Published: 17.10.2026
The .social zone is a generic extension, so it is not linked to any country. The word social describes people in groups, community life and the networks through which they connect, and a name in .social tells visitors that the site is about communities, social media or social causes. Community groups, social media consultants, charities and social enterprises may all consider this ending for that reason. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .social is still free.
Check if a .social domain is available .social Check
A short history
The .social extension was introduced with the wave of new generic endings in the 2010s. It has been taken up by clubs, communities and firms that work with social media or with social purposes. Because the word is so widely used online, visitors may not connect the ending with a specific project at first, so the first page should explain the purpose clearly.
Who runs it
As a generic zone, .social is administered by a registry operator under an agreement with ICANN, the body that coordinates the global domain name system. The operator defines the registration rules, while registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. Because the rules may change, the terms shown at the time of your order are the ones that apply.
Rules in practice
- Open registration: generic zones are generally open to any applicant, but operators may set conditions on acceptable use.
- Contact details: the information you provide must be accurate, and the registrar may confirm it.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, and one label can be up to 63 characters long.
- Renewal: enable auto-renewal and add a second contact address to the account, so renewal notices are not missed.
Who uses .social
- Community groups, clubs and neighbourhood networks that organise their members and events.
- Social media consultants and agencies that help brands plan and manage their channels.
- Charities and social enterprises that describe their projects and the difference they make.
- Researchers and writers who study online communities and the way people use networks.
Strengths
- The word signals the subject at once, which helps visitors understand what the site is for.
- The name is short and easy to pronounce, which makes it simple to share in conversation.
- The zone is generic, so a community with an international reach is not tied to one country.
Things to keep in mind
- The word is very common, so a clear project or community name may be easier to remember than the word alone.
- Social platforms change over time, so do not rely on a single network to reach your audience.
- Visitors may still expect .com first, so consider whether you want both addresses.
- If the site collects members' details or runs a forum, check the privacy and moderation rules that apply in your country.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and on the social networks where your community or brand is already active.
- Choose a name that describes the group or project, so that new visitors understand its purpose immediately.
- Publish a privacy notice, community guidelines and a contact page before you open membership or comments.
- Set up mail authentication records before you send newsletters or invitations from the domain.
- Use two-factor login on the registrar account and make sure at least two trusted people can manage it.
Frequently asked questions
Is .social only for social media businesses? No. Clubs, charities, researchers and local groups can use it too, as long as their content fits the theme.
Does a .social name help a site rank in search? It signals the topic, but clear pages, regular updates and genuine links carry more weight.
Can a community site on .social run in several languages? Yes. Nothing in the ending limits the language, so you can offer a version for each group of members.
