Maintaining current domain records is crucial to ensuring a safe and reliable website. Updating WHOIS information has never been more important due to growing concerns about data accuracy and cyber threats.
At WPX.net, we’ve assisted thousands of website owners in safely and effectively managing their domain settings. We’ve seen many users assume that updating WHOIS information is a difficult process. It’s quite simple if you know the right procedure.
We’re here to clear things up and provide a thorough, easy-to-follow explanation of how to properly update WHOIS data. We’ve also considered compliance and transparency, so let us walk you through the process.
What Is WHOIS Information?
WHOIS information refers to publicly available details associated with a domain name. It serves as a website’s digital ID card. WHOIS information displays important details like the name, phone number, and email address. It may also include the organization or business name of the domain owner, if applicable.
ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) manages a global database. It oversees the information for every registered domain. Practically, anyone can utilize this database to look up domain ownership details using a WHOIS search tool.
Additionally, according to ICANN regulations, domain owners are required to maintain up-to-date WHOIS records. Be aware that if any of the information is missing, incorrect, or old, a domain may be suspended or completely removed.
Statistics revealed that only 26% of cases were resolved by updating the data, while 69% of cases ended with the domain being suspended or canceled, based on statistics from June 2018 to December 2020. This shows how quickly inaccurate WHOIS info can put a domain at risk.
Therefore, keeping WHOIS information updated serves a useful purpose. It ensures compliance. Additionally, registrars must promptly notify the owner of any domain-related issues. This includes a security alert or notice of a renewal. Remember, inaccurate contact information may result in misunderstandings, website outages, or worse.
Also, domain owners can still comply with legal requirements. How? By using privacy protection services (also known as WHOIS masking). This feature conceals personal information from the public.
(Learn how you can enable your WHOIS information in this guide.)
When Should You Update WHOIS Information?
Your WHOIS data should always include the domain owner’s up-to-date and accurate contact information. We recommend that your WHOIS data be updated immediately if any of the following changes take place:
- A new email address or phone number is used for the domain contact
- Ownership of the domain changes hands
- The business name or organization details change
- The contact person or admin has been replaced
- The domain is transferred to a new registrar
WHOIS accuracy can be impacted by even minor adjustments, like changing the email address. Additionally, waiting too long to update information complicates issues and could result in temporary domain suspension.
Generally speaking, update the listed information as soon as it becomes outdated. The sooner, the better.
How You Can Update WHOIS Information
Updating WHOIS information is now easier thanks to modern tools from registrars like WPX.net. Here’s how:
Step 1. Access your domain registrar account by logging in.
If WPX.net hosts your domain, go to the client area..
Step 2. Navigate to the domain menu
In the left-hand menu, click on Domains. Locate the domain you want to manage, then click the Settings button next to it.
Step 3. Open the WHOIS Privacy section.
Use the dropdown menu to select whether you want WHOIS Privacy ON or OFF, then save your changes.Then, update technical, billing, registrant, and administrative contact details.
Step 4. Verify phone numbers and email addresses.
Double-check the phone number and email address, since these are frequently used for urgent communication.
Step 5. Save modifications and confirm.
Certain registrars may request verification, and they usually do so via email, after updates. Hence, to finish your update, simply follow any instructions and verify your changes.
Step 6. Check the recent WHOIS record.
Make sure your information has been updated by using a WHOIS lookup tool. Note, it may take a few minutes to a few hours for the updates to take effect.
Conclusion
Keeping WHOIS information updated is a smart and necessary move. It’s crucial for anyone managing a domain in 2025. Doing so helps protect your online presence and stay compliant with internet regulations. Hence, you’re sure that your website stays live and reachable.
Regularly review your WHOIS information, and make sure to update it whenever something changes. Managing domain information is not difficult at all, especially with the tools available today. Your website will stay safe, fully verified, contactable, and compliant with just a few easy steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHOIS should be updated anytime contact information changes. Although there isn’t a set timetable, it’s a good idea to go over it at least once a year to see if anything has fallen between the cracks.
The good news is that, if everything is done correctly, WHOIS updates won’t have an impact on your emails/SEO rankings. However, temporary problems could arise if the incorrect email is used or if changes are not verified. That’s why at WPX.net, we advise that you carefully verify new information before saving.
Yes, most domain owners can use their registrar’s dashboard to update WHOIS information on their own. This procedure is easy to use and straightforward. If you use WPX.net, support is only a click away if something is unclear.
