Published: 17.10.2026
The .so extension is the country-code domain of Somalia, a country on the Horn of Africa with a long coastline along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Businesses, media outlets, schools and community groups that serve people in Somalia use it to show a local identity. The capital, Mogadishu, is also the largest city. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .so is still available.
Check if a .so domain is available .so Check
A short history
The national code was assigned as Somalia took its place on the global internet. For many years the zone was used by a small number of institutions and early online services. As local media, trade and education grew, more organisations began to register names, and the zone now serves a mix of businesses, information sites and community projects. Much of the content written under the ending is in Somali or Arabic, the country's official languages.
Who runs it
The .so zone is managed by a national registry, which keeps the database of names and sets the conditions for registration. Registrars take orders from customers and forward them to the registry. Because those conditions can change, read the current terms for holders, contact details and renewal before you order.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who may register a .so name, so confirm that you meet them before you pay.
- Contact details: the holder data must be accurate and current, and it may be checked when the registry asks.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, within the length rules of the registry.
- Renewal: put the renewal date in front of more than one person, so that a name is not lost by accident.
Who uses .so
- Local shops, traders and service providers who serve customers in the country.
- Radio stations, newspapers and online news sites that publish in Somali or Arabic.
- Schools, universities and training centres that offer courses to students.
- Diaspora groups and businesses abroad that want an address with a clear link to the country.
Strengths
- The ending shows a clear link with Somalia and helps local readers find the site quickly.
- Search engines may treat the country-code ending as one signal of the intended audience, which can help content written in Somali or Arabic.
- The two-letter ending is short and simple to share in person or on printed materials.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone points to one country, so a service with an international audience may also need a generic address.
- Many readers use phones, so keep pages light and easy to load.
- Visitors from abroad may not recognise the ending, so print the full address on every card and sign.
- Holder conditions can change, so review them before any renewal or transfer.
Tips before you register
- See whether the name is also available in .com and decide whether both addresses should point to the same site.
- Enter the registered name of the organisation exactly as it appears in its official papers.
- Offer the site in Somali, Arabic, English or a mix, depending on who you want to reach.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends e-mail or newsletters.
- Enable two-factor login on the registrar account and name a backup person who can access it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a person living abroad register a .so name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on the holder's location, so check the current rules before you order.
Does .so help a site rank in search? It can add a geographic signal, but clear content, a well-built site and genuine links carry more weight.
Can I publish in Somali on a .so site? Yes. The ending does not limit the language, and Somali is a natural choice for many readers.
