Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is pgdp.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 pgdp.net?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for pgdp.net. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
Lifeline · pgdp.net over time
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 23 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 1 registrar change since Aug 24, 2011 · no registrant change on record since 2007 · last checked Sep 11, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredMar 25, 2003pgdp.net was registered on Mar 25, 2003.Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 11, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 21, 2006 – Nov 5, 2013An AboutUs wiki page described pgdp.net from Jun 21, 2006 to Nov 5, 2013 (3 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Registrar
Network Solutions, LLCNetwork Solutions, LLCAug 24, 2011 – Feb 1, 2026Registrar Network Solutions, LLC (IANA 2) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for pgdp.net, from Aug 24, 2011 to Feb 1, 2026.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Registrant
Registrant recordsJul 25, 2007 – May 21, 2026Registration records for pgdp.net are held from Jul 25, 2007 to May 21, 2026 (106 records). None shows a change of registrant. 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
No registrant changes recorded, 2007–2026
Zone file
No nameserver records held, Feb 2009 – Apr 2011Nameservers: theplanet.comJul 25, 2007 – Feb 17, 2009Registration records listed theplanet.com nameservers (ns1.theplanet.com, ns2.theplanet.com) for pgdp.net from Jul 25, 2007 to Feb 17, 2009.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
Let's EncryptMar 31, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026Let's Encrypt issued 4 certificates for pgdp.net from Mar 31, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 26, 2026. The check on Sep 11, 2026 saw it, expired Oct 27, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Sep 11, 2026
20052010201520202025Apr ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (19)
Mar 25, 2003Registration: pgdp.net was registered on Mar 25, 2003.Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 11, 2026
Jun 21, 2006 – Nov 5, 2013AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described pgdp.net from Jun 21, 2006 to Nov 5, 2013 (3 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “Founded to support the digitization of public domain books. Originally conceived to assist Project Gutenberg, Distributed Proofreaders is now the main source of PG e-books.”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Jul 25, 2007 – May 21, 2026Registrant: Registration records for pgdp.net are held from Jul 25, 2007 to May 21, 2026 (106 records). None shows a change of registrant. 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
Jul 25, 2007 – Feb 17, 2009Zone file: Registration records listed theplanet.com nameservers (ns1.theplanet.com, ns2.theplanet.com) for pgdp.net from Jul 25, 2007 to Feb 17, 2009.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Apr 3, 2011 – Aug 30, 2011
Said about itself in 2006
Jul 1, 2006
“Founded to support the digitization of public domain books. Originally conceived to assist Project Gutenberg, Distributed Proofreaders is now the main source of PG e-books.”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Current AboutUs recordJun 19, 2026 – Aug 23, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 23, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
GoDaddy.com, LLC
May 21, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026 (latest)
Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the registration data recorded, first on May 21, 2026 and most recently on Sep 13, 2026.
Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 11, 2026
Nameservers: editdns.netApr 3, 2011 – Aug 30, 2011Registration records listed editdns.net nameservers (ns3.eu.editdns.net, ns4.eu.editdns.net, ns4.us.editdns.net…) for pgdp.net from Apr 3, 2011 to Aug 30, 2011.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to editdns.netApr 3, 2011pgdp.net's nameservers moved from theplanet.com to editdns.net at some point between Feb 17, 2009 and Apr 3, 2011. Last seen at theplanet.com: Feb 17, 2009 (registration record). First seen at editdns.net: Apr 3, 2011 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the about 2 years 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: Oracle DynSep 22, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Registration records listed Oracle Dyn nameservers (ns1134.dns.dyn.com, ns2159.dns.dyn.com, ns3135.dns.dyn.com…) for pgdp.net from Sep 22, 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)
DNS moved to Oracle DynSep 22, 2011pgdp.net's nameservers moved from editdns.net to Oracle Dyn between Aug 30, 2011 and Sep 22, 2011. Last seen at editdns.net: Aug 30, 2011 (registration record). First seen at Oracle Dyn: Sep 22, 2011 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Oracle DynNameservers: Oracle DynOct 18, 2013 – Apr 3, 2018Oracle Dyn (ns1134.dns.dyn.com, ns2159.dns.dyn.com, ns3135.dns.dyn.com…) were the nameservers listed for pgdp.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: Oracle DynApr 4, 2018 – Jun 25, 2019Registration records listed Oracle Dyn nameservers (ns1134.dns.dyn.com, ns2159.dns.dyn.com, ns3135.dns.dyn.com…) for pgdp.net from Apr 4, 2018 to Jun 25, 2019. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: CloudflareNameservers: CloudflareJul 30, 2019 – May 21, 2026Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (irma.ns.cloudflare.com, rick.ns.cloudflare.com) for pgdp.net from Jul 30, 2019 to May 21, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to CloudflareJul 30, 2019pgdp.net's nameservers moved from Oracle Dyn to Cloudflare between Jun 25, 2019 and Jul 30, 2019. Last seen at Oracle Dyn: Jun 25, 2019 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jul 30, 2019 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Google Trust Services
Apr 9, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026
Google Trust Services issued 9 certificates for pgdp.net from Apr 9, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 1, 2027.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Sectigo LimitedMay 28, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026Sectigo Limited issued 4 certificates for pgdp.net from May 28, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 1, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Zone file: Registration records listed editdns.net nameservers (ns3.eu.editdns.net, ns4.eu.editdns.net, ns4.us.editdns.net…) for pgdp.net from Apr 3, 2011 to Aug 30, 2011.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Apr 3, 2011Zone file: pgdp.net's nameservers moved from theplanet.com to editdns.net at some point between Feb 17, 2009 and Apr 3, 2011. Last seen at theplanet.com: Feb 17, 2009 (registration record). First seen at editdns.net: Apr 3, 2011 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the about 2 years 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)
Aug 24, 2011 – Feb 1, 2026Registrar: Registrar Network Solutions, LLC (IANA 2) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for pgdp.net, from Aug 24, 2011 to Feb 1, 2026.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Sep 22, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Zone file: Registration records listed Oracle Dyn nameservers (ns1134.dns.dyn.com, ns2159.dns.dyn.com, ns3135.dns.dyn.com…) for pgdp.net from Sep 22, 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)
Sep 22, 2011Zone file: pgdp.net's nameservers moved from editdns.net to Oracle Dyn between Aug 30, 2011 and Sep 22, 2011. Last seen at editdns.net: Aug 30, 2011 (registration record). First seen at Oracle Dyn: Sep 22, 2011 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Oct 18, 2013 – Apr 3, 2018Zone file: Oracle Dyn (ns1134.dns.dyn.com, ns2159.dns.dyn.com, ns3135.dns.dyn.com…) were the nameservers listed for pgdp.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Apr 4, 2018 – Jun 25, 2019Zone file: Registration records listed Oracle Dyn nameservers (ns1134.dns.dyn.com, ns2159.dns.dyn.com, ns3135.dns.dyn.com…) for pgdp.net from Apr 4, 2018 to Jun 25, 2019. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jul 30, 2019 – May 21, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (irma.ns.cloudflare.com, rick.ns.cloudflare.com) for pgdp.net from Jul 30, 2019 to May 21, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jul 30, 2019Zone file: pgdp.net's nameservers moved from Oracle Dyn to Cloudflare between Jun 25, 2019 and Jul 30, 2019. Last seen at Oracle Dyn: Jun 25, 2019 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jul 30, 2019 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Mar 31, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 4 certificates for pgdp.net from Mar 31, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 26, 2026. The check on Sep 11, 2026 saw it, expired Oct 27, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Sep 11, 2026
Apr 9, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 9 certificates for pgdp.net from Apr 9, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 1, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
May 21, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026Registrar: Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the registration data recorded, first on May 21, 2026 and most recently on Sep 13, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 11, 2026
May 28, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026Certificate: Sectigo Limited issued 4 certificates for pgdp.net from May 28, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 1, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jun 19, 2026 – Aug 23, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 23, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
3 of 4 safety checks passed (Nov 8, 2026).
Registered 2003 · site is live · HTTPS valid
Pgdp.net Preserving history one page at a time
Distributed Proofreaders (pgdp.net) is a volunteer-powered platform founded to support the digitization of public domain books, serving as the main source of e-books for Project Gutenberg.
Add the HSTS, Content-Security-Policy, and X-Frame-Options response headers.
AboutUs has not vetted this site. Everything below is what we could measure automatically. Anything you do on the site — paying, sharing personal details, downloading — is between you and the site, not AboutUs.
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Mar 25, 2003 — 23 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: GoDaddy.com, LLC — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Jul 25, 2026).
latest result
HTTPS request succeeded for www.pgdp.net.
checked Sep 30, 2026
The live front page reads as an education or reference site that is funded by donations or members.
Authority 48/100— ahead of 48% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
48 is a percentile: higher than 48% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #175,473)+6
Verified continuity: 23.6 years (RDAP registration)+10
Security & email hygiene+2
Calibration adjustment (published map)+8
Model score: 26/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 48/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
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.
What pgdp.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
Founded to support the digitization of public domain books. Originally conceived to assist Project Gutenberg, Distributed Proofreaders is now the main source of PG e-books.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date.