Mediocre start to 2025 for the .nl domain

New registrations down, cancellations up

Contraction was driven by a rise in cancellations combined with fewer new registrations. In the first quarter of 2025, 213,000 new .nl domain names were registered, while 253,000 were cancelled. Both figures compare unfavourably with the same period of 2024, when there were 227,000 registrations and 245,000 cancellations. Meanwhile, the Dutch domain name market as a whole grew by 2 per cent, mainly as a result of increased .com registrations. Higher demand for .com follows the introduction of a new marketing programme in 2024, enabling registrars to offer domain names at heavily discounted prices.

Figure 1: Development of the .nl domain over the last 10 years (Source: https://stats.sidnlabs.nl).

Fewer start-ups, more closures

Business start-ups are an important source of new registrations, and business closures lead to domain name cancellations. In 2024, the number of business closures in the Netherlands increased by 11 per cent, while start-ups fell by 8 per cent. One important factor in that context was concern about the authorities’ clampdown on sham self-employment. The trend seen last year continued into the early part of 2025, with the total number of self-employed people falling further, albeit only marginally. Roughly 50 per cent of the Netherlands’ 2.8 million self-employed people have their own domain names. Less self-employment therefore has worrying implications for the demand for new domain names.

Impact of AI on websites

Another factor is the rise of AI tools such as ChatGPT, which assume some of the functions previously performed by websites and search engines like Google. With the help of NIQ GfK, we have investigated the relationship between AI use and the frequency of visits to .nl websites. The study revealed a negative correlation between the use of AI tools and website visits. From a survey of SIDN Panel members, we also know that many users see AI tools as replacing traditional search engines and websites: 44 per cent reported using search engines less, while 36 per cent said that they visited websites less. However, AI also has positive effects. For example, in the last year, registrars have started using AI tools to immediately generate websites for new customers. That reduces the risk of a domain name being left inactive because the registrant lacks the time or money to set up a website.

Geopolitics set to drive new trend?

In certain other countries, demand for the associated country-code domain names has risen recently in response to geopolitical developments. In Canada, for example, the national registry CIRA reports increased interest in .ca domain names, while the number of .com domain names with Canadian registrants has fallen. Whether a similar trend will develop in Europe remains to be seen.

SIDN and registrars invest in the .nl zone

Looking ahead, we will continue to work with .nl registrars, investing in growth and in the quality of the .nl zone. We have recently started incentivising adoption of the security.txt protocol for .nl domain names, for example. We also offer support to registrars that wish to promote the registration and retention of .nl domain names.

Prospects

Over the year ahead, we expect the .nl domain to gradually contract to roughly 6 million domain names. The main reason being that the decline in business start-ups and the rise in business closures will continue to affect registrations for some time to come. Nevertheless, .nl remains one of the largest and most secure country-code domains in the world.

Table 1: Largest country-code domains worldwide on 1 March 2025 (Source: CENTR/Verisign).

NB: the .ru domain (Russia) is omitted from the list because the relevant data is not published.