A parked domain, also known as domain parking, refers to the practice of registering a domain name and then temporarily associating it with a placeholder or default webpage. Essentially, a parked domain is not actively used for hosting a website with unique content but instead serves as a reserved address that can be redirected to another website or kept for future use.

Here are key points about parked domains:

1. Reserved Status: A parked domain is registered but not actively utilized for hosting specific content. Instead, it remains in a reserved or inactive state until it is either developed into a website or redirected to an existing website.
2. Placeholder Content: When a domain is parked, it often displays generic placeholder content provided by the domain registrar or hosting provider. This content may include advertisements or information indicating that the domain is registered but not currently in use.
3. Domain Monetization: In some cases, domain owners use parked domains as a means of domain monetization. Advertisements or sponsored links may be displayed on the placeholder page, and the domain owner may earn revenue if visitors click on those ads.
4. Temporary Solution: Domain parking is often a temporary solution while a website is under development or when a domain owner is considering future use for the domain. It allows individuals or businesses to secure a specific domain name without immediately investing in web hosting and content development.
5. Domain Redirects: Parked domains can also be set up to redirect visitors to another website. This can be useful when a business has multiple domain variations (e.g., different TLDs) and wants them all to lead to a single primary website.
6. Domain Registrar Services: Many domain registrars offer domain parking services as part of their registration packages. Users can easily set up domain parking through their registrar’s control panel.

It’s important to note that the specific features and options for parked domains may vary among domain registrars. Overall, domain parking provides flexibility for domain owners, allowing them to reserve specific domain names for future use or strategic purposes.