Inaturalist.org (Domain) Investigation Report
Generated on Mar 15, 2026
Why we think so?
iNaturalist.org is a well-established platform for citizen science and nature observation. It attracts about 4 million monthly visits globally, primarily from the United States, and ranks #8,161 worldwide. The site is maintained by the reputable California Academy of Sciences and uses robust infrastructure, including Amazon and Google technologies. Its SSL certificate is current and valid, and no blacklists or phishing risks have been detected. Users report mixed experiences with the iNaturalist mobile app, praising its value for species identification while noting usability and stability issues. Forums confirm no scams or lawsuits involving the site, though occasional phishing attempts mimicking donations have been reported and addressed promptly. Overall, it presents as a legitimate and trustworthy resource for nature enthusiasts and researchers.
Risk Insights
Strong Organizational Backing
- Operated by California Academy of Sciences
- Multiple live trademarks registered
- Maintains official contact points and social profiles
Robust Technical Foundations
- Uses industry-standard cloud and CDN providers
- SSL certificate valid and well-managed
- No blacklist detections or phishing flags
Active User Community
- Highly engaged with ~4 million visits monthly
- Users report mixed mobile app experiences
- No major scam reports, but phishing attempts monitored
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Phishing emails mimicking donation requests have been reported, though addressed by staff.
Detailed Checks & Insights
0-100 Scale
Domain Age and Registrar Reputation
Score: 95
Domain Age and Registrar Reputation
"The domain has been stable for nearly two decades, reducing risk of scam."
Reason: Domain registered since 2004 with a reputable registrar Network Solutions, LLC.
Traffic Volume and User Engagement
Score: 90
Traffic Volume and User Engagement
"High traffic supports legitimacy and public trust."
Reason: Around 4 million monthly visits with average user engagement metrics indicating genuine usage.
Technical Infrastructure Quality
Score: 90
Technical Infrastructure Quality
"Reliable tech stack minimizes security issues and downtime."
Reason: Uses trusted providers such as Amazon AWS, Google services, and Cloudflare for hosting and security.
SSL Certificate Validity and Security
Score: 95
SSL Certificate Validity and Security
"Strong SSL implementation ensures secure data transmission."
Reason: SSL certificate issued by Sectigo and valid through late 2026.
Trademark and Brand Verification
Score: 90
Trademark and Brand Verification
"Reduces risk of impersonation and supports brand authenticity."
Reason: Multiple live trademarks held by California Academy of Sciences verify brand ownership.
Blacklist and Scam Reports
Score: 95
Blacklist and Scam Reports
"Indicates absence of major security threats or fraudulent activities."
Reason: No presence on crypto or Google Safe Browsing blacklists; no verified scam reports against main domain.
User and Community Feedback
Score: 75
User and Community Feedback
"Community actively monitors and reports issues, supporting transparency."
Reason: Users praise core features but report mobile app usability issues; no systemic scam activity reported.
Your Next Steps
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1
If using the mobile app, consider community feedback on usability for a better experience.
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2
Exercise caution with unsolicited donation emails; verify them through official channels before acting.
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3
Follow community forums or support channels for updates on any security or feature issues.
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4
Use official contact emails from the website for support or reporting issues.
Key Evidence & Citations
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SimilarWeb Analytics for inaturalist.org
⤷ Traffic and engagement data
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SimilarTech Technology Profile
⤷ Tech stack and infrastructure details
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iNaturalist Contact Information and Social Media
⤷ Official contact and social profiles
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USPTO Trademark Records for INATURALIST
⤷ Trademark registration details
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iNaturalist.org Community Forum and Reviews
⤷ User reports and scam-related discussions
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