Closed extension privately owned by GoogleOriginal "dotless" domain use still unapprovedNot available for public registration

.search Domain

.search is a brand gTLD delegated in 2017 and managed by Charleston Road Registry, the Google entity. Originally proposed as a "dotless" domain for search services, its final approval remains pending.

2017 Year created
gTLD Extension type (IANA)
On request Registration price / year
Yes Registration restrictions

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About the .SEARCH domain

What is the .SEARCH domain?

The .search is a brand generic top-level domain (gTLD), delegated to the root zone on June 29, 2017, and managed by Charleston Road Registry Inc., under Google Inc., which obtained this extension during the 2012 new gTLD application round.

Google originally proposed turning .search into a "dotless" domain — that is, a redirection service that would directly activate search functions in browsers without needing a second-level name. However, this proposal raised concerns at ICANN over security and possible conflicts stemming from name collision mitigation measures, and its final approval remains pending resolution. .search remains a closed extension privately owned by Google, with no registration process open to individuals or external companies.
Registration restrictions

.search is a closed extension privately owned by Google. It was originally proposed as a "dotless" domain that would act as a redirection service for search functions in browsers, a proposal that raised concerns at ICANN over security and possible name collision conflicts, and which still lacks final approval. It is not available for public registration under any circumstances. Contact our team if you need guidance on alternatives for your project.

Extension .SEARCH
IANA type gTLD
Created in 2017
Registry Charleston Road Registry Inc., operated under Google Inc.
Restrictions Yes
Registration On request
Renewal On request

Uses of .SEARCH

Who is the .SEARCH domain for?

These are the most common situations where .SEARCH is the ideal extension.

Internal Google use tied to search

The original purpose of this extension, pending final approval.

Not available to the general public

No individual or external company can register a .search domain.

.SEARCH vs other extensions

Which extension suits you best?

Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .SEARCH with the most common alternatives to help you choose.

Extension Best for Restrictions Registration price
.search This page Exclusive use by Google (use pending approval) Not available to third parties Not available
.com Any project available for public registration None $14.99/yr

Registration process

How to register your .SEARCH domain at miHosting

01

Check availability

Type the name you want in the search bar. We show you in seconds whether it's available or if you need to look for alternatives.

02

Complete registration

Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.

03

Your domain is live

Within minutes your .SEARCH domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions about the .SEARCH domain

Can I register a .search domain?

No, this extension is privately owned by Google and has never been open to public registration.

What is a "dotless" domain?

A domain that would function as a redirection service with no second-level name needed, a proposal Google made for this extension.

Why hasn't ICANN approved this use?

Due to security concerns and possible conflicts stemming from name collision mitigation measures.

Who manages the .search domain?

Charleston Road Registry Inc., under Google Inc. It was delegated to the root zone on June 29, 2017.

What alternative does miHosting recommend?

A generic extension like .com, available immediately. Contact our team to weigh your options.

Register your .SEARCH today

Your .SEARCH domain.
Your online identity.

Real technicians behind your domain. No complications, no surprises. Full management from your control panel.

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The .search domain is a closed Google extension, with its future use pending ICANN approval. Contact our team about alternatives such as our professional hosting.