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title: Frequently Asked Questions
description: Common questions about Own The Dot, Handshake domains, and decentralized naming.
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# Frequently Asked Questions

### **What is Handshake?**

Handshake is a decentralized, permissionless naming protocol designed to provide an alternative way of managing names at the DNS root.

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### **How is Handshake different from traditional domains?**

With traditional domains such as .com or .com.au, you register a name beneath a top-level domain and pay recurring renewal fees. With Handshake, you can secure the top-level name itself on the blockchain. Handshake names do not have traditional annual renewal fees, although a blockchain renewal transaction is required approximately every two years to keep the name active.

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### Why is owning the root domain important?

Owning the top-level name means you can operate your own namespace. You can create subdomains, set your own naming policies and use the name without relying on a traditional domain registry.

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