What Is Private Registration?
Private registration (also called WHOIS privacy or domain privacy) is a service that replaces the domain registrant's personal contact information in public WHOIS records with the privacy service's generic information. Instead of showing your name, address, phone, and email, the WHOIS record displays the privacy provider's details.
Before GDPR, private registration was a paid add-on at most registrars (typically $5–$15/year). After GDPR's implementation in 2018, many registrars began including WHOIS privacy for free, as they were already required to redact personal data for EU residents.
Private registration protects against spam (your email won't be harvested from WHOIS), identity theft, and unwanted solicitation. However, it can make legitimate contact attempts more difficult — potential domain buyers may struggle to reach you.
Why This Matters for Startups
Enable WHOIS privacy on all your domains unless you have a specific reason to display your information publicly. Most registrars include it free. The main exception: if you're actively trying to sell a domain, having visible contact information makes it easier for buyers to reach you. For your primary business domain, privacy is fine — serious inquiries can come through your website's contact form instead.
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