Published: 17.10.2026
The .mg extension is the country-code domain of Madagascar, one of the largest islands in the world, lying off the south-east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Its wildlife, landscapes and cultural traditions attract visitors, and local businesses, guides, researchers and craft makers use a .mg name to show that they are based on the island. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .mg is still available.
Check if a .mg domain is available .mg Check
A short history
The national code was assigned to Madagascar in the early days of the internet, when access was limited to universities, research bodies and a small number of companies. Over time the spread of local websites, online shops and media brought more people to the zone. Today a .mg address is used by tourism operators, non-profit organisations, schools and many local firms that want their online presence to reflect their base on the island.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a national registry that keeps the central list of names and sets the terms of registration. Accredited registrars sell names to the public and forward the orders. The terms may cover holder eligibility, supporting information and contact details, so read the current version before you order rather than relying on older information from other sources.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry can set rules on who may hold a .mg name, so confirm that you qualify before you pay.
- Contact data: the holder details need to stay accurate, since the registrar may ask you to confirm them.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, within the length limits that apply to all domain labels.
- Renewal: names have to be renewed before they expire, so enable reminders and keep the contact address active.
Who uses .mg
- Eco-lodges, hotels and tour operators that take visitors to national parks and coastal areas.
- Craft makers, spice and vanilla producers, and exporters that present their products online.
- Schools, universities and research teams that work on the island's ecology and culture.
- Community projects and non-profit organisations with a Malagasy audience.
Strengths
- The ending points clearly to Madagascar, which helps visitors and partners recognise a local business.
- For a travel or nature project, a country-code address can add a sense of place that a generic name may not give.
- The zone suits content in Malagasy, French or English, depending on the audience you want to reach.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone refers to one country, so a project with an international audience may also need a generic address.
- Connection speeds on the island vary, and hosting choices affect how quickly pages load, so test the site on mobile connections.
- Many visitors search for tourism names in English, so the wording of the name should be easy to read in that language.
- Rules for holders can change, so an older registration may need updated details later.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether a second address is needed to protect the brand.
- Record the holder's details exactly as they appear in the official papers for your business.
- Publish a clear contact page, a privacy notice and the terms for bookings or orders.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before sending e-mail from the domain.
- Enable auto-renewal and give a second trusted person access to the registrar account.
Frequently asked questions
Can a visitor or a foreign company register a .mg name? The answer depends on the holder rules in force, so check them with the registrar before you order.
Does a .mg address help a travel site appear in local searches? It is one signal among several. Accurate content about destinations, routes and services, plus clear contact details, usually matters more.
Should I write the site in Malagasy? If your main audience is local, Malagasy content is a strong choice. French or English may suit visitors and international partners, so many sites use more than one language.
