What is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a protocol and database that maintains information about domain registrations. When you register a domain, your registration details are stored in the WHOIS database. This tool queries that database to retrieve and display publicly available domain information.
What Information Does WHOIS Show?
- Registrar: The company that registered the domain
- Registration Date: When the domain was first registered
- Last Updated: When WHOIS information was last modified
- Expiration Date: When the domain registration expires
- Nameservers: DNS servers handling the domain
Why Check WHOIS Information?
- Domain Research: Learn about competitor sites
- DNS Configuration: Verify nameserver setup
- Expiration Monitoring: Track domain renewal dates
- Troubleshooting: Debug DNS issues
- Verification: Confirm domain ownership
Understanding Nameservers
Nameservers are DNS servers that store DNS records for a domain. When someone visits your domain, their browser queries the nameservers to find your website's IP address. Most domains have at least 2 nameservers for redundancy. The nameservers shown in WHOIS data tell you which DNS provider manages the domain's DNS records.
Private vs. Public WHOIS
- Public WHOIS: Registrant information is publicly visible
- Private WHOIS: Contact info is masked with proxy details
- GDPR Protected: EU residents may have limited visible info