry: SurveyTUncategorizedThis license plate email reminds me of fresh domain namesAUncategorizedAdvertisingTUncategorizedTo bundle feedback platform with domain names — .Feedback plansIs changing. It’s time to adapt your strategy — Domain investingUncategorizedIs changing. It’s time to adapt your strategy — Domain investingChoice of domain for email notification — Marriott’s poorUncategorizedChoice of domain for email notification — Marriott’s poorBUncategorizedBrings more attention to Whois privacy — Sean SpicerIUncategorizedIs 3-D Really Dead?