Compare sources
Two services repeating the same document are not two independent pieces of evidence. Compare the research object, data origin and period first.
| Compare sources | ICANN Lookup | Wayback Machine |
|---|---|---|
| What this source helps you find | Query public domain, IP network and ASN registration data through RDAP. | Compare dated web-page captures and retain a link to a viewable version. |
| Limit to retain in your conclusion | Some data may be redacted; registration does not prove who operates a website. | Captures can be partial; their date and content do not validate the page’s claims. |
| Useful search anchors |
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| Fields to record when citing a result |
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| Evidence record to retain | Exact name, dated RDAP response, statuses, queried server and any links from an official site. | Original URL, capture URL, capture time and any missing or incomplete page elements. |
| Check before drawing a conclusion | Redacted fields, intermediaries and hosts often prevent identification of the actual operator. | An archive shows a retrieved version at a time, not content accuracy or its creation date. |
| Coverage | INT | INT |
| Official reference page | Official reference page | Official reference page |
This record concerns the cited page on this date, not permanent service availability or every feature. Data, files and APIs may have different access conditions.
Identify the producer of the underlying document. A portal, API and search engine may distribute the same data. To confirm a fact, seek a document with a different origin; to check a transcription, compare the original with its reuse.
The consultation date does not replace the effective, publication or acquisition date. A current and an archived result may both be correct for different periods. Record the status and version of each document.
Keep the query, name variants and filters. No result may reflect limited coverage, a delay, restrictive searching or a wrong identifier. It does not establish that a fact does not exist.
