Under China's internet regulations, websites hosted on mainland servers must complete ICP filing before going live. Filing data — subject name, licence number, approval date — is public and a key way to verify who operates a site.
What a Lookup Returns
- Subject (unit) name: the filing entity, usually a company or individual — the most direct way to see who is behind a site.
- ICP licence number: e.g.
京ICP备2023000001号, compare it with the footer of the site. - Approval date: when the filing passed review.
- Nature: enterprise vs. individual.
- Status: active, cancelled, abnormal, etc.
How to Check
Open the "Detailed" tab on ABC Lookup, enter a domain and the ICP card shows its filing. We also keep historical snapshots, so subject changes and licence updates are recorded on a timeline — handy for tracking competitor sites.
Why Check Before Buying a Used Domain
Filing history does not transfer with a domain sale. The old subject's filing must be cancelled and re-filed, and domains previously cancelled over violations may face stricter review. Checking first saves serious trouble later.