What is .author?
.author entered the DNS root zone on December 5, 2015, 10 years ago. It came out of ICANN's New gTLD Program, the 2012 application round that grew the root from 22 generic TLDs to well over a thousand.
Amazon Registry Services, Inc. operates a large portfolio of 51 TLDs, including .amazon, .audible, .book, .bot and .buy.
On the technical side, .author is served by 8 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .author, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP.
Same registry, other endings
50 other TLDs share this operator.
.author FAQ
What does .author mean?
.author is a generic top-level domain named for the word "author", and it's aimed at creative & design. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .author used for?
.author is mostly used for creative & design. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .author?
None. .author is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .author domain extension?
Amazon Registry Services, Inc. operates .author as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .author created?
.author was delegated to the DNS root zone on December 5, 2015.
Is .author a valid domain?
Yes. .author is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2015, so .author addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .author domain?
.author names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Amazon Registry Services, Inc.'s policy if you're unsure.
Is .author DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .author.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed February 14, 2025. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
