Ask HN: Why do registrars force you to use their nameservers first?

Posted by quickthrower2 on Friday April 10, 2020 @12:36AM
from the ask-hn dept.

It seems like when I register a domain I have to go in and change the name-servers, then wait 48 hours for that to switch over, but why do they do this? Why can't they let me choose the name-servers prior to registering and start off with the right settings?

( 4 comments | 3 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: Why do registrars force you to use their nameserv... by jamieweb on Friday April 10, 2020 @10:31AM (#22833370)

For 'consumer' registrars, it's probably because 95% of their customers are small non-tech businesses who just want a website and don't know what DNS is, etc.

Nowadays, name server changes for well-maintained TLDs usually propagate within an hour or so based on my experience.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do registrars force you to use their nameserv... by quickthrower2 on Monday April 13, 2020 @06:22PM (#22860850)

I just did one and changed it immediately and before querying the domain and it was OK.

However I have seen it take longer, and it might be because of caching by my ISP or something.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do registrars force you to use their nameserv... by dylz on Friday April 10, 2020 @12:43AM (#22830028)

They don't. Good ones let you choose at registration time. Mine lets you pick a default in the first place of your own..

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do registrars force you to use their nameserv... by 3xblah on Friday April 10, 2020 @02:15AM (#22830463)

Perhaps they have been "parking" the domain previously, very common amongst some large registrars

[ Parent | on HN ]