Frequently Asked Questions

What is a TLD?

TLD stands for "Top-Level Domain." It is the last segment of a domain name in an internet address. TLDs are an essential part of the Domain Name System (DNS), which helps organize and categorize websites on the internet.

TLDs are categorized into two main types:

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs): These are the most common TLDs and have generic and open meanings. Examples of gTLDs include .com, .org, .net, .gov, and .edu. These TLDs are available for registration by anyone and are used for a wide variety of websites.
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): These TLDs are associated with specific countries or territories. They are typically two-letter codes, such as .us (United States), .uk (United Kingdom), and .ca (Canada). These TLDs are often subject to specific registration requirements or restrictions based on the rules of the respective country or territory.

In addition to gTLDs and ccTLDs, there are also newer categories of TLDs introduced in recent years, known as "new gTLDs." These include TLDs like .link and others, which were introduced to expand the available pool of domain names and provide more relevant use cases

A TLD like .link plays a crucial role in establishing brand trust and digital ownership, helping users navigate to trusted content.

What is a Registry Operator?

A registry operator such as Nova Registry, is a company responsible for managing and maintaining the database of domain names within a specific top-level domain (TLD) in our case, the .link TLD, on the internet. In the Domain Name System (DNS), the registry operator is a critical component that ensures the proper functioning and administration of domain names within a given TLD.

The responsibilities of a registry operator typically include:

Database Management: The registry operator maintains a centralized database that contains information about all domain names within its TLD. This includes the contact information of domain registrants, the nameservers associated with the domain, and other technical details.
Domain Registration and Renewal: Registry operators are responsible for accepting domain registrations, renewals, and transfers within their TLD. They may also define the registration policies and rules for their specific TLD.
DNS Management: Registry operators manage the authoritative nameservers for their TLD. These nameservers are responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites associated with those domains.
Policy Enforcement: Registry operators establish and enforce the policies and rules governing domain registrations in their TLD. These policies can include eligibility requirements, pricing structures, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Security and Stability: Ensuring the security and stability of the TLD is a critical responsibility. Registry operators work to prevent domain name abuse, DNS attacks, and other threats to the integrity of their TLD.
Compliance with ICANN: Many registry operators are subject to oversight by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and must adhere to ICANN's policies and regulations.
Technical Infrastructure: Registry operators must maintain the technical infrastructure necessary to support the TLD. This includes robust and redundant DNS systems, as well as systems for domain registration and management.

Registry operators are appointed by the organization that manages the TLD. For generic TLDs (gTLDs), such as .link and .com, this is typically overseen by ICANN. For country code TLDs (ccTLDs), the authority may be delegated to a government agency or other designated entity within the respective country.

Registry operators are an essential part of the domain name ecosystem, as they ensure the orderly and reliable functioning of domain names within their TLD and play a role in maintaining the overall stability and security of the internet.

What is a Registrar?

A domain name registrar is a company that is accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell and manage domain names on behalf of domain registrants. Registrars act as intermediaries between individuals or businesses (domain registrants) and the domain name registry for specific top-level domains (TLDs) such as the .link TLD

Registrars play a crucial role in making domain registration accessible to individuals and businesses. They offer a wide range of TLDs, help registrants choose suitable domain names, and simplify the process of acquiring and managing domain names. While domain registrants interact with registrars to obtain domain names, the registrars, in turn, interact with the domain registries to ensure that the domain names are properly registered and maintained in the DNS.

What is a Registrant?

A registrant, in the context of domain names, is an individual, organization, or entity that registers and holds ownership rights to a specific domain name. The registrant is the legal entity that has the authority and control over the domain name, and they are responsible for managing and maintaining the domain's registration.

Here are some key points about registrants:

Ownership: The registrant is the legal owner of the domain name and has the exclusive rights to use it for a specified period, typically through domain registration fees and renewals.
Contact Information: Registrants provide their contact information, including name, address, email, and phone number, during the domain registration process. This information is stored in the domain's WHOIS database and is publicly accessible, allowing others to contact the registrant.
Responsibilities: Registrants are responsible for ensuring that the domain registration remains up to date and for renewing the domain as needed to prevent it from expiring. They may also be responsible for managing the domain's DNS settings and content.
Transfer Rights: Registrants have the ability to transfer their domain name to another registrar or to another party, provided they follow the proper transfer procedures and meet any associated requirements.
Legal Obligations: Registrants are subject to the terms and conditions set by the domain registrar and the registry of the top-level domain (TLD) under which the domain is registered. These terms often include compliance with domain name registration policies and intellectual property rights.
Business or Personal Use: Registrants may be individuals who register domain names for personal websites or businesses that register domain names for their online presence. The use and purpose of the domain name can vary widely.
Renewal Responsibilities: To maintain ownership of a domain name, registrants must renew it periodically, usually on an annual basis. If a registrant fails to renew the domain, it may become available for registration by others.

Registrants play a crucial role in the domain name ecosystem, as they are the entities that choose and use domain names to establish an online presence. They are responsible for making sure that their domain names remain in good standing, adhere to applicable laws and regulations, and serve the intended purposes, whether those are websites, social profiles, branded links or other online services.

What are link-related products?"

"Link-generating" platforms refer to products that generate links enabling users to achieve their goals. These include:

Branded links
Managed links
Shortened link
Payment links
QR code links
Profile links.

Well known link-generating platforms include Rebrandly, Bitly, Wordpress.com and many others, which are used by individuals and brands to manage all the many links in their digital universe.

What is LTV?

LTV stands for "Lifetime Value." In various business contexts, especially in marketing and customer relationship management, LTV refers to the total projected revenue that a customer is expected to generate for a business over the entire duration of their relationship with that business.

The concept of LTV is important because it helps businesses understand the long-term value of acquiring and retaining customers. By calculating the lifetime value of a customer, a company can make more informed decisions regarding customer acquisition, marketing strategies, and customer retention efforts.

LTV is a valuable metric for businesses in subscription-based models, e-commerce, and other industries where customer relationships are ongoing. It helps companies allocate resources effectively, make decisions about customer acquisition and retention strategies, and assess the long-term impact of their marketing efforts.

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What our partners say

Carla BourqueCEO @ Rebrandly

As the global leader in branded link management solutions, Rebrandly’s partner strategy aligns well with .link as we redefine the market for link management. We are actively identifying and evaluating strategic relationships with partners and platforms that share our vision of digital innovation and commercial scale.

By combining the .link TLD and Rebrandly’s suite of link management tools, businesses of all sizes can effectively gain more users, better control their branding online, drive greater conversions and revenue, and accurately measure the performance of their linked assets.

Khori WhittakerExecutive Director @ ENS Labs

Nova Registry (.link) is a natural bridge between Web2 and Web3 so we were eager to work with them. We have found them to be highly collaborative, creative, professional, and categorically dedicated to doing the absolute right thing by their partners. It has been my great pleasure to have Vaughn and team as colleagues in this industry.

Michiko MiyazakiBusiness Division @ GMO

The word “link” is commonly used in Japan as an English word so the domain .link is very well received here, especially because it’s short and easy to remember.

We always love how Nova thinks outside the box. The domain industry can be a little mundane in terms of how we market the domains but it is very refreshing how they always find innovative solutions to new challenges no one ever thought of. It is an absolute pleasure to have such a partner to work with. We are confident that we can make this industry even more exciting together.

Kellie PetersonCEO @ LOGO.com

Vaughn and the entire .link team have prioritized win-win opportunities since the beginning. At every step of the journey they have shown a deep understanding of how registry – registrar partnerships must be beneficial to all parties in order to work and have done the research and leg work to surface a novel and exciting program. We’re looking forward to a long and beneficial working relationship.

Nikola BojkovCEO @ Feed.link

Nova Registry is the kind of partner everyone hopes for—always one step ahead, inspiring innovation, and consistently bringing extra value. They don’t just support their partners; they elevate them.

The adoption of .link domains has been a game-changer for us, doubling our conversion rates and enabling users to establish and own their digital presence with confidence.

Sam DennisCEO @ domain.link

The .link extension adds significant value to our brand. It reinforces our vision for customers to utilize domain.link, connecting domains with behaviors. The Nova Registry wants their clients to succeed and has provided connections for us above and beyond other firms using the .link extension.

Andrew MerriamCOO @ Porkbun.com

The .link team are professional and effective innovators. The entire domain name industry has watched as they have implemented partnerships that pair the unique strengths of .link with companies and technologies traditionally outside the typical domain sales channel. Their success is not solely a result of a great domain extension, which .link certainly is, but of their team and their shared vision to be anywhere a link is shared — which is everywhere!

Adam StoneCEO @ StartADAM

Partnering with Nova Registry (.link) has been instrumental in shaping StartADAM’s digital identity. Their support enabled us to acquire the memorable domain, a.link, which perfectly encapsulates our mission of linking people together: creating chat hubs as doors into companies. These a.link pages have become a pivotal aspect of our brand, serving as seamless connectors between businesses and clients. We are deeply thankful for Nova Registry’s commitment to innovative partnerships and their forward-thinking approach to business development and the domain industry as a whole.

Richard LauFounder @ Logo.com

We have worked with Nova (.link) on a primary partnership initiative for LOGO.com which saw them competing head on with a billion dollar competitor. The personal and professional approach they brought to the table along with their obvious enthusiasm, support and positive energy was the combination that made choosing their proposal the right choice. We are proud to be working together with them.

Kevin RahejaVP Partnerships @ Bitly

Partnering with .link has expanded our ability to provide best in class custom domains to our customers at Bitly. Customers can now connect .link domains to our entire Connections Platform suite to create custom short links, QR Codes and BitlySites which can now have .link domains.

Semiha Kocer Product Marketing Director @ WordPress.com

We’ve had a chance to build something truly unique with Nova (.link) based on a trusting partnership. Nova is truly dedicated to bring the web2 space to web3 with their investments and strategic thinking. Personally, I think this is a great business model to ensure each party brings their strongest assets to serve customers in creative ways.

Mihajlo NikodijevicCo-Founder & General Manager @ Tapni

Working with Nova Registry (.link) has been a fantastic experience. I appreciate the way they think big and always go the extra mile to make a personal connection with their partners.

Kyrylo MedvedievCOO & Founder @ HeyLink.me

Our experience with Nova Registry (.link) has been nothing short of exemplary. Their approach to business development and partnerships is underscored by a robust combination of professionalism, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to mutual growth.

In a world where the quality of connections defines our digital experience, Nova Registry and .link stand as paragons of innovation and collaborative achievement.
We always appreciate the transparency of communication and ability to align on common vision.

Eric BinnionHead of Web Engineering @ WordPress.com

Nova Registry (.link) is more than a partner. They bring us great ideas, ready-to-go campaigns, and spot opportunities in our business. They’re not just about business; they’re about building real friendships too.