Why It Matters
ISPs and spam filters use domain age and WHOIS data as trust signals. A domain registered yesterday that's already blasting thousands of emails is almost certainly spam. Most deliverability experts recommend waiting at least 30 days after domain registration — and ideally 90 days — before sending any significant email volume. WHOIS data also plays a role in abuse reporting: if someone receives spam from your domain, the WHOIS contact info is where complaints get sent.
How It Works
You can run a WHOIS lookup at sites like whois.domaintools.com or through command-line tools. The results show the domain registrar, creation date, expiration date, nameservers, and sometimes the registrant's contact information (though many registrants use privacy services to hide personal details). ICANN requires domain registrars to maintain accurate WHOIS records, though enforcement varies.
Quick Tips
- Register your sending domain well in advance of when you plan to start emailing — domain age is a real reputation factor.
- Keep your WHOIS records accurate and up to date. Inaccurate records can be grounds for domain suspension.
- If you use WHOIS privacy, make sure abuse complaints still have a valid path to reach you. Some privacy services forward abuse reports automatically.
- Check the WHOIS expiration date on your sending domain and set a reminder. A lapsed domain means no email — and someone else could register it.