Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is best-websites.net legit or a scam?
AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns best-websites.net?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for best-websites.net. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 3 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 5 registrar changes since Feb 12, 2012 · 1 registrant change since 2009 · last checked Oct 18, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredDec 9, 2022best-websites.net was registered on Dec 9, 2022.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 17, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 19, 2006 – Apr 17, 2014An AboutUs wiki page described best-websites.net from Jun 19, 2006 to Apr 17, 2014 (4 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023Said about itself in 2006
Registrar
GoDaddy.com, LLCFeb 12, 2012 – Jul 24, 2012Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Feb 12, 2012 to Jul 24, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)GMO INTERNET, INC.Aug 21, 2017 – Mar 11, 2019
Registrant
Registrant recordsApr 18, 2009 – Jun 15, 2026Registration records for best-websites.net are held from Apr 18, 2009 to Jun 15, 2026 (54 records). 1 change of registrant name or organization is marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Zone file
No nameserver records held, Jul 2012 – Oct 2013No nameserver records held, Sep 2016 – Aug 2017No nameserver records held, Mar 2019 – Dec 2019Nameservers: sitesdepot.comFeb 12, 2012Registration records listed sitesdepot.com nameservers (ns1.sitesdepot.com, ns2.sitesdepot.com) for best-websites.net from Feb 12, 2012 to Feb 12, 2012.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
Let's EncryptMar 26, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026Let's Encrypt issued 7 certificates for best-websites.net from Mar 26, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 6, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
2010201520202025Apr ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (33)
Jun 19, 2006 – Apr 17, 2014AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described best-websites.net from Jun 19, 2006 to Apr 17, 2014 (4 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “Welcome to Best Web Sites, A Human Edited Directory of the Best Web Sites on the Internet. Sites can be listed by popularity, voting rank, new listing, and more.”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Apr 18, 2009 – Jun 15, 2026Registrant: Registration records for best-websites.net are held from Apr 18, 2009 to Jun 15, 2026 (54 records). 1 change of registrant name or organization is marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Feb 12, 2012 – Jul 24, 2012Registrar: Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Feb 12, 2012 to Jul 24, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Feb 12, 2012Zone file: Registration records listed sitesdepot.com nameservers (ns1.sitesdepot.com, ns2.sitesdepot.com) for best-websites.net from Feb 12, 2012 to Feb 12, 2012.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jul 1, 2006
“Welcome to Best Web Sites, A Human Edited Directory of the Best Web Sites on the Internet. Sites can be listed by popularity, voting rank, new listing, and more.”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Current AboutUs recordJun 27, 2026 – Aug 17, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 17, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Registrar GMO INTERNET, INC. (IANA 49) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Aug 21, 2017 to Mar 11, 2019.
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
DropCatch.com 520 LLCDec 4, 2019 – Aug 19, 2020Registrar DropCatch.com 520 LLC (IANA 2000) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Dec 4, 2019 to Aug 19, 2020.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Squarespace Domains II LLCOct 28, 2020 – Aug 2, 2022Registrar Squarespace Domains II LLC (IANA 895) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Oct 28, 2020 to Aug 2, 2022.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
PDXPrivateNames.com LLCFeb 17, 2023 – Aug 12, 2023Registrar PDXPrivateNames.com LLC (IANA 1228) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Feb 17, 2023 to Aug 12, 2023.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
NETIM SASNETIM SASNov 19, 2023 – Oct 18, 2026 (latest)Registrar NETIM SAS (IANA 1519) in the registration data recorded, first on Nov 19, 2023 and most recently on Oct 18, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 17, 2026
Registrant changeFeb 17, 2023The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Feb 17, 2023. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
1 registrant change, 2009–2026
Nameservers: co.ilJul 3, 2012 – Jul 24, 2012Registration records listed co.il nameservers (ns1.spd.co.il, ns2.spd.co.il) for best-websites.net from Jul 3, 2012 to Jul 24, 2012.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to co.ilJul 3, 2012best-websites.net's nameservers moved from sitesdepot.com to co.il at some point between Feb 12, 2012 and Jul 3, 2012. Last seen at sitesdepot.com: Feb 12, 2012 (registration record). First seen at co.il: Jul 3, 2012 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 5 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: co.ilOct 18, 2013 – Sep 3, 2016co.il (ns1.spd.co.il, ns2.spd.co.il) were the nameservers listed for best-websites.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Sep 3, 2016 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: wixidns.comAug 21, 2017Registration records listed wixidns.com nameservers (ns1.wixidns.com, ns2.wixidns.com) for best-websites.net from Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 21, 2017.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to wixidns.comAug 21, 2017best-websites.net's nameservers moved from co.il to wixidns.com at some point between Sep 3, 2016 and Aug 21, 2017. Last seen at co.il: Sep 3, 2016 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). First seen at wixidns.com: Aug 21, 2017 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 12 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (ICANN zone-file snapshot → registration record)
Nameservers: nlrs.jpApr 3, 2018nlrs.jp (danlsx.nlrs.jp, dbnwsx.nlrs.jp) were the nameservers listed for best-websites.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Apr 3, 2018 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
DNS moved to nlrs.jpApr 3, 2018best-websites.net's nameservers moved from wixidns.com to nlrs.jp at some point between Aug 21, 2017 and Apr 3, 2018. Last seen at wixidns.com: Aug 21, 2017 (registration record). First seen at nlrs.jp: Apr 3, 2018 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 7 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → ICANN zone-file snapshot)
Nameservers: nlrs.jpSep 21, 2018 – Mar 11, 2019Registration records listed nlrs.jp nameservers (danlsx.nlrs.jp, dbnwsx.nlrs.jp) for best-websites.net from Sep 21, 2018 to Mar 11, 2019.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: dns.comDec 4, 2019 – Jul 3, 2020Registration records listed dns.com nameservers (jm1.dns.com, jm2.dns.com) for best-websites.net from Dec 4, 2019 to Jul 3, 2020.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to dns.comDec 4, 2019best-websites.net's nameservers moved from nlrs.jp to dns.com at some point between Mar 11, 2019 and Dec 4, 2019. Last seen at nlrs.jp: Mar 11, 2019 (registration record). First seen at dns.com: Dec 4, 2019 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 9 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Google DomainsOct 28, 2020 – Aug 2, 2022Registration records listed Google Domains nameservers (ns-cloud-d1.googledomains.com, ns-cloud-d2.googledomains.com, ns-cloud-d3.googledomains.com…) for best-websites.net from Oct 28, 2020 to Aug 2, 2022.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Google DomainsOct 28, 2020best-websites.net's nameservers moved from dns.com to Google Domains at some point between Jul 3, 2020 and Oct 28, 2020. Last seen at dns.com: Jul 3, 2020 (registration record). First seen at Google Domains: Oct 28, 2020 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 4 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: o2switch.netFeb 17, 2023 – Nov 19, 2023Registration records listed o2switch.net nameservers (ns1.o2switch.net, ns2.o2switch.net) for best-websites.net from Feb 17, 2023 to Nov 19, 2023.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to o2switch.netFeb 17, 2023best-websites.net's nameservers moved from Google Domains to o2switch.net at some point between Aug 2, 2022 and Feb 17, 2023. Last seen at Google Domains: Aug 2, 2022 (registration record). First seen at o2switch.net: Feb 17, 2023 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 7 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: netim.netJun 7, 2024 – May 18, 2025Registration records listed netim.net nameservers (ns1.netim.net, ns2.netim.net, ns3.netim.net) for best-websites.net from Jun 7, 2024 to May 18, 2025.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to netim.netJun 7, 2024best-websites.net's nameservers moved from o2switch.net to netim.net at some point between Nov 19, 2023 and Jun 7, 2024. Last seen at o2switch.net: Nov 19, 2023 (registration record). First seen at netim.net: Jun 7, 2024 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 7 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: CloudflareJun 26, 2025 – Jun 15, 2026Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (alla.ns.cloudflare.com, tim.ns.cloudflare.com) for best-websites.net from Jun 26, 2025 to Jun 15, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to CloudflareJun 26, 2025best-websites.net's nameservers moved from netim.net to Cloudflare between May 18, 2025 and Jun 26, 2025. Last seen at netim.net: May 18, 2025 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jun 26, 2025 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Google Trust Services
May 11, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026 (latest)
Google Trust Services issued 3 certificates for best-websites.net from May 11, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 5, 2026. Seen in use on Oct 18, 2026.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 18, 2026
Jul 3, 2012 – Jul 24, 2012
Zone file: Registration records listed co.il nameservers (ns1.spd.co.il, ns2.spd.co.il) for best-websites.net from Jul 3, 2012 to Jul 24, 2012.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jul 3, 2012Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from sitesdepot.com to co.il at some point between Feb 12, 2012 and Jul 3, 2012. Last seen at sitesdepot.com: Feb 12, 2012 (registration record). First seen at co.il: Jul 3, 2012 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 5 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Oct 18, 2013 – Sep 3, 2016Zone file: co.il (ns1.spd.co.il, ns2.spd.co.il) were the nameservers listed for best-websites.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Sep 3, 2016 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Aug 21, 2017 – Mar 11, 2019Registrar: Registrar GMO INTERNET, INC. (IANA 49) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Aug 21, 2017 to Mar 11, 2019.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Aug 21, 2017Zone file: Registration records listed wixidns.com nameservers (ns1.wixidns.com, ns2.wixidns.com) for best-websites.net from Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 21, 2017.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Aug 21, 2017Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from co.il to wixidns.com at some point between Sep 3, 2016 and Aug 21, 2017. Last seen at co.il: Sep 3, 2016 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). First seen at wixidns.com: Aug 21, 2017 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 12 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (ICANN zone-file snapshot → registration record)
Apr 3, 2018Zone file: nlrs.jp (danlsx.nlrs.jp, dbnwsx.nlrs.jp) were the nameservers listed for best-websites.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Apr 3, 2018 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Apr 3, 2018Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from wixidns.com to nlrs.jp at some point between Aug 21, 2017 and Apr 3, 2018. Last seen at wixidns.com: Aug 21, 2017 (registration record). First seen at nlrs.jp: Apr 3, 2018 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 7 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → ICANN zone-file snapshot)
Sep 21, 2018 – Mar 11, 2019Zone file: Registration records listed nlrs.jp nameservers (danlsx.nlrs.jp, dbnwsx.nlrs.jp) for best-websites.net from Sep 21, 2018 to Mar 11, 2019.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Dec 4, 2019 – Aug 19, 2020Registrar: Registrar DropCatch.com 520 LLC (IANA 2000) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Dec 4, 2019 to Aug 19, 2020.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Dec 4, 2019 – Jul 3, 2020Zone file: Registration records listed dns.com nameservers (jm1.dns.com, jm2.dns.com) for best-websites.net from Dec 4, 2019 to Jul 3, 2020.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Dec 4, 2019Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from nlrs.jp to dns.com at some point between Mar 11, 2019 and Dec 4, 2019. Last seen at nlrs.jp: Mar 11, 2019 (registration record). First seen at dns.com: Dec 4, 2019 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 9 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Oct 28, 2020 – Aug 2, 2022Registrar: Registrar Squarespace Domains II LLC (IANA 895) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Oct 28, 2020 to Aug 2, 2022.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Oct 28, 2020 – Aug 2, 2022Zone file: Registration records listed Google Domains nameservers (ns-cloud-d1.googledomains.com, ns-cloud-d2.googledomains.com, ns-cloud-d3.googledomains.com…) for best-websites.net from Oct 28, 2020 to Aug 2, 2022.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Oct 28, 2020Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from dns.com to Google Domains at some point between Jul 3, 2020 and Oct 28, 2020. Last seen at dns.com: Jul 3, 2020 (registration record). First seen at Google Domains: Oct 28, 2020 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 4 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Dec 9, 2022Registration: best-websites.net was registered on Dec 9, 2022.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 17, 2026
Feb 17, 2023 – Aug 12, 2023Registrar: Registrar PDXPrivateNames.com LLC (IANA 1228) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for best-websites.net, from Feb 17, 2023 to Aug 12, 2023.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Feb 17, 2023Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Feb 17, 2023. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Feb 17, 2023 – Nov 19, 2023Zone file: Registration records listed o2switch.net nameservers (ns1.o2switch.net, ns2.o2switch.net) for best-websites.net from Feb 17, 2023 to Nov 19, 2023.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Feb 17, 2023Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from Google Domains to o2switch.net at some point between Aug 2, 2022 and Feb 17, 2023. Last seen at Google Domains: Aug 2, 2022 (registration record). First seen at o2switch.net: Feb 17, 2023 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 7 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nov 19, 2023 – Oct 18, 2026Registrar: Registrar NETIM SAS (IANA 1519) in the registration data recorded, first on Nov 19, 2023 and most recently on Oct 18, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 17, 2026
Jun 7, 2024 – May 18, 2025Zone file: Registration records listed netim.net nameservers (ns1.netim.net, ns2.netim.net, ns3.netim.net) for best-websites.net from Jun 7, 2024 to May 18, 2025.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 7, 2024Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from o2switch.net to netim.net at some point between Nov 19, 2023 and Jun 7, 2024. Last seen at o2switch.net: Nov 19, 2023 (registration record). First seen at netim.net: Jun 7, 2024 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 7 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jun 26, 2025 – Jun 15, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (alla.ns.cloudflare.com, tim.ns.cloudflare.com) for best-websites.net from Jun 26, 2025 to Jun 15, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 26, 2025Zone file: best-websites.net's nameservers moved from netim.net to Cloudflare between May 18, 2025 and Jun 26, 2025. Last seen at netim.net: May 18, 2025 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jun 26, 2025 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Mar 26, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 7 certificates for best-websites.net from Mar 26, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 6, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
May 11, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 3 certificates for best-websites.net from May 11, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 5, 2026. Seen in use on Oct 18, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 18, 2026
Jun 27, 2026 – Aug 17, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 17, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
All 4 safety checks passed (Nov 1, 2026).
Automated safety checks
DNS (passed)
HTTPS (passed)
Page metadata (passed)
Security headers (passed)
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Dec 9, 2022 — 3 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: NETIM SAS — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Sep 6, 2026).
latest result
HTTPS request succeeded for www.best-websites.net.
checked Sep 30, 2026
The site on this domain is no longer the one AboutUs first recorded in 2006; it is now used for something different. The domain was registered again on Dec 9, 2022.
We withhold an authority number until independent evidence (global rank, link-graph presence) has accrued. The facts we do have about this site are shown below — we'd rather say “not enough signals yet” than invent a low score.
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 76 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 76 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
No MX and no DMARC (mild)
What best-websites.net said about itself, 2006
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (1 version). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
Welcome to Best Web Sites, A Human Edited Directory of the Best Web Sites on the Internet. Sites can be listed by popularity, voting rank, new listing, and more.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date.