The Domain Age Checker queries the RDAP registry to find when a domain was first registered. Use it to assess domain authority, evaluate purchases, or research competitors. Domain age is a useful signal for SEO valuation and credibility.
Check Domain Age
Looking up registration data...
Domain Timeline
Context
How to Use the Domain Age Checker
The Domain Age Checker uses RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) data from the Who-Dat API to retrieve domain registration dates. RDAP is the modern, structured replacement for the older WHOIS protocol.
Step 1: Enter a Domain
Enter just the base domain like google.com or wikipedia.org. URLs with http/https or www are automatically cleaned.
Step 2: Read the Results
Results show the domain's age in years, months, and days — along with registration date, last update date, and expiry date. The timeline visualization shows where the domain is in its registration lifecycle.
Domain Age and SEO
Older domains generally carry more historical authority and trust signals. When evaluating a domain for purchase or partnership:
- 5+ years old — typically has established history and some authority
- 10+ years old — domain predates modern social media; may have valuable history
- Under 2 years — newer domain, may need more time to build authority in competitive niches
When Domain Age Doesn't Matter
For most queries, content quality and topical relevance outweigh domain age. Google has stated that domain age is a minor factor. A well-optimized new domain can outrank a neglected 20-year-old domain. Age matters more as a tie-breaker when content and links are otherwise equal.
FAQ
Why does domain age matter for SEO?
Older domains generally have more historical data, inbound links, and domain authority built up over time. Google uses domain history as one signal among many. A 10-year-old domain with consistent content and links will typically outrank a new domain on competitive terms, all else equal. However, domain age alone is not a dominant ranking factor — content quality and relevance matter far more.
How is domain age calculated?
Domain age is calculated from the registration date stored in RDAP registry data to the current date. The tool shows exact years, months, and days. Note that the registration date doesn't always equal when content first appeared — a domain can be registered years before a site launches.
Why does the registration date say 'not available'?
Some TLDs (particularly country-code TLDs like .it, .fr, .ru) have registries that don't expose registration dates via RDAP or return limited data. In these cases, RDAP returns event data without a registration date. The tool will show what data is available from the registry.
What is the difference between registration date and creation date?
In RDAP, the 'registration' event date is equivalent to what older WHOIS called the 'creation date' — when the domain was first registered. They refer to the same moment. The tool uses the 'registration' event from the RDAP events array.
Can I check the age of expired/deleted domains?
If a domain has been deleted and re-registered, the registration date will show when it was most recently registered, not the original registration date. RDAP only shows the current registration's history. Historical registration data from before a deletion is generally not available through public APIs.
How accurate are the expiry date estimates?
Expiry dates come directly from the RDAP registry for the domain's TLD, so they reflect the current registration term. Domain owners can renew early (pushing the expiry further out) or let a domain expire, so the date may change between checks. Results are cached in your browser for 5 minutes.