Published: 17.10.2026
The .gq extension is the country-code domain of Equatorial Guinea, a Central African country on the Gulf of Guinea that includes a mainland region and several islands. Companies, public projects, schools and local services that serve people in Equatorial Guinea use it to show a clear link with the country. Spanish is the main language of daily life, and the capital Malabo is on the island of Bioko. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .gq is still available.
Check if a .gq domain is available .gq Check
A short history
Equatorial Guinea has a mainland region and several islands in the Gulf of Guinea, and its landscapes include forests, rivers and coastal areas. Spanish, French and Portuguese are all official languages, which is a useful detail for anyone planning a multilingual site. Over time the country's towns and cities have become centres for government, trade and services. As the internet reached offices, schools and businesses, the national ending became a natural address for organisations that work with customers in the country.
Who runs it
The .gq zone is managed by a registry that keeps the central database of names and publishes the rules for registration. Registrars sell names to customers and pass the orders to the registry. Because the rules are set for the zone, the published terms are the reference point for eligibility, contact details and renewal. Read the current version before you pay, since terms can change.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who can hold a .gq name, so check whether you qualify before you order.
- Contact details: the holder information must be accurate, and it may be checked when the registry asks.
- Name format: names use letters, digits and hyphens under standard DNS rules, and the zone may add its own restrictions.
- Renewal: enable auto-renewal and keep the contact e-mail address active so that renewal notices reach you.
Who uses .gq
- Companies, importers and service firms that work with customers in Equatorial Guinea.
- Hotels, guesthouses and tour operators that welcome visitors to the islands and the mainland.
- Schools, clinics, associations and community projects with a local audience.
- Foreign businesses that want to show a clear local presence in Central Africa.
Strengths
- The ending shows at once that a site is linked to Equatorial Guinea, which helps local visitors recognise it.
- Search engines may use a country-code ending as one of several signals about the intended audience, so local content can be easier to match with local searches.
- A short national address works well on signs, invoices, vehicles and printed materials.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone points to one country, so a business with customers in many places may also want a generic address.
- Spanish, French and Portuguese are all official, so decide early which language or languages your site will use.
- Good short names are often taken, so prepare two or three alternatives before you start.
- Holder requirements are specific to this zone and can change, so check them again before a renewal or transfer.
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.
- Publish a clear contact page with the address and telephone number of the business.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Protect the registrar account with a strong password and two-factor login.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Equatorial Guinea to register a .gq name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation, so check the current terms at the time of the order.
Does .gq help a site appear in search results in Equatorial Guinea? It may be one useful signal. Clear local content, a fast site and genuine links usually matter more.
Can a site in Spanish use .gq? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, and Spanish is the main language of daily life, so a Spanish-language site suits many local readers.
