Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is duckduckgo.com legit or a scam?
duckduckgo.com was registered Nov 11, 2007 (18 years old), per public registration records. 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 duckduckgo.com?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for duckduckgo.com. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
When was duckduckgo.com registered?
duckduckgo.com's registration dates to Nov 11, 2007 (18 years old), per public registration records. NameCheap, Inc. is the registrar on record today.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
DuckDuckGo - Protection. Privacy. Peace of mind.
DuckDuckGo is a search engine and privacy-focused internet company offering search, email protection, and browser products. It serves users seeking alternatives to mainstream search engines with privacy-first design. The site emphasizes control over personal information without requiring tradeoffs between privacy and functionality.
AboutUs Site Facts
Independent record by AboutUs · not written by duckduckgo.com
duckduckgo.com
aboutus.com/duckduckgo.comScores refreshed Oct 25, 2026Not an official or audited rating
SignalMeasured
Authority
Link-graph prominence, 0–99
98
Safety
No known risk flags
Known risk signals, not a check pass rate
90
Registered
Nov 11, 200718 years old · RDAP fetched Oct 25, 2026
Registrar
NameCheap, Inc.
Measurements, not a verdict about the site. Authority scores draw on Open PageRank link-graph data.
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 18 years ago · on AboutUs since 2008 · 2 registrar changes since Sep 27, 2011 · 1 ownership change since 2009 · last checked Oct 25, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredNov 11, 2007duckduckgo.com was registered on Nov 11, 2007.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageFeb 12, 2008 – Nov 14, 2013An AboutUs wiki page described duckduckgo.com from Feb 12, 2008 to Nov 14, 2013 (59 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Registrar
GoDaddy.com, LLCSep 27, 2011Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the registration data recorded on Sep 27, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)ENOM, INC.ENOM, INC.May 9, 2012 – Jan 8, 2018
Ownership
Ownership recordsJan 11, 2009 – Jun 18, 2026Registration records for duckduckgo.com are held from Jan 11, 2009 to Jun 18, 2026 (1,355 records). 1 change of registrant name or organization is marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Zone file
Nameservers: DNS Made EasySep 27, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Registration records listed DNS Made Easy nameservers (ns0.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns1.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns2.dnsmadeeasy.com…) for duckduckgo.com from Sep 27, 2011 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
Let's EncryptAug 7, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Let's Encrypt issued 149 certificates for duckduckgo.com from Aug 7, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 24, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)DigiCert Inc
2010201520202025Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (22)
Nov 11, 2007Registration: duckduckgo.com was registered on Nov 11, 2007.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Feb 12, 2008 – Nov 14, 2013AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described duckduckgo.com from Feb 12, 2008 to Nov 14, 2013 (59 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jan 11, 2009 – Jun 18, 2026Ownership: Registration records for duckduckgo.com are held from Jan 11, 2009 to Jun 18, 2026 (1,355 records). 1 change of registrant name or organization is marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jul 1, 2009AboutUs record: “Duck Duck Go is a new search engine which claims to provide users with better results and less garbage as compared to its competitors. The unique and catchy name, along with innovative technology, could help Duck Duck G…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2009
Sep 27, 2011Registrar: Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the registration data recorded on Sep 27, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Sep 27, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Registration records listed DNS Made Easy nameservers (ns0.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns1.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns2.dnsmadeeasy.com…) for duckduckgo.com from Sep 27, 2011 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.
Said about itself in 2009
Jul 1, 2009
“Duck Duck Go is a new search engine which claims to provide users with better results and less garbage as compared to its competitors. The unique and catchy name, along with innovative technology, could help Duck Duck G…”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2009
Current AboutUs recordJun 29, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Oct 25, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Registrar ENOM, INC. (IANA 48) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for duckduckgo.com, from May 9, 2012 to Jan 8, 2018.
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
NAMECHEAP INCNAMECHEAP INCFeb 15, 2018 – Oct 23, 2026 (latest)Registrar NAMECHEAP INC (IANA 1068) in the registration data recorded, first on Feb 15, 2018 and most recently on Oct 23, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Ownership change
Jun 17, 2016
The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jun 17, 2016. Who it changed to is in the full report.
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
1 ownership change, 2009–2026
Nameservers: DNS Made EasyOct 18, 2013 – Apr 1, 2016DNS Made Easy (ns0.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns1.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns2.dnsmadeeasy.com…) were the nameservers listed for duckduckgo.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 1, 2016 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: DNS Made EasyApr 2, 2016 – Jan 8, 2018Registration records listed DNS Made Easy nameservers (ns0.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns1.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns2.dnsmadeeasy.com…) for duckduckgo.com from Apr 2, 2016 to Jan 8, 2018. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Feb 15, 2018 – Apr 2, 2018Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1027.awsdns-00.org, ns-175.awsdns-21.com, ns-1816.awsdns-35.co.uk…) for duckduckgo.com from Feb 15, 2018 to Apr 2, 2018. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Amazon Route 53Feb 15, 2018duckduckgo.com's nameservers moved from DNS Made Easy to Amazon Route 53 between Jan 8, 2018 and Feb 15, 2018. Last seen at DNS Made Easy: Jan 8, 2018 (registration record). First seen at Amazon Route 53: Feb 15, 2018 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Apr 3, 2018Amazon Route 53 (ns-1027.awsdns-00.org, ns-175.awsdns-21.com, ns-1816.awsdns-35.co.uk…) were the nameservers listed for duckduckgo.com 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)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Apr 4, 2018 – Jan 18, 2020Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1027.awsdns-00.org, ns-175.awsdns-21.com, ns-1816.awsdns-35.co.uk…) for duckduckgo.com from Apr 4, 2018 to Jan 18, 2020. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: NS1Nameservers: NS1Jan 23, 2020 – Jun 18, 2026Registration records listed NS1 nameservers (dns1.p05.nsone.net, dns2.p05.nsone.net, dns3.p05.nsone.net…) for duckduckgo.com from Jan 23, 2020 to Jun 18, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to NS1Jan 23, 2020duckduckgo.com's nameservers moved from Amazon Route 53 to NS1 between Jan 18, 2020 and Jan 23, 2020. Last seen at Amazon Route 53: Jan 18, 2020 (registration record). First seen at NS1: Jan 23, 2020 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Seen in the .com zone fileSep 8, 2026 – Sep 24, 2026 (latest)First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Sep 24, 2026. Nameservers on Sep 24, 2026: dns1.p05.nsone.net, dns2.p05.nsone.net, dns3.p05.nsone.net, dns4.p05.nsone.net….Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Sep 24, 2026
Sep 2, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026
DigiCert Inc issued 2 certificates for duckduckgo.com from Sep 2, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 7, 2026.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Certificate from DigiCert IncMay 5, 2026 – Oct 23, 2026 (latest)DigiCert Inc certificate valid May 5, 2026 to Nov 19, 2026, as seen on Oct 23, 2026.Source: TLS check, Oct 23, 2026
Zone file:
Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
May 9, 2012 – Jan 8, 2018Registrar: Registrar ENOM, INC. (IANA 48) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for duckduckgo.com, from May 9, 2012 to Jan 8, 2018.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Oct 18, 2013 – Apr 1, 2016Zone file: DNS Made Easy (ns0.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns1.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns2.dnsmadeeasy.com…) were the nameservers listed for duckduckgo.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 1, 2016 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Apr 2, 2016 – Jan 8, 2018Zone file: Registration records listed DNS Made Easy nameservers (ns0.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns1.dnsmadeeasy.com, ns2.dnsmadeeasy.com…) for duckduckgo.com from Apr 2, 2016 to Jan 8, 2018. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 17, 2016Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jun 17, 2016. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Feb 15, 2018 – Oct 23, 2026Registrar: Registrar NAMECHEAP INC (IANA 1068) in the registration data recorded, first on Feb 15, 2018 and most recently on Oct 23, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Feb 15, 2018 – Apr 2, 2018Zone file: Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1027.awsdns-00.org, ns-175.awsdns-21.com, ns-1816.awsdns-35.co.uk…) for duckduckgo.com from Feb 15, 2018 to Apr 2, 2018. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Feb 15, 2018Zone file: duckduckgo.com's nameservers moved from DNS Made Easy to Amazon Route 53 between Jan 8, 2018 and Feb 15, 2018. Last seen at DNS Made Easy: Jan 8, 2018 (registration record). First seen at Amazon Route 53: Feb 15, 2018 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Apr 3, 2018Zone file: Amazon Route 53 (ns-1027.awsdns-00.org, ns-175.awsdns-21.com, ns-1816.awsdns-35.co.uk…) were the nameservers listed for duckduckgo.com 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 4, 2018 – Jan 18, 2020Zone file: Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1027.awsdns-00.org, ns-175.awsdns-21.com, ns-1816.awsdns-35.co.uk…) for duckduckgo.com from Apr 4, 2018 to Jan 18, 2020. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jan 23, 2020 – Jun 18, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed NS1 nameservers (dns1.p05.nsone.net, dns2.p05.nsone.net, dns3.p05.nsone.net…) for duckduckgo.com from Jan 23, 2020 to Jun 18, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jan 23, 2020Zone file: duckduckgo.com's nameservers moved from Amazon Route 53 to NS1 between Jan 18, 2020 and Jan 23, 2020. Last seen at Amazon Route 53: Jan 18, 2020 (registration record). First seen at NS1: Jan 23, 2020 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
May 5, 2026 – Oct 23, 2026Certificate: DigiCert Inc certificate valid May 5, 2026 to Nov 19, 2026, as seen on Oct 23, 2026.Source: TLS check, Oct 23, 2026
Jun 29, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Oct 25, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Aug 7, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 149 certificates for duckduckgo.com from Aug 7, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 24, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Sep 2, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Certificate: DigiCert Inc issued 2 certificates for duckduckgo.com from Sep 2, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 7, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Sep 8, 2026 – Sep 24, 2026Zone file: First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Sep 24, 2026. Nameservers on Sep 24, 2026: dns1.p05.nsone.net, dns2.p05.nsone.net, dns3.p05.nsone.net, dns4.p05.nsone.net….Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Sep 24, 2026
All 4 safety checks passed (Oct 26, 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 Nov 11, 2007 — 18 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: NameCheap, Inc. — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Jul 23, 2026).
latest result
HTTPS request succeeded for duckduckgo.com.
checked Sep 29, 2026
The site names DuckDuckGo as the organisation behind it.
checked Sep 29, 2026
The live front page reads as a software or technology site that publishes free content supported by ads, mainly for the public as customers.
Authority 98/100— ahead of 98% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
98 is a percentile: higher than 98% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #420)+12
Verified continuity: 19.0 years (RDAP registration)+10
Identity corroboration (capped)+4
Security & email hygiene+5
Calibration adjustment (published map)+22
Model score: 53/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 98/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
What duckduckgo.com said about itself, 2009
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
2009
Duck Duck Go is a new search engine which claims to provide users with better results and less garbage as compared to its competitors. The unique and catchy name, along with innovative technology, could help Duck Duck Go define the future of online search -- if the company can deliver on its promises.
Now
DuckDuckGo is a search engine and privacy-focused internet company offering search, email protection, and browser products. It serves users seeking alternatives to mainstream search engines with privacy-first design. The site emphasizes control over personal information without requiring tradeoffs between privacy and functionality.
AboutUs summary of the current website, Sep 30, 2026.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date; self-description below is the 2013 record.
2007
Domain registered (Nov 11, 2007).
2008
First tracked by AboutUs (Feb 12, 2008); profile edited 59 times through 2013.
2013
Self-description at the time:
“DuckDuckGo.com - Upcoming search engine that respects your privacy.”
✓ domain continuity 18 years registered✓ live verified Oct 26, 2026
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 1 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 1 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
No caution flags in the available scoring observations; this is not a complete safety assessment