What is ICANN?

Every second, websites load, emails get delivered, and servers sync worldwide. Behind this smooth experience is a quiet coordinator ensuring everything stays organized.

That’s ICANN — the invisible backbone of your online world.

You might never visit its website, but whenever you register a domain, visit a site, or send emails, ICANN is hard at work. It connects names to numbers, keeps digital addresses tidy, and ensures online traffic reaches the right place.

Let’s explore what ICANN is, what it does, and why it matters for anyone building or managing anything on the internet.

What is ICANN?

ICANN stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

It’s a non‑profit organization that oversees critical systems keeping the internet running smoothly. Think of it as the digital traffic controller that manages domain names, IP addresses, DNS root zones, and more.

Without ICANN, the internet wouldn’t know:

• where to find your website
• how emails reach the right inbox
• which domain belongs to whom
• or how to avoid conflicts or security issues

In short, ICANN brings order to the global digital space.

What exactly does ICANN do?

1) It manages domain names

Every domain — like google.com, safaricom.co.ke, or org.africa — follows rules set by ICANN. It oversees:

• who can register a domain
• how domains are structured (e.g. .com, .net, .africa, .ke)
• how domain disputes are resolved
• the release of new domain extensions like .tech or .store

2) It allocates IP addresses

Just like your house has a street address, every device on the internet has a unique IP address. ICANN, through its IANA department, works with regional bodies like AFRINIC (Africa) to distribute these addresses fairly.

3) It manages the DNS root system

The DNS — or Domain Name System — is like the internet’s phonebook. ICANN controls the root zone, which is the top level that connects all domain names to their respective IP addresses. Without this, websites would be impossible to find.

4) It accredits registrars

Only ICANN-accredited registrars can legally sell and manage top level domains.

These include:

• Truehost Kenya
• GoDaddy
• Namecheap
• Google Domains

ICANN ensures these companies follow strict global rules and policies.

Where do you encounter ICANN?

Even if you’ve never been to icann.org, you’ve likely:

• received an email asking you to verify domain ownership
• transferred a domain and had to unlock it
• looked up WHOIS records for a domain
• had a domain expire and seen a warning

All these steps exist because of ICANN’s global policies.

When you register a domain through Truehost, for example, the verification email you receive is part of ICANN’s compliance process — it ensures the domain record is accurate and owned by a real person.

Key terms ICANN deals with (and what they mean)

Term	What it means
Domain name	A human-readable web address like calc.ke or moneyspace.africa
TLD	Top-Level Domain — like .com, .org, .africa
Registrar	A company that sells domain names (e.g. Truehost)
Registry	The operator of a TLD (e.g. KeNIC for .ke)
WHOIS	A public record showing domain owner and contacts
DNS	Translates domain names into IP addresses
IANA	ICANN department managing IPs, root zones, and protocols

ICANN vs IANA — what’s the difference?

ICANN is the parent organization.

IANA — the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority — is the technical division within ICANN. It’s the part that actually manages:

• IP blocks
• DNS root servers
• Protocol parameters

Why ICANN matters to you

Even if your website is just a blog or portfolio, ICANN plays a crucial role in:

• protecting your domain name from hijacking
• making sure your site doesn’t clash with someone else’s
• keeping the entire DNS system reliable and secure
• maintaining internet trust globally
• ensuring you can switch registrars or sell your domain

And it all happens without you needing to do anything — unless you skip verification or miss a renewal notice.

ICANN fees: What are they and who pays?

Most people never notice it, but ICANN charges a mandatory fee of $0.18 per domain per year.

This fee is usually included in the price you pay your registrar. So if your .com domain costs $10.99, that includes:

• a registrar fee
• a registry fee
• the $0.18 ICANN fee

Registrars are required to collect and remit this fee to ICANN. It helps fund their operations, global policy work, and maintenance of the DNS infrastructure.

About ICANN as an organization

Here’s a quick summary of what ICANN looks like internally.

Item	Detail
Full name	Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
Founded	1998
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California, USA
Website	https://icann.org
Structure	Multi-stakeholder, non-profit
Scope	Global — affects every domain worldwide

Register and manage your domain the smart way

If you’re in Kenya — or anywhere in Africa — and want a reliable, ICANN-compliant registrar, start with Truehost Kenya.

You get:

• free DNS management
• domain ID protection (WHOIS privacy)
• fast registration and support
• local and international domains
• low prices, with no hidden ICANN fee surprises

Secure your domain with confidence — visit Truehost today.

Final thoughts

So, what is ICANN?

It’s not just an acronym buried in fine print. ICANN is the global manager of internet names and addresses — the one keeping domain chaos from happening.

Understanding ICANN gives you a stronger grip on your domain, your brand, and your digital identity.

Need help verifying your domain, checking a WHOIS record, or transferring your name? Let me know — I’ll help you sort it out.