.XXX Domain Registration: Adult Industry Guide
For businesses in the adult entertainment industry, completing a .XXX domain registration provides a recognized and trusted extension for your online presence. This guide covers everything you need to know about the registration process, membership requirements, and policies governing this specialized top-level domain.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Membership Requirements
- Sponsored Community Definition
- Features & Advantages
- Benefits
- About IFFOR Policies
- The Membership Application Process
- Review
Membership Requirements for Hosting a .XXX Domain
When registering for a .XXX domain, it's essential to identify whether you are a member or non-member of the Sponsored Community. By declaring yourself as a member during the .XXX domain registration, you gain the privilege to host a live website. To solidify your status as a Sponsored Community member and unlock these benefits, you'll be guided through the Membership Application Process after your registration. Conversely, if you opt to register as a non-member, you will be exempt from this process but will not have the ability to launch a live site on your .XXX domain.
.XXX Sponsored Community Definition
Individuals, businesses, entities, and organizations that provide online, sexually-oriented adult entertainment ("Online Adult Entertainment") intended for consenting adults or for other community members ("Providers"); represent providers ("Representatives"); or provide products or services to Providers and Representatives ("Service Providers").
Features & Advantages
- A globally promoted & recognizable trusted Sponsored Community domain extension
- Targeted for the Sponsored Community (Adult Industry)
- Thousands of new domain names available to Sponsored Community webmasters
- Registry Sponsored Portals
- Access to a unique micro-payment platform - opens new payment methods and markets globally
- Sites are labeled by MetaCert for consumers who do not wish to access these sites
- Increased traffic via registry portals, type-ins, and directed search
- Daily malware & virus scanning included by McAfee with McAfee Trustmark (logo is optional).
- Consumer-friendly as customers know what to expect
- A safe, secure, and trusted environment
- Consumer acceptance and confidence in .XXX domains
Benefits
Greater acceptance and trust by more consumers globally with the ability to pay easily without risk, which translates into:
- More traffic
- Higher conversion ratios
- Easier ways to pay
About IFFOR Policies
The International Foundation for Online Responsibility (IFFOR) is a Non-Profit Foundation tasked with setting the policies for .XXX domains. The IFFOR is independent of the ICM Registry and funded through a contract with ICM to the tune of $10 per registration per year.
The IFFOR Policy Council comprises five Adult Industry representatives worldwide. One member from ICM plus three advocates focused on privacy and security, free speech, and child protection. The Adult Industry has the majority representation. The policy guidelines are strictly organized in the IFFOR charter (available at www.iffor.org). No policy can be implemented outside the charter. Developed by the IFFOR, all .XXX registrants are contractually obliged to follow a set of practices drawn up to provide effective self-regulation of the Adult Industry (Sponsored Community). They:
- Safeguard children from being marketed or targeted online
- Defend customer privacy
- Use and promote accurate labeling and meta-tagging
- Ensure clear and accurate disclosures, security of transactions, and contact information
- Protect intellectual property rights
- Combat the use of unlawful, malicious codes and technologies (e.g., spoofing)
- Oppose fraudulent, anonymous, and unsolicited bulk SPAM advertising adult entertainment
IFFOR preserves these practices' credibility through regular revisions and updates to accommodate developments in technologies and societal expectations.
The Membership Application Process
General Information:
The Membership Application Process was developed for applicants to become members of the Sponsored Community. This process is available to applicants who wish to host a live website on a .XXX domain name. The process is designed to confirm the status and validate contact information for prospective applicants who are members of the Sponsored Community. The Membership Application Process will include a membership token/ID and must be completed before a name in the .XXX TLD will be permitted to resolve (ability to host a live website). Prospective applicants who are not members of the Sponsored Community should not complete the Membership Application Process.
During the Application Process, the Applicant will:
- Agree that they satisfy the Sponsored Community Definition (Sponsored Community) as published on the .XXX registry website.
AND
- Comply with the International Foundation for Online Responsibility (IFFOR) Policies and Best Practices Guidelines, as published on the IFFOR's website.
The Membership Application Process will be:
- The applicant registers domain(s) with us and attest that they are a member of the Sponsored Community.
- ICM Registry emails the applicant who selected that they would like their .XXX domain name to resolve a link to authenticate on the ICM website. Please white list [email protected] so that you will receive the email.
From: ICM Registry Support
Subject: ICM Member Account Setup
The applicant completes the authentication process from the link provided in the email
ICM Member Account Setup Process:- Enter your date of birth (members must be 18 years of age or older).
- Create an account.
- Enter your contact information (Business or Individual).
Note: Make sure the phone number you use is readily available to you.
- Address verification will take place, and then you will select the correct address.
- You will verify the phone number you entered as you will receive a phone call to be provided a 4-digit PIN code that will need to be entered on the next screen.
- Once you receive the phone call, enter the PIN code into the website.
- The PIN will be validated, and the process is complete - please keep the Membership Token/ID in a safe place.
- The applicant will be provided a Membership ID that can be used in the future .XXX domain registrations that you would like to resolve into a live website.
- Once the Membership ID is received, login to the Account Manager.
- Click on Domain Names, then select the .XXX domain.
- Click see details under Special Rules Compliant in the Domain Overview section.
- Enter the Membership ID, then select Save.
Defensive Registrations:
During General Availability, non-members of the Sponsored Community can register domain names defensively. They will simply register the domain, NOT authenticate it on the ICM website, and the domain will not be resolved.
At any point, if you would like to become a member of the Sponsored Community, please send an email to [email protected] to request a Sponsored Community membership email.
Review
The .XXX domain registration process is unique and designed to create a secure and trusted environment for the adult entertainment industry. This guide has covered the critical steps, from understanding the Sponsored Community membership requirements and IFFOR policies to completing the detailed application process required to launch a live website.