---
title: "What Is ICANN? Domain Glossary | Grit Brokerage"
description: "ICANN is the nonprofit that coordinates the Internet's unique identifiers, including domain names. It signs contracts with registries, accredits..."
url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/icann
publisher: Grit Brokerage
contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact
offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry
---

Registration and DNS

# ICANN

ICANN is the nonprofit that coordinates the Internet's unique identifiers, including domain names. It signs contracts with registries, accredits registrars and sets consensus policies, such as the transfer and registration data rules.

## Why it matters

ICANN does not sell domains or control website content. It writes the rules that registries and registrars must follow. Those rules affect sellers directly. Examples are the Transfer Policy, the Expired Registration Recovery Policy and the UDRP dispute process. ICANN also runs the New gTLD Program, which creates new extensions. Think of ICANN as the rule maker, not as a place to complain about a price or a buyer. Knowing which body owns which rule saves time during a dispute or transfer problem.

Source: [icann.org](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/what-2012-02-25-en)

[Read nextHow Domain Transfers Work: Auth Codes, Transfer Locks, and Push vs Transfer](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-transfer-process)

## Where we use this term

-   [.com vs .ai vs .io vs .co: How to Choose a Domain Extension](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/com-vs-ai-vs-io-vs-co)
-   [How Domain Escrow Works (and Why Every Deal Should Use It)](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-escrow)
-   [Domain Sale Scams: How to Spot Fake Buyers, Appraisal Scams, and Fake Escrow](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-sale-scams)
-   [Domain Names and Trademarks: UDRP, Cybersquatting, and How to Buy Safely](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-trademark-udrp-risk)
-   [How to Find Out Who Owns a Domain Name (WHOIS, RDAP, and Privacy)](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/find-domain-owner)

## Buying or selling a domain?

Call, text or email. Responsiveness is our trademark, and a broker answers, not a form robot.

[Talk to a broker](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact) [Call (442) 500-GRIT](tel:+1-442-500-4748)