1. What is a CN Keyword? A CN Keyword is a simplified web or email address. It is your natural company, brand or product name that can be used instead of your company's web or email address for web navigation or email communication. A CN Keyword can also be a generic term that is descriptive of the business that you are in or products that you offer. Drive traffic to your website with generic search terms A CN Keyword helps customers find your website and reach you via email by eliminating the need to type complex domain names and email addresses. Examples of CN Keyword for web navigation: CN Keyword URL Oxford University http://www.ox.ac.uk/ Oxford higher education http://www.ox.ac.uk/ Priceline http://www.priceline.com US Hotel Bookings http://travel.priceline.com/hotels Examples of CN Keyword for email communication: CN Keyword URL Oxford University info@ox.ac.uk Acme support support@ACMEsoftwaresolutions.com Acme sales sales@ACMEsoftwaresolutions.com A CN Keyword can only be registered by one business globally or in each country - it is a unique identifier. To learn more about how CN Keywords work, try our online demo. [Back to Top]

2. What type of words can I register as a CN Keyword?   There are two types of CN Keyword that you can register, a CN Keyword and Basic CommonName. a) CN Keyword A CN Keyword is your company, product or brand name. It must directly reflect your company's name or one of its own brand names, product names or service names. You cannot register a brand or product name merely because you are a reseller of a brand or product - you must be the true owner. For example, only IBM can register IBM or IBM ThinkPad. However, a reseller of IBM products could register names such as IBM Laptop Computers or IBM Computer Sales as they are partly generic extensions of the brand name IBM that is relevant to a reseller (note - these terms would be CN Keyword Plus - see below). Clearly you cannot register the name of a competitor or competitor's products. A user that types in a CN Keyword in the browser address bar will be taken directly to the website of the owner of the CN Keyword. It's a great way to attract new customers and provide convenience to your current customers. Because CN Keyword are unique (only one business per country can register a CN Keyword), your CN Keyword must truly reflect the name of your company. For example, ABC Videos must register the name ABC Videos rather than just ABC. You cannot select a CN Keyword that is a generic word, such as books or computers. b) CN Keyword Plus A CN Keyword Plus is a generic or semi-generic term. For example, a real estate agent in Boston could register Boston Real Estate, or a white-water rafting company could register Rafting Tours. Again, you cannot register a term that includes a competitor's name or products. A user that types in a CN Keyword Plus into the browser address bar will be taken directly to the website of the owner of the CN Keyword Plus, which will occupy 75% of the screen. The remaining 25% of the screen will contain search results for the term. CN Keyword Plus are a great way to attract new customers to your website. Search terms are the most popular method of finding websites on the Internet. Because CN Keyword Plus are Unique (only one business per country can register them), your CN Keyword Plus must truly reflect the nature of your business. Examples See our online demo for examples of CN Keyword and CN Keyword Plus. General Guidelines See our CN Keyword Acceptance Guidelines for our full list of rules in relation to CN Keyword selection. [Back to Top]

3. Can I register more than one CN Keyword?   A company can register as many CN Keywords as they wish, as long as they comply with our CN Keyword Acceptance Guidelines. In many cases a company may wish to register their company name, various brand names, product names, service names, and/or generic term. For example: CN Keyword Type URL ABC travel CN Keyword (Company Name) www.abctravel.com/index.html ABC Flightchecker CN Keyword (Service Name) www.abctravel.com/flightchecker.htm ABC Fly-away CN Keyword (Brand Name) www.abctravel.com/fly-away.html Manhattan Travel Agents CN Keyword Plus (generic term) www.abctravel.com/index.html A company may also wish to register a CN Keyword in numerous countries (rather than register a global CN Keyword). [Back to Top]

4. Can I register a CN Keyword in more than one country?   Yes, you can register a CN Keyword in as many countries as you want as long as you are entitled to that name in the country (i.e. you have to be known in that country). Alternatively, you can register a global CN Keyword. A global CN Keyword will resolve to your website when used anywhere in the world. Companies with multiple international web sites can also set up their CN Keyword to deliver overseas users to the most appropriate site. [Back to Top]

5. Where do CN Keywords work?   CN Keywords are used by anyone who has enabled their web browser or email client with CommonName software. More than 30 million users worldwide have installed CommonName software, making us the largest global provider of direct navigation keywords. CommonName software is truly cross-browser - the CommonName system is the only provider that works on all the following browsers: Internet Explorer (5.01+) Netscape (6.2+) AOL Browser (6.0+) MSN (6.0+) Click here to download CommonName Browser Upgrade [Back to Top]

6. How much do CN Keywords cost?   Different prices apply based on the type of CN Keyword you are registering, and the country you are registering your CN Keyword in. Importantly, you will only be charged if the CN Keywords you have selected are accepted. US For prices and availability in the United States, please contact one of our registered agents. Click here for contact details. UK For prices and availability in the United Kingdom, please contact our official registrar. Click here for contact details. Other Countries For prices and availability in other countries, Click here [Back to Top]

7. Why does my application need to be reviewed for approval?   Applications are reviewed for a number of reasons, including: * To ensure a high standard of relevancy between CN Keywords and associated website/email addresses; * To ensure that CN Keywords direct users to the site/email generally expected; * To protect the goodwill of businesses and ensure CN Keywords are registered by those entitled to them. When your application has been reviewed, we will contact you to confirm whether your CN Keywords have been approved or rejected. Review usually takes less than 48 business hours. Importantly, you will only be charged if the CN Keywords you have selected are accepted. We will review your application in accordance with our CN Keyword Acceptance Guidelines. [Back to Top]

8. Why is my CN Keyword unavailable?   Your CN Keyword may be unavailable for reasons including: * It has already been registered by another company entitled to that CN Keyword; * It doesn't sufficiently reflect your company or brand name; * It does not direct users to the site which meets their general expectations; * It trades on the goodwill of another party; * The CN Keyword chosen doesn't conform with our CN Keyword Acceptance Guidelines. [Back to Top]