In January 2023, a simple message appeared on the Freenom website that sent shockwaves across the internet:
“Important Notice: Because of technical issues, the Freenom application for new registrations is temporarily out of order. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience. We are working on a solution and hope to resume operation shortly.”
At the time, few could have predicted that this announcement marked the beginning of the end for the world’s most famous free domain name provider. Just months later, Freenom would find itself embroiled in lawsuits, controversies, and the unraveling of a business model once hailed as revolutionary.
The Rise of Freenom
Freenom made its mark in the early 2010s by offering something almost too good to be true: free domain names. Extensions like .tk, .ml, .cf, .ga, and .gq became popular worldwide, allowing anyone to start a website without spending a dime.
This generosity attracted millions of users. Students, small businesses, and hobbyists flocked to the platform, turning their ideas into websites. Freenom’s revenue model was simple — they earned money through parked page advertisements when domains weren’t actively used.
For a while, it worked. Freenom stood out as a pioneer in democratizing access to the internet.
Trouble on the Horizon
The cracks began to show in 2016, when Google stopped displaying ads on Freenom’s domains. With its primary source of revenue gone, the company’s financial foundation began to weaken.
Meanwhile, Freenom’s owner shifted focus to another venture — a payment provider that proved profitable — leaving the domain business to flounder.
By 2021, studies revealed a troubling reality: Freenom’s domains were among the most abused by phishers and scammers. Free domains had become a haven for cybercriminals, tarnishing the company’s reputation and raising serious questions about abuse management.
Legal Battles and Growing Pressure
In March 2023, Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) filed a lawsuit against Freenom, accusing the registrar of:
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Turning a blind eye to abuse complaints
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Facilitating phishing campaigns targeting Meta users
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Engaging in cybersquatting and trademark infringement
At the same time, a French investor who owned 25% of Freenom brought a case to the Business Court of Amsterdam, alleging corporate mismanagement.
Meanwhile, countries that had partnered with Freenom to provide free domains were growing restless. Governments in places like Gabon (.ga), Mali (.ml), and the Central African Republic (.cf) became frustrated that their extensions were associated with scams and spam. As contracts expired, most opted not to renew.
By 2023, only .tk seemed likely to survive, but even it faced widespread blocking by hosting providers, undermining its future.
A Business Model That Couldn’t Last
Freenom wasn’t alone. A decade ago, several companies attempted to offer free domains, but most collapsed due to abuse, lawsuits, and a lack of sustainable monetization. For example, .cc was shut down after facing its own legal battles.
Freenom’s owner himself admitted in interviews that it was “the worst business model ever.” He had already moved on, even launching an FM radio station in the Netherlands — a telling sign of where his focus truly lay.
Google Trends data paints a clear picture: interest in Freenom has steadily declined, reflecting its fading relevance in the internet landscape.
The End of an Era
Freenom’s story is more than just the collapse of a company — it’s the story of the end of free domains. Once celebrated as a way to bring the world online, the model proved unsustainable in the face of abuse, legal challenges, and evolving digital ecosystems.
As we look back, the rise and fall of Freenom highlights the volatile nature of the internet industry. What begins as innovation can quickly unravel when profitability and trust come into question.
The fate of Freenom may still hang in the balance, but one thing is certain: the age of free domains is fading into history.
✍️ What do you think — was Freenom a visionary idea ahead of its time, or was it always destined to fail?
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