Reserved Domain: Names Held Back by the Registry
A reserved domain is a name withheld from public registration by the registry or by policy — it is not registered to anyone and not available at any price through normal channels. Reservations cover technical and policy names (like nic.tld), strings ICANN requires gTLD registries to withhold, and names registries hold back for their own commercial plans.
Why names get reserved
- •Required reservations: gTLD registries must withhold certain strings under their ICANN agreements, including registry-operations names and specific protected labels.
- •Registry-reserved inventory: operators hold back strings they may later release, auction, or price as premiums.
- •Historical restrictions: some categories, like two-character labels in new gTLDs, were initially reserved and later released under defined processes.
Reserved vs. premium vs. registered — the lookup tells you
A reserved name typically shows no registration record in RDAP but still cannot be added to a cart, or is flagged "reserved" by registrar search. A premium name is available at an elevated price. A registered name has a full record with a registrant and expiry date. If a name you want is reserved, the only paths are waiting for a release program or contacting the registry — there is no owner to negotiate with.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a reserved domain?
Not through normal registration. Some registries eventually release reserved names via auctions, premium programs, or direct sale — watch the registry's announcements, since releases are how previously unavailable strings enter the market.
How do I tell if a domain is reserved or just registered?
Check RDAP: a registered name has a record with dates and a registrar; a reserved name generally has none yet still shows unavailable at registrars, often with an explicit reserved flag.