New domain registration currently closedWas the most registered free domain in the world (+25M)Freenom collapsed in 2023-2024 after a Meta lawsuit

.tk Domain

.tk is the ccTLD of Tokelau, registered with IANA on November 7, 1997, and managed by Teletok. For years it was the most registered free domain in the world (over 25 million registrations) through Freenom, now being restructured after the company's 2023-2024 collapse.

1997 Year created
ccTLD Extension type (IANA)
On request Registration price / year
Yes Registration restrictions

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About the .TK domain

What is the .TK domain?

The .tk is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) of Tokelau, a New Zealand territory in the South Pacific, registered in the IANA database on November 7, 1997, and officially managed by Telecommunication Tokelau Corporation (Teletok), based in Fakaofo.

Dutch entrepreneur Joost Zuurbier identified .tk as an inactive, unclaimed ccTLD and proposed a pioneering model: offering domains completely free of charge, funded by advertising, through his company Freenom, which operated the registry on Teletok's behalf for over two decades. The formula was wildly successful: .tk grew to surpass 25 million registered domains, becoming the most registered ccTLD in the world and, according to a 2018 report, the third most prevalent extension used for phishing attacks globally, a consequence of the massive, anonymous use its free model encouraged.

On March 3, 2023, Meta filed a lawsuit against Freenom over cybersquatting and trademark infringement, triggering an immediate suspension of new registrations. In November 2023, ICANN terminated Freenom's registrar accreditation over unresolved breaches, and in February 2024 Freenom itself announced its final exit from the domain registration business. Since then, Teletok has opened negotiations with the .nz registry operator to manage .tk's future, and registration of new domains remains closed while the transition is resolved.
Registration restrictions

New .tk domain registrations are currently closed. Following a lawsuit Meta filed against Freenom in March 2023 over cybersquatting and trademark infringement, and ICANN's subsequent termination of Freenom's registrar accreditation in November 2023, Freenom announced in February 2024 its complete exit from the domain registration business. Teletok, Tokelau's official operator, has opened negotiations with the .nz registry operator to manage .tk going forward. Contact our team to discuss alternatives while this situation is resolved.

Extension .TK
IANA type ccTLD
Created in 1997
Registry Telecommunication Tokelau Corporation (Teletok), based in Fakaofo; the registry was operated for years by the Dutch company Freenom
Country / territory Tokelau
Restrictions Yes
Registration On request
Renewal On request

Uses of .TK

Who is the .TK domain for?

These are the most common situations where .TK is the ideal extension.

Historical interest in internet economics

A unique case study on free domains and their consequences.

New domain registration currently closed

No project can register a new .tk while the transition is underway.

Cybersecurity research

.tk is a go-to reference case in studies on ccTLD abuse and phishing.

Future tied to the .nz registry

Teletok is negotiating with the New Zealand operator over the domain's future management.

.TK vs other extensions

Which extension suits you best?

Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .TK with the most common alternatives to help you choose.

Extension Best for Restrictions Registration price
.tk This page No project can currently register it New domain registration closed Not available
.com Any project with no registration restrictions None $14.99/yr

Registration process

How to register your .TK domain at miHosting

01

Check availability

Type the name you want in the search bar. We show you in seconds whether it's available or if you need to look for alternatives.

02

Complete registration

Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.

03

Your domain is live

Within minutes your .TK domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions about the .TK domain

Can I register a new .tk domain today?

No. New domain registration is closed following Freenom's 2023-2024 collapse.

Why was .tk free?

The Dutch company Freenom offered it at no cost, funded by advertising, generating over 25 million registrations.

Why did Freenom stop operating?

Meta sued it in 2023 over cybersquatting and trademark infringement, and ICANN revoked its registrar accreditation that same year.

Who currently manages the .tk domain?

Teletok, Tokelau's official operator, which is negotiating with the .nz registry over the domain's future.

Will .tk registration reopen?

It depends on how negotiations between Teletok and the .nz operator progress; there is no confirmed date.

What alternative does miHosting recommend in the meantime?

A generic extension like .com or .net, or an open ccTLD with no restrictions. Contact our team to weigh your options.

Register your .TK today

Your .TK domain.
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The .tk domain of Tokelau was for years the most registered free ccTLD in the world, managed by Freenom on Teletok's behalf. After Freenom's 2023-2024 collapse, new domain registration remains closed. Contact our team about alternatives such as our professional hosting.