Domain Abuse Transparency

See What’s Happening With Your Domain Abuse Case

When a domain receives an abuse report, NiceNIC gives you visibility into the current case status, domain impact, review progress, important timing, complaint information and recommended next steps directly in your account.

Abuse handling should not feel like a black box.

For resellers managing larger portfolios, abuse-related status information can also be monitored through NiceNIC Reseller API v2.

See the Abuse Review Process Explore Abuse & Compliance API
Domain Abuse Handling Process Health Check
Current Case Status Under Review No immediate restriction
Current Case Status Pending ClientHold At risk of restriction
Current Case Status ClientHold Currently restricted
Current Case Status Closed No immediate restriction
See the status, impact, timing and next step — from review through restriction or case closure.
Cases may follow different review paths and may be closed at different stages.
Current Case StatusKnow the active handling stage.
Current Domain ImpactSee whether the domain is affected now.
Important TimingReview deadlines and case timestamps.
Recommended Next StepKnow what action may be needed.
From uncertainty to visibility

From an Abuse Report to a Clear Next Step

Health Check organizes the information domain owners usually need most when an abuse case is active.

What is happening?
Current Case Status
Is my domain affected?
Current Domain Impact
Where is the review now?
Review Timeline
Is there a deadline?
Important Timing
What is the complaint about?
Abuse Review & Complaint Information
What should I do?
Recommended Next Step
Status → Impact → Timeline → Timing → Evidence → Next Step
Domain Abuse Handling ProcessUnder Review
Domain under abuse review
Current Case StatusUnder Review
Current Domain ImpactNo immediate restriction
Recommended Next StepReview the case details and submit supporting materials if clarification is needed.

1. What This Means Right Now

Your domain is currently not under clientHold.

We have received complaint reports related to this domain, and the case is currently under review. At this stage, no timed restriction action has been scheduled.

This means your domain may still remain active while the case is being assessed.

2. Complaint Type

Current Complaint Type: DNS Abuse

What is DNS Abuse? DNS Abuse usually refers to clearly harmful domain-related abuse such as phishing, malware distribution, botnet command activity, pharming, or malicious spam delivery.

3. Review Timeline

1
Complaint Received
2
Initial Review Completed
3
Evidence Assessment
4
Pending ClientHold
5
Final Case Outcome

Stage Explanation: The complaint has been received and classified for review. The currently available materials are still being assessed.

4. Important Timing

Current Review StageEvidence Assessment Next Timed ActionNo timed restriction action has been scheduled at this stage.

5. Abuse Review Summary

Current evidence assessment: The currently available materials are still under review, and no complaint record has yet resulted in a pending clientHold decision.
Current handling conclusion: No restriction has been applied to the domain, and no pending clientHold timing has been scheduled.
01   Under Review

The Case Is Being Assessed

No immediate registrar-level restriction has been applied.

Health Check shows where the review currently stands, whether the domain is affected now, and whether any timed restriction action has been scheduled.

StatusUnder Review
ImpactNo immediate restriction
TimingNo timed restriction scheduled at this stage
ActionReview the case and provide clarification when appropriate
An abuse report does not automatically mean immediate ClientHold.
02   Pending ClientHold

See the Risk Before Restriction

The domain is not yet under ClientHold, but it is at risk of restriction.

When a case reaches Pending ClientHold, the account shows the planned timing and the recommended next step. If the case remains unchanged, ClientHold may be applied by the displayed deadline.

StatusPending ClientHold
ImpactAt risk of restriction
TimingPlanned ClientHold deadline is displayed when applicable
ActionSubmit relevant supporting materials as soon as possible when clarification or remediation is available
See the risk before the restriction.
Domain Abuse Handling ProcessPending ClientHold
Domain at risk of restriction
Current Case StatusPending ClientHold
Current Domain ImpactAt risk of restriction
Recommended Next StepSubmit supporting materials now.

1. What This Means Right Now

Your domain is currently not yet under clientHold, but this case has entered the pending clientHold stage.

Based on the current review and available materials, clientHold may be applied by the planned deadline shown below if the case remains unchanged.

2. Complaint Type

Current Complaint Type: DNS Abuse

Different complaint types may follow different review paths and may lead to different next steps.

3. Review Timeline

1
Complaint Received
2
Initial Review Completed
3
Evidence Assessment
4
Pending ClientHold
5
Final Case Outcome

Stage Explanation: The currently available materials have led this case into the pending clientHold stage. If no sufficient update is received before the listed deadline, clientHold may be applied.

4. Important Timing

Complaint Received AtRecorded in the case timeline Pending ClientHold Added AtRecorded in the case timeline Planned ClientHold DeadlineDisplayed clearly in the account

5. Abuse Review Summary

Current evidence assessment: Some submitted materials are currently considered sufficiently specific and actionable for further handling review.
Current handling conclusion: The case has entered the pending clientHold stage under the current abuse handling path.

6. Key Questions

Will My Domain Be Suspended? Possibly. The domain is currently at risk of restriction. If the case remains unchanged and no sufficient update is received before the planned deadline, clientHold may be applied.

Domain Abuse Handling ProcessClientHold
Domain currently restricted
Current Case StatusClientHold
Current Domain ImpactCurrently restricted
Recommended Next StepSubmit reconsideration materials.

1. What This Means Right Now

Your domain is currently under clientHold and is not available for normal use.

The review has moved beyond the pending stage and a restriction has been applied based on the current case status.

3. Review Timeline

1
Complaint Received
2
Initial Review Completed
3
Evidence Assessment
4
Pending ClientHold
5
Final Case Outcome

Stage Explanation: clientHold has been applied based on the current domain status. Another review may still be requested if new and sufficient supporting materials are submitted.

4. Important Timing

Complaint Received AtRecorded in the case timeline Pending ClientHold Added AtRecorded in the case timeline ClientHold Applied AtRecorded in the case timeline

5. Abuse Review Summary

Current evidence assessment: The available materials were assessed as sufficient for the case to proceed through the applicable abuse handling path and reach clientHold.
Current handling conclusion: Based on the current review and available materials, clientHold has been applied to the domain.

7. What You Should Do Now

Useful materials may include clarification of the domain’s actual use, proof that reported content has been removed or corrected, screenshots, logs, timestamps, or evidence showing that the complaint is inaccurate or incomplete.

8. What Happens After I Submit Reconsideration Materials?

Possible outcomes include the current status remaining unchanged, a request for additional materials, reassessment based on newly verified information, or a status update if the reassessment supports a different outcome.

03   ClientHold

Understand the Current Restriction and What Comes Next

Even after ClientHold is applied, the case remains visible.

Health Check shows the current restriction status, relevant timing, complaint information, current handling conclusion and available reconsideration path.

What happened?ClientHold has been applied
When?ClientHold application timing is shown
Why?Available review and complaint information remains visible
What next?New and verifiable materials may be submitted for reconsideration when appropriate
Restriction does not have to mean uncertainty.
Final Outcome   Closed

A Case Can Also Be Closed

The visibility continues through the final case outcome.

Not every abuse case ends with an active restriction. When a case is closed, the account can show that the review has been completed, whether any active restriction remains and whether further action is currently required.

StatusClosed
ImpactNo immediate restriction
TimingCase closure time and current restriction status can be shown
ActionNo immediate action required unless further clarification is necessary
Domain Abuse Handling ProcessClosed
Case review completed
Current Case StatusClosed
Current Domain ImpactNo immediate restriction
Recommended Next StepNo immediate action required.

1. What This Means Right Now

This abuse case has been closed based on the current review outcome.

There is currently no active pending clientHold timing associated with this case.

3. Review Timeline

1
Complaint Received
2
Initial Review Completed
3
Evidence Assessment
4
Final Case Outcome
5
Case Closed

Stage Explanation: The current review process has been completed, and the case has been closed based on the materials available at the time of review.

4. Important Timing

Complaint Received AtRecorded in the case timeline Case Closed AtRecorded in the case timeline Current Restriction StatusNo active clientHold is scheduled on this case

5. Abuse Review Summary

Current evidence assessment: The available materials were reviewed, and the current case no longer requires an active handling stage under this case record.
Current handling conclusion: This case has been closed based on the current review outcome.

7. What You Should Do Now

No immediate action is required at this stage unless you believe additional clarification is necessary.

You may respond through the following channel
Email: Please reply directly to the abuse notification email you received from [email protected].

8. What Happens After I Reply?

If new and verifiable materials are submitted after the case has been closed, the case may be reviewed to determine whether reassessment or reopening is needed.

Full case lifecycle

See Where the Case Is in the Review Process

The exact path can vary by complaint type, evidence, remediation, registry involvement and review outcome.

Complaint ReceivedReport enters the handling process
→
Under ReviewEvidence assessment
→
Pending ClientHoldPossible future restriction
→
ClientHold / Final OutcomeRestriction or another outcome
A case may also be closed after review

ServerHold is a registry-level status and may follow a different handling path.

Abuse Reported Single Search
Active Expired Need Renew Abuse Reported
Domain NameCreateExpireStatusAction
portfolio-domain-01——Active   AbuseHealth Check
portfolio-domain-02——Hold   AbuseHealth Check
portfolio-domain-03——Active   AbuseHealth Check
Portfolio visibility

Find Abuse-Reported Domains Across Your Portfolio

When you manage dozens, hundreds or thousands of domains, finding the affected domain quickly matters. NiceNIC lets you filter abuse-reported domains directly from the domain list and open Health Check to review the current case.

1
FilterUse the Abuse Reported view to narrow the portfolio.
2
IdentifySee which domains have an Abuse indicator and current domain status.
3
Health CheckOpen the detailed case view to review status, timing and next steps.
You do not need to manually open every domain to find which ones require attention.
Bulk Domain Search· Bulk Domain Transfer· Reseller Program
NiceNIC API
Getting Started
Domain Management
Abuse & Compliance
List Domains with Abuse Reports
Get Domain Abuse Report
DNS Records
Child Nameservers
Account & Billing
WHMCS API
FAQ
Reseller API v2

Make Abuse Visibility Part of Your Reseller Workflow

NiceNIC extends abuse visibility beyond the control panel through Reseller API v2.

List Domains with Abuse Reports Identify affected domains, abuse status, case count and latest report information across a portfolio.
Get Domain Abuse Report Retrieve current abuse status, domain impact, recommended action, ClientHold lifecycle, complaint information and relevant timing for an individual domain.
Abuse visibility can be programmable.
List Domains with Abuse Reports Get Domain Abuse Report
Transparency beyond the control panel

Product Visibility, Public Documentation and Ongoing Reports

NiceNIC combines product-level case visibility with public abuse documentation, handling guidance and ongoing transparency reporting.

Health Check

Product-Level Case Visibility

Current status, domain impact, review timeline, timing, complaint information and recommended next step are organized in one account view.

Under Review Pending ClientHold ClientHold Closed
Support

Public Abuse & Compliance Documentation

Guides explain ClientHold, DNS Abuse, complaint response, evidence requirements, complaint summaries and related account workflows.

Abuse & Compliance Support NiceNIC Trust Center
Reports

Domain Dispute & Transparency Updates

Ongoing content covers abuse handling, evidence, false positives, reseller considerations, ClientHold and transparency reporting.

Domain Dispute Articles Trust Center
Evidence-based review

An Abuse Report Does Not Automatically Mean Immediate ClientHold

Abuse reports can follow different handling paths depending on the complaint type, available information, evidence, remediation, applicable registrar requirements and any registry-level involvement.

Depending on the case, a domain may remain Under Review, move into Pending ClientHold, reach ClientHold, or have the case closed after review.

NiceNIC Abuse Handling Resources· Trust Center· Domain Dispute & Transparency Reports
What you should do

What Should I Do If My Domain Has an Abuse Report?

Start with the information already available in Health Check.

Step 1Check Health CheckConfirm the Current Case Status.
Step 2Review the Domain ImpactSee whether there is an active restriction or current risk.
Step 3Check Timeline & TimingPay special attention to any Pending ClientHold deadline.
Step 4Review Complaint InformationCheck complaint type, review summary and available case details.
Step 5Submit Relevant MaterialsProvide clarification, remediation proof, screenshots, logs, timestamps or other verifiable information when needed.
FAQ

Domain Abuse Status, ClientHold and API Questions

What does Under Review mean for my domain?

Under Review means the abuse case is still being assessed. No registrar-level restriction has been applied at this stage, and Health Check shows the current impact, review stage and any recommended action.

What is Pending ClientHold?

Pending ClientHold means the domain is not yet under ClientHold, but the case has reached a stage where a restriction may be applied if the situation remains unchanged. When applicable, the account displays the planned ClientHold timing and recommended next step.

Will Pending ClientHold immediately suspend my domain?

No. Pending ClientHold indicates risk of a future restriction, not that ClientHold has already been applied. Review the displayed timing and submit relevant supporting materials when appropriate.

What does ClientHold mean?

ClientHold is a registrar-level status that can prevent a domain from resolving normally. NiceNIC Health Check shows the current restriction status, relevant timing, complaint information and available next steps.

Does every abuse complaint result in ClientHold?

No. Cases can follow different review paths depending on the complaint type, available evidence, remediation, applicable requirements and any registry-level involvement.

How can I see why my domain received an abuse report?

Open Health Check for a domain marked with an Abuse report. Available information may include the complaint type, review summary, complaint categories, associated report information, timing and current handling conclusion.

Can I submit evidence before ClientHold?

Yes. If the complaint is inaccurate, incomplete or already resolved, you may submit relevant supporting materials while the case is being reviewed or is in Pending ClientHold.

Can I submit new materials after ClientHold?

Yes. New and verifiable supporting materials may be submitted for reconsideration. A new review does not guarantee a different outcome, but newly verified information can be assessed.

What is the difference between ClientHold and ServerHold?

ClientHold is generally a registrar-level status. ServerHold is applied at the registry level and may require registry-level review, verification or action.

Can resellers monitor domain abuse status through API?

Yes. NiceNIC Reseller API v2 includes functions for listing domains with abuse reports and retrieving structured abuse information for individual domains.

Learn more

Domain Abuse & Compliance Resources

Check Your Domain Abuse StatusSupport guidance for account-side abuse visibility. Respond to an Abuse ComplaintLearn what to review and what materials may help. DNS Abuse vs. Non-DNS AbuseUnderstand why complaint paths may differ. Evidence Required for an Abuse ReportSee what information may be relevant to a review. NiceNIC Trust CenterReview public trust, policy and abuse-handling information. Domain Dispute & Transparency ReportsRead ongoing abuse, ClientHold and transparency updates.
Manage domains with more visibility

Domain Management Should Stay Clear Even When Something Goes Wrong

NiceNIC combines domain registration, transfer, bulk management, reseller tools and API automation with clearer abuse-case visibility for domain owners and resellers.

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