AIvikings Domain Glossary

A

A Record

An A record is a DNS record that points a hostname to an IPv4 address.

A2A

A2A, or agent-to-agent communication, describes systems where software agents exchange tasks, status, or data with each other.

AAAA Record

An AAAA record is a DNS record that points a hostname to an IPv6 address.

ACME

ACME is a protocol used to automate SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal.

AEO

AEO, or answer engine optimization, is the practice of making content easy for AI systems and answer engines to understand, cite, and retrieve.

AI Agent

An AI agent is software that can reason over a goal, use tools, and take actions on behalf of a user or organization.

ALIAS Record

An ALIAS record is a DNS-provider-specific record that lets a root domain point to another hostname.

API

An API is a structured interface that lets software systems communicate and perform actions programmatically.

API Key

An API key is a credential used by software to authenticate requests to an API.

API Rate Limit

An API rate limit is the maximum number of requests an API allows during a specific time period.

Abuse Contact

An abuse contact is the email address or channel used to report harmful domain activity such as phishing, malware, spam, or impersonation.

Administrative Contact

An administrative contact is the person or organization listed for administrative matters related to a domain registration.

Agent-Readable Content

Agent-readable content is website content structured so AI systems can reliably extract answers, entities, links, and instructions.

Alias

An alias is an alternate name or address that points to another destination, such as an email alias or DNS alias.

Anycast DNS

Anycast DNS is a network design where multiple servers answer from the same IP address and routing sends users to a nearby available server.

Apex Domain

An apex domain is the root of a registered domain, such as `example.com`, without a subdomain prefix.

Auth Code

An auth code is a transfer credential used to move a domain from one registrar to another.

Auto-Renewal

Auto-renewal is a setting that attempts to renew a domain or service automatically before it expires.

B

Backorder

A backorder is a request to try to register a domain if it becomes available in the future.

Billing Contact

A billing contact is the person or organization responsible for payment and invoice matters.

Brand Protection

Brand protection is the practice of registering, monitoring, and defending domains related to a company, product, or trademark.

Browser

A browser is software used to access websites and web applications.

Bulk Operation

A bulk operation is a single action applied to many domains, contacts, DNS zones, or records at once.

C

CAA Record

A CAA record is a DNS record that specifies which certificate authorities may issue SSL/TLS certificates for a domain.

CNAME Record

A CNAME record is a DNS record that makes one hostname an alias of another hostname.

CSR

A CSR, or certificate signing request, is data submitted to request an SSL/TLS certificate.

CSV Import

CSV import is the process of uploading structured spreadsheet data to create or update many records at once.

Cache

A cache is a temporary copy of data stored to make future requests faster.

Canonical URL

A canonical URL is the preferred URL search engines should treat as the main version of a page.

Catch-All Email

A catch-all email address receives messages sent to any undefined address at a domain.

Certificate Authority

A certificate authority is an organization that issues SSL/TLS certificates.

Contact Handle

A contact handle is an identifier for stored domain contact information.

Control Panel

A control panel is a web interface for managing domains, DNS, billing, security, or hosting services.

ccTLD

A ccTLD is a country-code top-level domain such as `.dk`, `.de`, `.uk`, or `.us`.

D

DKIM

DKIM is an email authentication method that adds a cryptographic signature to outgoing messages.

DMARC

DMARC is an email policy that tells receiving mail systems how to handle messages that fail SPF or DKIM checks.

DNS

DNS, or the Domain Name System, translates domain names into the technical destinations used by websites, email, and other internet services.

DNS Propagation

DNS propagation is the period when DNS changes spread through caches and resolvers across the internet.

DNS Provider

A DNS provider hosts and manages DNS zones for domains.

DNS Record

A DNS record is an entry in a DNS zone that tells systems how a domain or hostname should behave.

DNS-01 Challenge

A DNS-01 challenge is an ACME validation method where a domain owner proves control by publishing a DNS TXT record.

DNSSEC

DNSSEC is a set of DNS security extensions that help verify DNS answers have not been tampered with.

DS Record

A DS record is a DNSSEC record placed at the parent zone to link a domain to its DNSSEC keys.

Dashboard

A dashboard is the main web interface where users monitor and manage account activity.

Defensive Registration

Defensive registration is the practice of registering domains to prevent misuse by others.

Delegation

Delegation is the process of assigning authoritative nameservers for a domain.

Domain

A domain is a registered internet name that can be used for websites, email, applications, and other services.

Domain Availability

Domain availability indicates whether a domain can currently be registered.

Domain Dispute

A domain dispute is a formal disagreement over the registration or use of a domain name.

Domain Forwarding

Domain forwarding redirects visitors from one domain or URL to another.

Domain Lifecycle

The domain lifecycle is the sequence a domain passes through from registration to renewal, expiration, redemption, deletion, or re-registration.

Domain Migration

Domain migration is the process of moving domain, DNS, website, email, or registrar management from one setup to another.

Domain Parking

Domain parking keeps a registered domain active without a full website.

Domain Portfolio

A domain portfolio is a collection of domains owned or managed by one person, team, company, or agent.

Domain Privacy

Domain privacy is a service or policy that hides some registrant contact details from public lookup systems.

Domain Registration

Domain registration is the process of reserving a domain name through a registrar for a specific registration period.

Domain Renewal

Domain renewal extends a domain registration before or after its expiration date, depending on lifecycle rules.

Domain Reseller

A domain reseller sells or manages domain services through a registrar or platform rather than operating as a registry.

Domain Search

Domain search is the process of checking whether domain names are available and what they cost.

Domain Transfer

A domain transfer moves domain management from one registrar to another.

Domain Verification

Domain verification proves that a user controls a domain.

Duplicate Content

Duplicate content is substantially similar content available at multiple URLs.

E

EPP

EPP, or Extensible Provisioning Protocol, is a protocol used between registrars and registries to manage domain names.

EPP Code

An EPP code is another name for an auth code used to transfer a domain.

Email Alias

An email alias is an alternate email address that delivers messages to another mailbox or destination.

Email Authentication

Email authentication is the use of DNS and cryptographic checks to prove that messages are allowed to use a domain.

Email Forwarding

Email forwarding sends messages received at one address to another address.

Expiration Date

A domain expiration date is the date when a domain registration period ends if it is not renewed.

Expired Domain

An expired domain is a domain whose registration period has ended and has not yet been fully restored or deleted.

Export

An export is a downloadable copy of account, domain, DNS, contact, or billing data.

F

Favicon

A favicon is the small icon associated with a website in browser tabs, bookmarks, and search results.

Featured Snippet

A featured snippet is a search result format that highlights a direct answer from a page.

Forwarding Address

A forwarding address is the destination where redirected web or email traffic is sent.

Fully Qualified Domain Name

A fully qualified domain name, or FQDN, is the complete domain name that identifies a specific host in DNS.

G

Gaining Registrar

A gaining registrar is the registrar a domain is being transferred to.

Glue Record

A glue record is a DNS record stored at the registry to help resolve nameservers that use the same domain they serve.

Grace Period

A grace period is a limited time after expiration when a domain may still be renewed under standard or near-standard conditions.

gTLD

A gTLD is a generic top-level domain such as `.com`, `.net`, `.org`, `.app`, or `.ai`.

H

HSTS

HSTS is a browser security policy that tells browsers to use HTTPS for a domain.

HTTP

HTTP is the protocol used to transfer web pages and related resources between browsers and servers.

HTTPS

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP that uses TLS encryption.

Homograph Attack

A homograph attack uses visually similar characters to make a domain look like another trusted domain.

Host Object

A host object is a registry object representing a nameserver host, often used for custom nameservers.

Hostname

A hostname is the specific name of a device or service within a domain, such as `www.example.com`.

I

ICANN

ICANN is the global nonprofit organization that coordinates key parts of the domain name system.

IDN

An IDN, or internationalized domain name, is a domain that can include non-ASCII characters.

IMAP

IMAP is an email protocol that lets email clients read and sync mail from a server.

IP Address

An IP address is a numeric address used to identify a device or service on a network.

IP Allowlist

An IP allowlist restricts access to approved IP addresses.

IPv4

IPv4 is the older and still widely used IP address format, such as `192.0.2.1`.

IPv6

IPv6 is the newer IP address format designed to provide a much larger address space than IPv4.

Indexing

Indexing is the process by which a search engine discovers, stores, and makes pages eligible to appear in search results.

J

JSON

JSON is a lightweight data format commonly used by APIs.

JSON-LD

JSON-LD is a structured-data format that uses JSON to describe page meaning for search engines and other systems.

K

Knowledge Base

A knowledge base is a collection of help articles, guides, definitions, and support resources.

L

LLM

An LLM, or large language model, is an AI model trained to understand and generate language.

Landing Page

A landing page is a page designed for a specific audience, campaign, domain, or purpose.

Losing Registrar

A losing registrar is the current registrar a domain is transferred away from.

M

MCP

MCP, or Model Context Protocol, is a protocol pattern for connecting AI systems to tools, data, and external services.

MFA

MFA, or multi-factor authentication, requires more than one proof of identity to access an account.

MX Record

An MX record is a DNS record that tells senders which mail servers receive email for a domain.

Mailbox

A mailbox is an email account that stores incoming and outgoing messages.

Malware

Malware is software designed to harm systems, steal data, or abuse online services.

Managed DNS

Managed DNS is a DNS service operated by a provider on behalf of domain owners.

Markup

Markup is an added amount or percentage applied to a base cost.

Monitoring

Monitoring is the practice of checking whether domains, DNS, websites, APIs, or email services are working correctly.

N

NS Record

An NS record identifies the authoritative nameservers for a DNS zone.

Nameserver

A nameserver is a server that answers DNS queries for a domain.

O

OAuth

OAuth is an authorization framework that lets one service access another service without sharing the user's password.

Ownership Verification

Ownership verification is the process of proving control over a domain, account, or service.

P

POP3

POP3 is an email protocol used to download messages from a mail server to an email client.

Parked Domain

A parked domain is a registered domain that does not currently host a full website.

Passkey

A passkey is a passwordless sign-in method based on cryptographic keys.

Payment Method

A payment method is the card, bank transfer, wallet, or account balance used to pay for services.

Phishing

Phishing is an attempt to trick people into revealing information or taking unsafe actions through impersonation.

Premium Domain

A premium domain is a domain priced higher than standard registration cost because of perceived value or registry pricing.

Private Key

A private key is secret cryptographic data used with certificates, encryption, or authentication.

Production

Production is the live environment where real customer data, billing, domains, and DNS changes take effect.

Propagation

Propagation is the process by which DNS changes become visible across resolvers and caches.

Punycode

Punycode is an ASCII-compatible encoding used to represent internationalized domain names in DNS.

Q

Query

A query is a request for information, such as a DNS lookup or API request.

R

RDAP

RDAP is a modern protocol for looking up domain registration data.

REST API

A REST API is an API style that uses standard web methods and URLs to access resources.

Redemption Period

The redemption period is a post-expiration stage when a deleted domain may still be restored, often with an additional fee.

Redirect

A redirect sends users or systems from one URL to another.

Registrant

A registrant is the person or organization that holds the rights to a registered domain.

Registrar

A registrar is a company authorized to register and manage domain names for customers.

Registrar Lock

A registrar lock is a status that prevents unauthorized or accidental domain transfers.

Registry

A registry operates the authoritative database for a TLD.

Registry Premium

Registry premium means the registry prices a domain above standard registration cost.

Renewal

Renewal extends a domain registration or service for another period.

Reserved Domain

A reserved domain is a domain the registry does not make generally available for registration.

Resolver

A resolver is a DNS system that looks up DNS answers on behalf of users or applications.

Root Domain

A root domain is the main registered domain without a subdomain, such as `example.com`.

S

SEO

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of improving how pages are discovered, understood, and ranked by search engines.

SLD

An SLD, or second-level domain, is the part of a domain directly before the TLD, such as `example` in `example.com`.

SMTP

SMTP is the protocol used to send email.

SPF

SPF is an email authentication mechanism that lists which servers are allowed to send email for a domain.

SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate used to enable encrypted HTTPS connections.

Sandbox

A sandbox is a test environment where users can try API or dashboard actions without affecting production data.

Schema.org

Schema.org is a shared vocabulary for structured data used by search engines and other systems.

Search Console

Search Console is a search-engine tool used to monitor website indexing, performance, and domain verification.

Sitemap

A sitemap is a file that lists website URLs for search engines.

Status Code

A status code is a standardized response number returned by a web server or API.

Status Page

A status page reports current and historical availability for a platform or service.

Structured Data

Structured data is machine-readable markup that describes the meaning of page content.

Subdomain

A subdomain is a prefix added before a root domain, such as `blog.example.com`.

T

2FA

2FA, or two-factor authentication, requires a second proof of identity in addition to a password.

TLD

A TLD, or top-level domain, is the final part of a domain name, such as `.com`, `.dk`, or `.ai`.

TLS

TLS is the encryption protocol used by HTTPS and many secure internet services.

TTL

TTL, or time to live, tells DNS resolvers how long they may cache a DNS answer.

TXT Record

A TXT record is a DNS record that stores text values for verification, security, and policy purposes.

Tag

A tag is a label used to organize domains, contacts, DNS zones, or tasks.

Technical Contact

A technical contact is the person or organization responsible for technical matters related to a domain.

Test Environment

A test environment is a non-production setup used to try changes before they affect live services.

Token

A token is a credential string used to authenticate or authorize access.

Trademark

A trademark is a protected brand identifier such as a name, logo, or phrase.

Transfer Code

A transfer code is another name for the auth code used to transfer a domain.

Transfer Lock

A transfer lock is a setting or status that prevents a domain from being transferred to another registrar.

U

URL

A URL is the full address of a web resource.

Unicode Domain

A Unicode domain is a domain displayed with characters outside the basic ASCII character set.

Uptime

Uptime is the amount of time a service is available and functioning.

V

VAT ID

A VAT ID is a tax identification number used for value-added tax in many countries.

Vanity Nameserver

A vanity nameserver is a branded nameserver such as `ns1.example.com`.

W

WHOIS

WHOIS is a traditional lookup system for domain registration information.

Webhook

A webhook is an automated notification sent from one system to another when an event happens.

White Label

White label means a service can be offered under another company's brand.

Wildcard Certificate

A wildcard certificate secures a domain and its first-level subdomains, such as `*.example.com`.

Domain, DNS, API, and agent glossary.

A-Z glossary index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R