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The internet runs on a system of domain names that link users to websites in a seamless way, but behind every domain is a layered system of organizations working together. Most internet users don’t think about what happens between a domain’s creation and when it becomes active online. Understanding this journey reveals a structured supply chain with defined roles at each stage, from top-level authorities to the end-user experience.
At the center of the domain name infrastructure are a few key players: ICANN, registries, registrars, and resellers. Each serves a unique function that keeps the domain registration process stable, secure, and user-friendly.
At the top of the domain ecosystem sits ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). This nonprofit organization oversees the DNS (Domain Name System), IP address allocation, and the root zone files that control how domain names resolve. ICANN sets policy, enforces technical standards, and ensures fair practices across the entire domain industry.
Beneath ICANN are domain registries. These are organizations responsible for managing specific Top-Level Domains (TLDs) like .com, .org, .net, and many others. For example, Verisign manages the .com TLD, while Public Interest Registry runs .org.
Registries handle:
The registry builds and maintains the TLD infrastructure, while the registrar acts like a storefront. Registrars must be accredited by ICANN and maintain contracts with the registries of the TLDs they offer.
Registrars are ICANN-accredited companies that interact with customers directly. These are the platforms where individuals and businesses search for, register, and manage domain names.
Registrars are responsible for:
Resellers operate under registrars. They’re not accredited by ICANN, nor do they deal with registries directly. Instead, they buy domain services at wholesale prices from registrars and resell them to customers, often bundled with other digital services like hosting or email.
When someone registers a domain, the flow looks like this:
Attacks like domain hijacking, typosquatting, and phishing target weak points in the supply chain. Registrars and registries now offer added protection like registry lock, DNSSEC, and two-factor authentication to mitigate risks.
Laws like GDPR have complicated how WHOIS data is shared and how registrars handle user information. Ensuring compliance while maintaining transparency has become a balancing act.
Larger registrars and registries have been acquiring smaller ones, reducing market diversity. This consolidation impacts pricing and customer choice, especially for niche TLDs.
Blockchain-based naming systems like ENS and Unstoppable Domains aim to decentralize domain ownership, potentially disrupting traditional models governed by ICANN.
Corporate domain portfolios are increasingly managed with smart automation, which handles renewals, DNS updates, and security monitoring across thousands of domains.
The introduction of hundreds of new gTLDs has opened up branding opportunities but also added complexity, especially for businesses trying to protect their trademarks.
Knowing how the domain supply chain works helps domain owners:
The domain name supply chain includes a network of players that ensure the internet’s naming system runs smoothly. From ICANN’s global oversight to registry operations, registrar interfaces, and reseller platforms, every part of this ecosystem plays a critical role in making sure domain names work as intended.
For anyone managing a domain or planning to build a strong online presence, understanding how this structure works is essential. By learning the distinctions between domain registry roles and domain registrar functions, you'll be better equipped to choose partners, maintain control over your domains, and protect your digital identity.
Want a registrar that simplifies the entire domain supply chain? NameSilo gives you direct access to powerful domain tools, competitive pricing, free WHOIS privacy, and a trusted platform backed by years of experience—no middle layers, just full control.
