The number of registered .cn domain names has shown some strange trends over the past 3 years. In 2009, we couldn’t have predicted that the number of registered .cn domains would continuously drop in 2010. Similarly, in 2010, we shouldn’t have been able to predict that the drop in registered .cn domains would stop. For a quick view of the trends in 2009, 2010 and January to June 2011, see the 3 graphs below. (You can also see the full graphs further below.)
Since the end of 2009, individuals were no longer allowed to register .cn domain names. This caused a steady drop in the number of .cn domains. Later in 2010, it was announced that the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) was drafting a plan to reopen the registration of .cn domain names to individuals. The idea was to motivate Chinese people to use domains on the .cn TLD instead of other TLDs such as .com. However, nothing has happened since then, so the .cns still remain unavailable to Chinese individuals. Interestingly, the number of registered .cn domains has been increasing throughout 2011, instead of steadily dropping like in 2010.
It’s clear the total number of registered .cn domain names decreased sharply since the change of policy at the end of 2009. This trend seems to have stalled as of 2011 though. Are domain purchasers beginning to warm up to .cn domain names again?
Personally, I’m hoping the government opens up the registration of .cn domain names to individuals again.