The latest .ie Domain Profile Report 2023, launched recently, reveals that 48,689 new domains were registered up to 31st December 2023, a modest increase of 0.34% on the previous year. These new domains take the total .ie database to 328,245, representing a marginally small net reduction on 2022.
Now in its ninth year, the Report is an annual exploration of the .ie database and is published by .ie, the national registry for .ie domain names. It analyses the entire database that sectors domains are operating in and counties and countries they are registered in. It also highlights several regulatory changes that will come into effect in 2024 and which will impact the wider digital landscape.
Strength of .ie cybersecurity services
The .ie Domain Profile Report shows a slight increase in the number of cyberattacks (552 in 2023) on the .ie namespace vs 2022. These attacks ranged from phishing, web shell and website defamation to shopping site skimmers and survey scams. Phishing scams were by far the most prevalent of all cyber security attacks, representing 49% of the overall total. However, .ie websites boast significantly lower levels of spam and cyber threats, such as phishing, malware and botnets, when compared to other top-level domains. The SpamHaus Project, an international non-profit organisation that tracks spam and related cyber threats such as phishing, malware and botnets, collates a Badness Index for top level domains, with .ie domains ranking at 0.1% / 0.00.
of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.
Low Levels of eCommerce Functionality across .ie domain database
Over one in three (31.8%) of new .ie domain registrants declared themselves as ‘commercial’ in 2023 while just over one in ten (11.43%) .ie domains have e-Commerce functionality on their websites. Digitalisation is essential to business and it is clear that Ireland needs to do more to help SMEs survive and thrive online.
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Neale Richmond said, “This report from .ie highlights just how important digitalisation and e-Commerce is for Irish businesses. While many companies may have an online presence, be that a ‘shop window’ or click and collect, the option to shop online is hugely important for customers both in Ireland and abroad. This will open businesses up to new markets and more customers. There are a number of supports available for businesses of all sizes who want to improve their digital footprint, from the Local Enterprise Office to Enterprise Ireland, and I would encourage all businesses to avail of these as the opportunities that come with an enhanced online
presence are endless.”
There has been a considerable increase in the use of third-party security features with 70% of content rich .ie websites now being secured with a security certificate (+18.1% YoY).
‘Business and Industrial’ websites are the most popular category of .ie domains with 16.6% of the overall total. That is followed by ‘home & garden’ with 7.9%, arts and entertainment (5.8%) while travel (2.8%), finance (3%) and autos & vehicles are amongst the least popular categories.
Additional Domain Database Findings
Donegal recorded the largest percentage growth (+34.55%) in new .ie domain registrations compared to 2022. Amongst the border counties, Sligo has shown strong growth of 16.91% in 2023 vs 2022. In Leinster, Westmeath leads the way with 18.72 % YoY growth compared to 2022 while Waterford also
features in the top performers with a 16.65% increase in new .ie domain registrations 2023 vs 2022.
Keywords used in domain registrations continue to provide interesting insights as 24 counties had their county name and/or Ireland as one of their top keywords in 2023. Green, Solar, Fest, Kebab and Pizza are among the other top keywords used.
The Report 2023 can be viewed here, www.weare.ie/ie-domain-profile-report/
