What is ICANN?

ICANN is the acronym for the "Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers." It is a non-profit international organization responsible for the management of the global Domain Name System (DNS), the allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and the formulation and coordination of policies related to the operation of the Internet.

The main functions of ICANN include:

Management of the Domain Name System: ICANN is responsible for the approval of top-level domains (TLDs) and the accreditation of domain name registrars, ensuring the stability and security of the DNS.

Allocation of IP addresses: ICANN coordinates the global allocation of IP addresses through its regional Internet registries (RIRs) that carry out the specific allocation tasks.

Management of protocol parameters: ICANN is responsible for the development and updating of Internet protocol standards to adapt to the evolution of the Internet and technological advancements.

Policy-making: ICANN participates in the formulation of public policies that affect the operation and use of the Internet, including privacy protection and cybersecurity.

Multi-stakeholder model: ICANN operates under a multi-stakeholder model, representing the interests of the global Internet community, including governments, private sector, technical community, academia, and civil society.

ICANN was established in 1998 with the initial purpose of taking over the core functions of the Internet previously managed by the U.S. government and promoting the internationalization and privatization of these functions. The work of ICANN is crucial for maintaining the openness, stability, and security of the Internet.

How can I find the list of all registrars on the ICANN website?

There are currently two pages where you can search for registrars:

https://www.iana.org/assignments/registrar-ids/registrar-ids.xhtml

This page lists the registrars currently accredited by ICANN. These companies are qualified to operate as registrars for generic top-level domains (gTLDs).

https://www.icann.org/en/accredited-registrars

On this page, you can view all registrars accredited by ICANN, as well as their contact information. These registrars are authorized to handle domain name registration and management.