[Brussels, 5 December 2024] – The Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries (CENTR) is proud to announce the release of the public version of its comprehensive 2024 Renewal Study, providing insights into the factors that drive domain retention across country code top-level domains (ccTLDs).
The study, originally conducted for CENTR members, examines the intricate relationship between domain classification, age, and renewal rates. By categorizing domains into high-content (developed websites), low-content (parked sites), and no-content (no web presence), the report sheds light on how content and longevity influence domain retention.
Key findings from the report include:
- High-content domains exhibit the highest renewal rates at 90.3%, significantly outperforming low-content (78.5%) and no-content domains (70.3%).
- Domain age is a strong indicator of retention, with renewal rates increasing from 54% for 1-2-year-old domains to 95% for domains aged 18+ years.
- Despite the influence of age, content remains the stronger predictor of renewal, with high-content domains consistently renewing at higher rates than low-content and no-content domains, regardless of age.
The report highlights actionable recommendations for ccTLD registries to enhance renewal rates, such as:
- Promoting content development through partnerships with registrars and educational initiatives.
- Offering incentives like discounted renewal fees for domains with active content.
- Encouraging early adoption of features like MX records and SSL certificates to foster domain engagement and long-term retention.
“This study underscores the vital role of content in retaining domains and offers registries clear strategies to support their communities,” said Patrick Myles, [Data Analyst]. “By encouraging active use and meaningful content, ccTLD registries can strengthen their value proposition and enhance domain renewal rates.”
The public version of the study is now available on the CENTR website. CENTR invites registries, registrars, and stakeholders to explore the findings and consider how they can be applied to improve domain retention and support the broader domain name ecosystem.
For further inquiries, please contact:
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About CENTR:
CENTR is the association of European national top-level domain registries (ccTLDs). CENTR currently has over 50 full and associate members, who together manage more than 80% of all registered domain names worldwide.
