{{Short description|Internet top-level domain}} {{about|the top-level domain|the software framework|.NET|other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Use American English|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox Top level domain |name=.net |image = DotNet logo.svg |introduced={{start date and age|df=yes|1985|1|1}} |type=Generic top-level domain |status=Active |registry=Verisign |sponsor=None |intendeduse=Network infrastructure |actualuse=Internet service providers; miscellaneous sites; used sometimes when desired name is not available in .com |restrictions=None |structure=Registrations at second level permitted |document={{IETF RFC|1591}}; [http://www.icann.org/tlds/agreements/net/net-registry-agreement-01jul05.pdf ICANN registry agreement] |disputepolicy=UDRP |website={{url|https://yourdot.net}} |dnssec=Yes |registereddomains=12.5 Mio|dateregistereddomains=Q4 2025|refregistereddomains=<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=The DNIB Quarterly Report Q4 2025 |url=https://www.dnib.com/articles/the-domain-name-industry-brief-q4-2025 |access-date=2026-02-09 |website=Domain Name Industry Brief (DNIB) |language=en}}</ref>}}
The domain name '''net''' is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The name is derived from the word ''network'', indicating it was originally intended for organizations involved in networking technologies, such as Internet service providers and other infrastructure companies. However, there are no official restrictions and the domain is now a general-purpose namespace.
==History== {{mono|.net}} is one of the original top-level domains<ref>{{Cite IETF |title=Domain Requirements |rfc=920 |first1=J. | last1=Postel |first2=J. |last2=Reynolds| date=October 1984 }}</ref> (the other six being {{mono|com}}, {{mono|org}}, {{mono|edu}}, {{mono|gov}}, {{mono|mil}}, and {{mono|arpa}}) created in January 1985, despite not being mentioned in RFC 920.
Verisign, the operator of {{mono|net}} after acquiring Network Solutions, held an operations contract that expired on 30 June 2005. ICANN, the organization responsible for domain management, sought proposals from organizations to operate the domain upon expiration of the contract. Verisign regained the contract bid and secured its control over the {{mono|net}} registry for another six years.
On 30 June 2011, the contract with Verisign was automatically renewed for another six years. This is because of a resolution approved by the ICANN board, which states that renewal will be automatic as long as Verisign meets certain ICANN requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedomains.com/2011/06/23/icann-approves-the-renewal-of-net-contract-with-verisign|title=.net Contract Renewed|date=24 June 2011 }}</ref> As of Feb 2025, Verisign continues to manage .net.<ref>{{cite web|title=.net Domains Search on Verisign|url=https://www.verisign.com/en_US/domain-names/net-domain-names/index.xhtml|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2021|website=Verisign|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213191255/http://www.verisign.com:80/en_US/domain-names/net-domain-names/index.xhtml |archive-date=13 December 2015 }}</ref>
==Registration== Registrations are processed via accredited registrars and internationalized domain names are also accepted.<ref>[http://www.verisigninc.com/en_US/products-and-services/domain-name-services/registry-services/idn-domain-names/index.xhtml How Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) Work], verisigninc.com</ref>
The first created .net domain name is nordu.net. It was created on 1 January 1985 according to the public records, and NORDUnet has used this domain name since 1985.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nordhagen |first=Rolf |date=2005 |editor-last=Bubenko |editor-first=Janis |editor2-last=Impagliazzo |editor2-first=John |editor3-last=Sølvberg |editor3-first=Arne |title=Nordunet: The Roots of Nordic Networking |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/0-387-24168-X_35 |journal=History of Nordic Computing |language=en |location=Boston, MA |publisher=Springer US |pages=391–404 |doi=10.1007/0-387-24168-X_35 |isbn=978-0-387-24168-5|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Hosted website builders such as Wix, Weebly, and Duda support the use of custom domain names, including .net domains, for websites built on their platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |title=Wix website builder review 2026 |website=TechRadar |date=2022-03-18 |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/wix |access-date=2026-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Masoner |first=Liz |title=10 Best Website Builders Of 2025 |website=Forbes Advisor |date=2024-12-19 |url=https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-website-builders/ |access-date=2026-03-24}}</ref>
As of 2025, it is the fourth most popular top-level domain, after {{mono|.com}}, {{mono|.cn}} and {{mono|.de}}.<ref name="auto"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.verisigninc.com/en_US/products-and-services/domain-name-services/find-registrar/index.xhtml List of {{mono|net}} accredited registrars] {{Generic top-level domains}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:NET}} Category:Generic top-level domains Category:Council of European National Top Level Domain Registries members Category:Internet properties established in 1985