Domain name propagation is the term used to describe the delay between registering a new domain name and when that domain's Website becomes active.

The Domain Name System (DNS) helps users to find their way around the Internet. Every computer on the Internet has a unique address - just like a telephone number - which is a rather complicated string of numbers. It is called its IP address (IP stands for Internet Protocol). IP Addresses are hard to remember. The DNS makes using the Internet easier by allowing a familiar string of letters (the 'domain name') to be used instead of the arcane IP address. So instead of typing 72.14.235.104, you can type www.google.com.au into your browser's URL field. It is a mnemonic device that makes IP addresses easier to remember. By the way, you can still type 72.14.235.104 if you want to, try it!

Special DNS servers are scattered across the globe that keep track of domain names and their associated IP addresses - thousands of new domain names are added each day. These DNS servers update each other in a process that can take as long as 48 hours. Clearly this process is outside the influence of either your ISP, hosting provider or domain name registrar.