VeriSign Surpasses 182 Million Domain Names with Record Registrations and Strong Financial Performance
VeriSign, a leading provider of domain name registry services, has reported strong financial and operational performance in the third quarter of 2026. According to Jim Bidzos, Executive Chairman, President, and CEO, VeriSign delivered "strong results" both operationally and financially.
The company's combined .com and .net domain name base now totals 182.5 million names, representing a 6.1% year-over-year increase. This growth is attributed to a record 13.1 million new registrations processed during the third quarter, up from 12.7 million in the previous quarter and 10.6 million in the same period last year.
VeriSign's revenue also saw a significant increase of 5.7% year-over-year, with the company returning $1.14 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends over the past 12 months. Notably, VeriSign's board of directors approved a cash dividend of $0.81 per share, payable on November 24th, 2026.
The company attributes its robust demand for domain names to the growing trend of online presence and digital credibility. Jim Bidzos noted that registrars have successfully engaged with VeriSign's marketing programs, and AI tools are making content and website creation faster and easier.
Geographically, the U.S. and EMEA regions saw the strongest growth during the third quarter, driven by factors such as customer acquisition and the increasing importance of domain names in establishing digital credibility.
Looking ahead, VeriSign has increased its guidance for domain name base growth to between 6.5% and 7% for 2026, based on trends observed in the first three quarters of the year. The company is also preparing for the launch of .web, which will open up new opportunities for registrants.
