We take a look at the latest report from NASK, which covers the .pl domain name market for the first quarter of 2023. It’s a source of valuable information that indicates where the Polish domain market is heading. The report is full of numerous data and analysis – from the number of active domains to transfers to additional services like DNSSEC. If you’re wondering about the state and future of .pl domains, this post is for you.
Weight of activity – what it means to be active in DNS in the .pl domain market
The development and stability of the domain market can best be observed through the prism of activity in DNS. In the first quarter of 2023, the .pl domain market showed that activity in DNS is not only about numbers, but also about quality and diversity.
Existing domains in the domain registry. pl – stability in volatility
As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, the .pl domain market lists 2,509,625 active names in DNS, down slightly from last year’s record 2,527,000. This apparent stability, however, covers up internal dynamics; 81.56% are second-level names, with the rest divided between functional and regional domains. This indicates the varied use of domains by users.
For companies interested in maintaining high DNS activity, services such as the Managed Firewall and IT Security Audit offered by ITH can be invaluable. Adequate security is key to keeping domains active and secure.
Transferring displacement – how is name mobility affecting the Polish domain market?
In the first quarter of 2023, there were 36,621 transfers of .pl domain names, an average of 407 per day. This shows the fluidity of the market and its diversity. A high percentage of transfers involved active domains (90%), with a smaller number of active domains with renewal (7.62%) and inactive domains with renewal (2.38%).
Fidelity in numbers – the importance of the renewal rate in the Polish domain area
In Q1 2023, 498,619 .pl domain name renewals were made, keeping the renewal rate at 72.69%. This figure, although slightly lower than in previous periods, is an important indicator of activity in the market. The structure of renewals is also significant, with the dominance of second-level domains, which composes with the overall structure of active names.
Domains released from the .pl domain registry – growth in 2023 and surprising jumps in 2022
The number of released .pl domains in 2023 shows interesting dynamics. Here are some details that will bring this phenomenon closer:
- Record number of releases in Q1 2023: In the first quarter of 2023, the number of .pl domain names released due to non-renewal reached an all-time high of 186,812. This is a sharp increase compared to quarters in 2022.
- Unusual jump in Q4 2022: In the fourth quarter of 2022, the number of domains released after early deletion was as high as 24,735. This significant jump may suggest different approaches to domain management and renewals, such as seasonal portfolio cleaning or changes in marketing strategies.
New names in the .pl domain registry – expansion or trend?
The first quarter of 2023 in the .pl domain registry definitely stands out. 192,486 new names were registered here, almost 30,000 more than in the last quarter of last year. Surprisingly, second-level names dominated registrations, accounting for 85.34% of all new names, while functional and regional names recorded much lower figures, 12.54% and 2.12%, respectively.
Who are the owners of .pl domains?
An analysis of the structure of .pl domain subscribers offers a unique perspective on the Polish Internet domain market. From the demographics of subscribers, to their location, to the dynamics and activity in domain management, each aspect sheds light on how different groups use and influence the shape of the Polish Internet.
Balance between individuals and corporations
At the end of the first quarter of 2023, the .pl domain registry presents a balanced split between individuals and organizations in terms of new registrations: 50.66% to 49.34%. However, the overall picture is less symmetrical with a 64.51% share for organizations. The number of registrant changes made and their activity in DNS vary significantly, which opens questions about domain management strategies and the diversity of Internet usage in Poland.
Where do Polish domain owners come from? Geography in the .pl domain registry
It is interesting to note that despite the global nature of the Internet, the dominant group of registrants in the .pl domain registry are Poles. As much as 90.41% of active names in DNS in the first quarter of 2023 are registered in Poland. Moreover, during the same period 83.57% of new registrations also came from the country on the Vistula River. However, let’s not forget this remaining fragment, which accounts for 9.59% of active and 16.43% of new registrations. This shows that .pl domains also have their value outside Poland.
Additional services in the .pl domain registry – Q1 2023 analysis
One of the important aspects of the .pl domain registry is additional services such as DNSSEC, IDN and options for domain registration. The first quarter of 2023 shows some interesting trends in these categories.
DNSSEC – stability in times of change
- Security dynamics: In Q1 2023, 431,555 domains in the .pl registry were secured by DNSSEC. This is a slight increase compared to Q1 2021.
- Zone type: 81.82% of second-level names, 15.39% of functional names and 2.79% of regional names are secured.
IDN – changes in popularity of domains with national characters
- Fluctuations in activity: The number of IDN names active in DNS was 26,905, down from previous years.
- Share of the total number of domains: IDN domains account for 1.07% of all DNS-active names in the Registry.
Options – concluded and extended contracts
- New and extended contracts: In Q1 2023, 3,003 option contracts for .pl domain registration were concluded, and 1,143 were extended for another three years.
- Termination of option agreements: 1,154 existing option agreements have ended, resulting in names becoming available for registration.
Diversity and reach – unveiling of NASK’s partner program in the context of the global registrar scene
While emblematic of Poland, .pl domains are also gaining recognition beyond its borders. Here we review the fascinating context in which the NASK Partner Program, focused on the registration and management of Polish Internet domains, operates. This is not just a “local” business – in fact, as of the end of the first quarter of 2023, NASK’s Partner Program brought together as many as 199 registrars from 23 different countries.
Surprisingly, nearly a quarter of these registrars operate outside Poland, indicating the growing attractiveness of .pl domains in an international context. It’s interesting that despite being based outside the country, both European and international partners operate a significant number of domains – more than 900,000 in total. It seems that .pl domains have found their place in the global Internet ecosystem, and NASK’s Partner Program is a kind of mesh connecting various registrars from different corners of the world.
In Poland, the scene is no less impressive. Of the 127 registrars in our home backyard, we handle nearly 1.6 million domains, a dominant market share. But what’s even more fascinating is that Poland not only dominated the number of registrars, but also almost evenly divided the market with European and international players when it comes to the actual number of registered domains.
Thus, the NASK Partner Program appears as an integrated platform that serves the domestic market and evolves in response to global needs and interests. It is not just a business like any other, but something more – a kind of assembly line of diversity and global reach. It’s a fascinating dynamic to watch.
Interest in .pl Domains is growing – what’s behind the numbers?
The .pl domain registry is booming! The first three months of 2023 brought nearly 200,000 freshly registered names, an increase of nearly 30,000 over the previous quarter. But that’s not all:
- Stability in the market: Despite the dynamic growth of new names, the total number of active domains in the .pl registry remains stable, oscillating around an impressive 2.5 million.
- Increased interest: Another 4,500 Internet enthusiasts have joined the family of .pl domain subscribers, bringing the total number to more than 1.1 million.
- Subscriber loyalty: With a renewal rate of 72.69%, nearly 500,000 users decided to continue with their .pl domain for another term.
- Security at the top: Web security is key. This is evident in the number of domains secured with DNSSEC technology, which is approaching half a million.
It is also worth noting the dynamic activities of NASK Partners, the numerous transfers amounting to nearly 37,000, as well as the increased interest in the various options available to subscribers – proof that the .pl domain market is becoming increasingly diverse and competitive.
Discussion of the NASK report – summary
We present a summary of the most important data from the Q1 2023 report on the status of .pl domain registration and management. The information has been compiled in the form of a mind map to allow easy access to the most important indicators and trends. This map is a compendium of the most up-to-date data to get an idea of the dynamics and scale of the NASK Partner Program.

Source: own compilation based on information from the NASK report.
What does this mean for those interested in the .pl domain market?
Based on the Q1 2023 data presented for .pl domains, several conclusions can be interpreted for different stakeholder groups:
For professionals:
- The high renewal rate (498,619) compared to unbundled domains (186,812 + 1,832) indicates a generally healthy domain market.
- The number of transfers with renewals (2,790) may suggest that domains are still attractive to transfer and renew.
- The high number of subscriber changes (48,228) may indicate high mobility and activity in the market.
For investors:
- The market seems to be stable with a high number of renewals.
- The average number of domains per subscriber (2.25) may suggest that there is room for expansion and investment, especially when it comes to customers with fewer domains.
For domain owners:
- The significant number of renewals suggests that the value of the domains is recognized by the market, which may be an incentive to continue holding them.
- Securing 431,555 domains through DNSSEC shows that security is an important issue.
For companies:
- With an average daily number of registrations of 2,139, competition for good names is fierce. Companies should be proactive in securing their online presence.
- The number of registrars in the NASK Partner Program (199) and the number of countries in the program (23) suggests that there is a wide choice of providers.
For individuals:
- The average number of domains per subscriber (2.25) indicates that many people own more than one domain, highlighting the mobility and diversity of offerings.
- The small number of registered IDNs (2,314) may suggest that there are still many opportunities for domains in languages other than English.
More and more people are registering more than one domain name. If you are one of them, hosting packages from kru.pl can help you manage all your domains in one place.