Information About the .PRO Domain Zone

Overview of the .pro Domain Zone

The .pro domain is a top-level domain (TLD) that was specifically designed for professionals and professional organizations. Its primary purpose is to provide a recognizable and credible online identity for individuals and entities in various professional fields, including but not limited to law, medicine, finance, and consulting.

Originally, the .pro domain was intended to serve professionals who could demonstrate their credentials, thereby enhancing trust and reliability in their online presence.

Historical Context

The .pro domain was established in 2004 by the registry company, Afilias, which is known for managing several other TLDs. The creation of .pro was part of a broader initiative to offer specialized domain names that cater to specific professional sectors. The goal was to create a domain space that would help professionals distinguish themselves in an increasingly crowded online marketplace.

Administration

Today, the .pro domain is managed by Afilias, which oversees its registration and administration. The domain is subject to regulations and oversight from international bodies such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is responsible for coordinating the global domain name system.

Registration Policy

Registration for .pro domains is open to individuals and organizations that can provide proof of their professional credentials. This includes licensed professionals, certified entities, and other recognized organizations. The following points outline the registration criteria:

• Eligibility: Registrants must be licensed professionals or organizations that can demonstrate their professional status.
• Restrictions: There are no specific restrictions based on citizenship or location, but proof of professional credentials is mandatory.
• Registration Procedure: Interested parties must submit their professional credentials during the registration process, which is then verified by the registry.

Technical Parameters

The .pro domain has specific technical features that are important for potential registrants:

• IDN Support: The .pro domain does support Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), allowing for non-Latin characters.
• Length of Domain Names: Domain names under the .pro TLD can range from 1 to 63 characters.
• Allowed Characters: The domain names can include letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-), but cannot begin or end with a hyphen.
• DNS Features: The .pro domain utilizes standard DNS protocols and supports DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) for enhanced security.

Reputation and Security

The .pro domain has maintained a relatively positive reputation within the online community. However, like many TLDs, it has faced challenges related to abuse, including spam and phishing attempts. To combat these issues, the registry has implemented several security measures:

• DNSSEC: This security feature helps protect against certain types of attacks by ensuring that the responses to DNS queries are authentic.
• Complaint-Based Locking: Domains can be locked or suspended in response to verified complaints of abuse.

Commercial Metrics

The commercial performance of the .pro domain has shown a steady increase in registrations since its inception. Here are some key metrics:

• Registration Growth: As of October 2023, there are approximately 100,000 registered .pro domains, reflecting a stable growth trend.
• Registration and Renewal Costs: The average cost for registering a .pro domain typically ranges from $15 to $30 per year, with renewal fees being similar.
• Premium Domains: There are premium .pro domains available for registration, which may come at a higher price point due to their perceived value.

Conclusion

The .pro domain serves as a valuable resource for professionals looking to establish a credible online presence. With its specific eligibility requirements, technical features, and security measures, it continues to be a preferred choice for many in various professional fields.