Built for the network
.net was one of the first generic TLDs, created in January 1985 for the organizations that ran networks — internet service providers, infrastructure companies and the like. It was never formally restricted, and over time it became the go-to fallback when the .com was taken.
Verisign operates .net alongside .com. It's still a respectable, well-understood ending, especially for technical services, but it won't stop customers from typing .com first.
Good for
- Infrastructure, hosting and network services
- Technical products and internal platforms
- Protecting your brand alongside the .com
Watch out for
- Visitors default to .com — make sure you control both
.net by the numbers
.net stands for "network". It's a generic top-level domain (gTLD). VeriSign, Inc. runs the registry under a contract with ICANN.
.net is one of the older generic TLDs: ICANN records its delegation as January 1, 1985, long before the 2012 expansion.
VeriSign, Inc. also runs 5 other TLDs, including .com, .comsec, .name, .verisign and .web.
On the technical side, .net is served by 13 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .net, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP and WHOIS (the WHOIS server is whois.verisign-grs.com).
Same registry, other endings
5 other TLDs share this operator.
.net vs other endings
.net FAQ
What does .net stand for?
Network. It was created in 1985 for organizations involved in networking technology, like internet service providers.
Who runs .net?
Verisign, which also operates .com.
What country is .net?
None. .net is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .net domain extension?
VeriSign, Inc. operates .net as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .net created?
.net was delegated to the DNS root zone on January 1, 1985.
Is .net a valid domain?
Yes. .net is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 1985, so .net addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .net domain?
.net names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read VeriSign, Inc.'s policy if you're unsure.
Is .net DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .net.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed October 21, 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
