How can I find out when a domain name was created?
How can I find out when a domain name was created?
The date on which a domain name is created is an essential piece of information for many internet users. It allows you to know the age of a site, so you can identify and understand its stability and credibility. But how do we find this information accurately? There are several ways of doing this, including using specialised tools such as WHOIS, commands via your terminal, and exploring other sources of information associated with domain names.
Why is it important to know when a domain name was created?
Knowing the date a domain name was created can be useful for assessing the credibility and reliability of a website. An older domain is often perceived as more reliable because it has stood the test of time. It is also more likely to have a good ranking in search engines. This can also help you determine whether a domain name is about to expire and whether it is time to renew.
What’s more, if you are carrying out a domain purchase or commercial transaction, this information is crucial for assessing the value of the domain. An old domain with its own history and good SEO performance will be much more attractive than a new domain without any history.
Use the WHOIS tool
One of the most common and simple ways to get information about a domain name, including when it was created, is to use a WHOIS service. This tool provides access to public domain name registration data.
What is Whois?
WHOIS is a search service that retrieves domain name registration data. By querying the public database, you can find out:
- When a domain name was created
- Its expiration date
- The domain owner (if publicly available)
- The registrar used to register the domain (e.g. OVHcloud).
To get this information, simply search via a WHOIS service. This simple search will give you a detailed report.
How should I interpret the results?
Once you have the query results, look for the line that says Creation Date. This line will give you the exact day that the domain name was first registered. Please note that if you have an earlier date or an updated date, the domain name information may have been updated. For example, the owner may have changed or the domain name may have been renewed.
With terminal mode
For more advanced users or those who want to automate the process, it is possible to use commands in your terminal to query Whois databases. This method is especially useful for system developers or administrators.
How do I use the terminal to search Whois?
With a Unix-based operating system (such as Linux or macOS), you can use the following command: whois domainname.com .
This command returns a full report of the specified domain name, including its creation date. However, please note that access to WHOIS information can sometimes be restricted by the registrar, especially if the domain name has activated privacy protection.
With Windows, you will need to install an additional tool, such as whois.exe, which you can use to run similar queries.
What other information can you find out about a domain name?
Tools like WHOIS provide other information that can be just as important for assessing a domain name. Here is some of the data you can get.
Server and registrar
The registrar is the entity with which the domain name has been registered, such as OVHcloud. This information is important because it allows you to know the intermediary who manages the domain name and its renewals.
The server is the host that stores the website files associated with the domain name. The hosting server can also be identified by its IP address.
Get the contact details for a domain name
Whois can also reveal the contact information linked to a domain name, such as:
- The name and email address of the owner
- The name and email of the technical manager
- The name and email address of the administrative contact
However, with the development of personal data protection regulations, such as the GDPR in Europe, this information is often hidden by privacy protections.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a webmaster, marketer, or just curious, knowing the date a domain name was created can provide you with valuable information. By using tools like WHOIS, exploring terminal commands, or analysing other domain-related information, you can get a complete overview of a domain name’s history and characteristics. Ultimately, this research allows you to make more informed decisions, whether you’re purchasing, evaluating, or managing your own website.