New gTLD Registries offer exclusive domain name extensions: why don't they create their own online directory?

The reason new gTLD registries don't typically create their own online directories is due to the fundamental structure of the domain name system and the business model they operate under.

Here's a breakdown of the key factors:

1. The Role of a Registry vs. a Registrar

• Registry: A registry operator is responsible for managing a top-level domain (TLD) like .app, .ninja, or .nyc. Their job is to maintain the central database of all registered domain names within that TLD. They set the policies and prices for their TLD.
• Registrar: A registrar is the company that sells domain names directly to the public. Companies like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and others are registrars. They have a contract with the registry to offer registrations for that specific TLD to end-users.

The business relationship is a B2B (business-to-business) one. The registry's customers are the registrars, not the end-users. Creating a directory for end-users would put them in direct competition with their own customers, which is a poor business strategy.

2. The Decentralized Nature of the Domain Name System

The internet's domain name system (DNS) is designed to be decentralized and distributed. No single entity holds all the information. The registry maintains the TLD's zone file, but the registrar handles the registration, billing, and management of the domain for the end-user.

• Whois/RDAP: The primary way to find information about a registered domain is through the Whois or RDAP protocol. This is a public database that contains technical and contact information for a domain name, and it is a shared resource. It's not a consumer-facing "directory" in the same way as a Yellow Pages or a business listing site.
• Privacy: Many domain registrants choose to use privacy services, which obscure their personal information from the public Whois/RDAP record. This makes a comprehensive directory of who owns what domain even more difficult to create.

3. Business and Marketing Focus

• Marketing to Registrars: Registries focus their marketing and business development efforts on attracting and supporting registrars. They want registrars to actively promote and sell their TLD.
• Specialization: Registries specialize in the technical and operational aspects of running a TLD, including ensuring security, stability, and compliance with ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) regulations. Creating and maintaining an online directory is a completely different business model that requires a different set of skills and resources.

In essence, the system is built on a clear division of labor. The registry is the wholesaler, and the registrars are the retailers. It's a structure that promotes competition among registrars and ensures the stability and security of the entire domain name system.