Published: 17.10.2026
The .gw extension is the country-code domain of Guinea-Bissau, a small country on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Portuguese is the official language, and Guinea-Bissau Creole is widely spoken in everyday life. Companies, organisations and projects that work with people in the country use a .gw name to show a local presence. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .gw is still available.
Check if a .gw domain is available .gw Check
A short history
Guinea-Bissau has its own national code, and the zone has grown slowly over the years. For a long time it was used mainly by government offices, development projects and a small number of early providers. As local businesses, schools and media began to publish their own websites, the number of names increased steadily. Today the extension is chosen mostly by people who want a clear link to the country and to its local audience.
Who runs it
The .gw zone is managed by a national registry, which keeps the central database of names and sets the rules for registration. Registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. Because the rules are set nationally, the current terms published by the registry are the reference point for eligibility, contact details and renewal, and they may change from time to time.
Rules in practice
- Who may hold a name: the registry sets the conditions, so read them before you pay.
- Accurate records: the details you enter should match your official documents, and they may be checked.
- Name format: letters, digits and hyphens are the usual building blocks, within the length limit set by the registry.
- Keeping the name: an expired name can be picked up by someone else, so turn on automatic renewal and watch the reminder e-mails.
Who uses .gw
- Shops, markets and service providers that serve customers in Guinea-Bissau.
- Boat operators, guesthouses and eco-tourism projects around the Bijagos archipelago, a group of islands known for its wildlife.
- Schools, churches, sports clubs and community groups with a local audience.
- Development initiatives and public-interest projects that work with local partners.
Strengths
- The ending shows at once that the site is linked to Guinea-Bissau, which helps local visitors recognise it.
- Search engines can use a country-code ending as one hint about the intended audience, so a site with local content may be easier to match with local searches.
- The address suits Portuguese-language content, since Portuguese is used in schools, offices and official life.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone points to one country, so a business with customers around the world may also want a generic address.
- Visitors from abroad may not know the ending, so write the full address on cards, signs and printed materials.
- Pages may load slowly on limited connections, so keep the site light and test it on a mobile connection.
- The rules for holders can change, so check the current terms before you renew or transfer a name.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and decide whether you need both addresses.
- Enter the company or personal details exactly as they appear in your official documents.
- Prepare the site in Portuguese, and add Kriol or other languages if your visitors use them.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Turn on auto-renewal and protect the registrar account with a strong password and two-factor login.
Frequently asked questions
Must a holder live in Guinea-Bissau to get a .gw name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation, so check the current terms at the time of the order.
Does .gw help a site appear in search results in Guinea-Bissau? It is one useful geographic signal. Clear local content, a fast site and genuine links usually matter more.
Can an eco-tourism project use Portuguese and English on one .gw site? Yes. The ending does not limit the language, so both can sit side by side on the same pages.
