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.

Nova Registry & TMCH Discuss Brand Protection and the Launch of New Premium .link Domains

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Sebastian K

How can your brand stand out, stay secure, and drive results in digital marketing? Vaughn Liley, General Manager of Nova Registry, joins Kenny and Donna from TMCH to discuss the power of branded links and the upcoming release of 600,000+ premium .link domain names on July 7.

Find out why .link is the TLD of choice for link management, how our partnership-first approach benefits TMCH agents and registrars, and how you can secure high-value names for your clients. Stay tuned for expert strategies, partnership opportunities, and a downloadable Marketing Guide to maximize your success in the new era of branded links.

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