How do I find the domain registrar and nameservers used by Shopify?

Summary

To determine the domain registrar and nameservers used by Shopify, multiple strategies are available. If the domain was purchased through Shopify, the registrar information is in the Shopify admin panel. Otherwise, examine other domains hosted by Shopify to gather data, and employ WHOIS lookups (through services like ICANN Lookup) to find the registrar. Shopify often uses Tucows OpenSRS as a reseller, which can be confirmed by checking domain registration records. For nameservers, use online DNS lookup tools (e.g., DNS Checker, Namecheap, Geekflare, Whatsmydns, Cloudflare, Siteground) or command-line tools like `dig` and `nslookup`. WHOIS fingerprinting can also be an option, provided you have API access.

Key findings

  • Shopify Admin: If the domain was purchased via Shopify, registrar info is in the admin panel.
  • Tucows/OpenSRS: Shopify commonly resells through Tucows OpenSRS; verify via records.
  • WHOIS Lookups: WHOIS databases/services (e.g., ICANN Lookup) reveal registrar details.
  • DNS Lookups: Online DNS tools and command-line utilities (`dig`, `nslookup`) identify nameservers.

Key considerations

  • Purchase Source: Approach depends on where the domain was acquired (Shopify or elsewhere).
  • Sample Domains: Having example Shopify domains aids in lookups and fingerprinting.
  • WHOIS API Access: WHOIS API access facilitates more robust fingerprinting.
  • Command-Line Comfort: Familiarity with `dig` and `nslookup` is advantageous.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

To find the domain registrar and nameservers used by Shopify, several methods are suggested. Shopify resells domains through Tucows, which can be confirmed by checking Shopify support or domain registration records. WHOIS fingerprinting or WHOIS database lookups can identify the registrar. For nameservers, online DNS lookup tools like NSLookup, Whois, dig, and nslookup can be used with a known Shopify domain to query DNS records. Various websites such as DNS Checker, Namecheap, Geekflare, and Siteground offer tools to easily find DNS records. Command-line tools like `dig` and `nslookup` are also viable.

Key opinions

  • Registrar: Shopify resells domains through Tucows (OpenSRS).
  • WHOIS Lookup: WHOIS databases and fingerprinting can identify the registrar.
  • DNS Lookup: Online DNS lookup tools reveal nameservers.
  • Command Line: `dig` and `nslookup` command-line tools can query DNS records.

Key considerations

  • Example Domain: Knowing a Shopify store's domain is helpful for lookups.
  • WHOIS API: Access to a WHOIS API enhances fingerprinting capabilities.
  • Tucows Confirmation: Check domain registration records to confirm Tucows/OpenSRS.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares an image from Shopify support confirming they resell through Tucows. Laura Atkins then confirmed this.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange shares that WHOIS databases often contain the registrar information. Many online WHOIS lookup tools are available, and by entering a domain name, you can typically find the registrar listed in the results.

July 2024 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that if you could get an example (or just sign-up yourself) then maybe WHOIS fingerprinting would be another option and presume you have API access to a WHOIS service.

May 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Namecheap explains going to their site, you can find the name servers for your domain easily

August 2021 - Namecheap
Marketer view

Email marketer from Geekflare explains going to their site, you can find the DNS records easily

October 2024 - Geekflare
Marketer view

Email marketer from DNS Checker explains that going to their site ([https://dnschecker.org/](https://dnschecker.org/)) and inputting a domain, you can find the DNS records of any domain - in this case shopify domain.

December 2023 - DNS Checker
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora explains that if you know a Shopify store's domain, you can use online tools like `dig` or `nslookup` from your command line to query the domain's DNS records, which will include the nameservers in use.

March 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Digital Ocean explains how you can find the NS record using command line tools, such as nslookup or dig.

August 2021 - Digital Ocean
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that a simple way to find Shopify's nameservers is to use online DNS lookup tools like NSLookup or Whois. Just enter the Shopify domain (if known) or a known Shopify store domain, and the tool will display the associated nameservers.

July 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Siteground explains going to their site, you can find the DNS records for your domain easily

December 2022 - Siteground

What the experts say
5Expert opinions

To find the domain registrar and nameservers for Shopify domains, experts recommend several approaches. Examining domains hosted by Shopify can reveal registrar and nameserver information. WHOIS lookups are a primary method for identifying the registrar. DNS lookups, using command-line tools like `dig` and `nslookup` or online services, help identify nameservers.

Key opinions

  • Shopify Domain Analysis: Analyzing domains hosted by Shopify can expose registrar and nameserver details.
  • WHOIS Lookup: WHOIS services provide registrar information.
  • DNS Lookup: DNS lookups identify nameservers using tools like `dig` and `nslookup`.

Key considerations

  • Iterative Approach: Perform multiple lookups on different Shopify stores to gather comprehensive data.
  • Tool Familiarity: Understanding and using command-line tools like `dig` and `nslookup` can be beneficial.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that one way to identify the domain registrar is by using a WHOIS lookup service. These services query the WHOIS database, which often contains the registrar information for a given domain.

May 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that one can probably see it by looking up a few domains hosted by Shopify purchased through them to give the data.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the nameservers for a domain can be identified through a DNS lookup. This can be done using command-line tools like `dig` or `nslookup`, or by using online DNS lookup services, which query the DNS records for the domain.

January 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains their own domain is using <http://nsone.net|nsone.net> / <http://dnsimple.com|dnsimple.com>

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that usually the WHOIS service will report the registrar and that’s where she would start - just do a bunch of lookups on shops she knows are on Shopify and start digging.

August 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Finding the domain registrar and nameservers for Shopify involves several documented methods. If the domain was purchased through Shopify, the registrar is listed in the admin panel. ICANN Lookup can retrieve registration details for any domain. Shopify uses Tucows OpenSRS as a reseller, verifiable via domain registration records. Websites like Whatsmydns and Cloudflare allow users to easily find nameserver records.

Key findings

  • Shopify Admin Panel: Registrar info is in Shopify admin if purchased through Shopify.
  • ICANN Lookup: ICANN Lookup provides domain registration details.
  • Tucows/OpenSRS: Shopify resells through Tucows OpenSRS.
  • Whatsmydns & Cloudflare: These sites offer tools to easily find nameserver records.

Key considerations

  • Purchase Location: The method to find the registrar depends on where the domain was purchased.
  • OpenSRS Verification: Verify OpenSRS by checking registration records.
Technical article

Documentation from ICANN Lookup explains that using the ICANN Lookup tool ([https://lookup.icann.org/](https://lookup.icann.org/)), you can enter a domain name and retrieve the registration details, including the registrar. This works for any domain, including those potentially registered through Shopify.

August 2023 - ICANN Lookup
Technical article

Documentation from Cloudflare explains going to their site, you can find the nameserver records easily

July 2023 - Cloudflare
Technical article

Documentation from Whatsmydns explains going to their site, you can find the nameserver records easily

July 2024 - Whatsmydns
Technical article

Documentation from Shopify Help Center explains that if you purchased your domain through Shopify, you can find the registrar information within your Shopify admin panel under Settings > Domains. The registrar is listed in the domain details.

May 2022 - Shopify Help Center
Technical article

Documentation from Tucows explains that Shopify uses Tucows OpenSRS as a domain reseller. This can be confirmed by checking domain registration records, which will often list OpenSRS as the backend provider.

April 2022 - Tucows