WHOIS Domain Lookup

Find out who owns a website.

Is the domain name you want taken? Harness the power of AI to find the perfect alternative domain name for you.

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While we negotiate your identity stays anonymous, so you won’t overpay and your plans won’t be revealed. After the sale, we discreetly and securely transfer the domain.

About GoDaddy WHOIS Search

What we can do for you.

GoDaddy WHOIS search is designed to help you by diving into the WHOIS database for information on domain registration and availability. It'll also provide you the owner, administrator and contact information, as well as other important information.

Domain Privacy

Want your personal info protected in the WHOIS directory?

GoDaddy domains include free domain privacy** to guard your personal info by replacing it with proxy info in the public WHOIS directory. We also prevent spam with private email for domain inquiries.

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Check a domain name's availability

If you want to know the availability of a domain name, simply type the name into GoDaddy's WHOIS search field and we'll let you know if the domain is available, or not.

Find a domain owner

Whether you want to buy a domain or learn who owns it, use our WHOIS search field. Enter the domain name and you'll get key info, including availability, ownership, creation, and expiration.

Learn when a domain will expire

If you want to buy a domain, knowing when it expires is helpful. As the date approaches the owner may want to sell, or better yet, let it expire — and you're right there to scoop it up.

Domain Broker Service

Get the domain you really want, even if it's already owned.

That perfect domain you want — that's taken by someone else — could still be yours. A GoDaddy broker can work with the domain name registry to find and negotiate with the current owner to get the name for you.

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FAQ

Who owns a domain name?

A domain name can be legally owned or held by any person, entity or organization, also known as domain registrant, who must keep registration fees up-to-date and contact details current in WHOIS database.

What is the WHOIS database?

The WHOIS domain database is a listing of all registered domains with the contact details of their corresponding owners. It is regularly used for various legal purposes. Network administrators use the WHOIS lookup to identify and fix problems. For instance, WHOIS information can be used to check domain name availability, identify trademark infringement, and keep domain name registrants accountable.

WHOIS verification can even be utilized to combat spam or fraud, as administrators can track down registrants who post illegal content or participate in phishing scams. In addition, the agreements from the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) protects domain registrants by prohibiting the use of WHOIS listings for marketing or spam purposes, including high-volume, automated queries against a specific registrar or registry system (unless such queries are done with the intent to manage domain names).

How do I use the WHOIS Lookup Tool?

To use the GoDaddy WHOIS lookup tool, just enter the domain name whose information you’d like to view into the search field on the WHOIS main page. You can retrieve key data about a domain in this way, including availability, domain owner lookup, and creation and expiration details. If you own multiple domains of your own, it can be helpful to download exportable lists from the tool in order to analyze large amounts of domains data.

How accurate is WHOIS data?

ICANN provides guidelines designed to keep the WHOIS database as accurate as possible. Since registrants’ contact data can change, registrars such as GoDaddy must provide annual opportunities for domain owners to review and edit their WHOIS domain data. According to ICANN’s rules, refusing to update this information or providing false data can lead to the suspension or cancellation of domains.

In addition, ICANN allows internet users to file complaints if they discover WHOIS domain name lookup data that is incorrect or incomplete. In such instances, registrars must correct and verify the data in a timely manner. Through this verification protocol, ICANN seeks to maintain the highest possible level of accuracy.

How do I update my WHOIS information?

You can update your WHOIS contact information in the Domain Manager of your GoDaddy account. It only takes a few simple steps, and you can update all your contacts at once, or just one at a time. It’s important to always keep your contact information up to date, both to comply with ICANN regulations and to make certain you’re receiving WHOIS correspondence at the correct email address.

Who’s in charge of the WHOIS database?

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is in charge of all things related to a WHOIS lookup. The organization launched in 1998 because the internet had grown to a point where a formal organization was necessary to handle all the maintenance and procedures involved with keeping the world online.

As of 2016, ICANN operates the WHOIS check free of oversight by any country and today exists as nonprofit corporation based in Los Angeles. ICANN is managed by a 16-member board with representation from all over the world. ICANN also receives input from numerous internet-related organizations, such as communications providers.

Why is it necessary to have a WHOIS database?

The ability to find domain info quickly and accurately is important for a couple main reasons:

1. A WHOIS check is essential for people in the business of buying and selling domains. These individuals (called “domainers”) need a method of communication for their transactions. A WHOIS search will provide one or more methods for reaching the current owner of a web address.

2. The WHOIS database is a way to maintain accountability for people who operate online. For example, if you felt someone was using your trademarks on their website, the WHOIS database provides a number of ways to resolve that dispute.