Domain Registration Rules and Naming Conventions
Different top-level domains (TLDs) have their own registration rules and character restrictions. Understanding these rules before registration can help you pass the registration review smoothly and avoid unnecessary rejections and modifications.
General Naming Rules
Character Requirements
Domain names available for registration through NamesLink are typically composed of the following characters:
-
English letters:
a–z(case-insensitive; the system records all names in lowercase) -
Numbers:
0–9 -
Hyphen:
-(cannot be placed at the beginning or end)
Characters not allowed:
-
Spaces, underscores
_, and special symbols (such as@,#,$,%,&,+, etc.) -
Hyphens cannot appear at the beginning or end of a domain name
-
Hyphens cannot appear consecutively (for example,
my--domainis invalid)
Length Limits
| Domain Part | Minimum Length | Maximum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix (SLD) | 2 characters | 63 characters |
| Full domain name | Depends on extension | 253 characters (including extension) |
Tip: Although technically a domain can be registered with as few as 2 characters, some extensions require the prefix to be at least 3 characters. Please refer to the search results for specifics.
Prohibited Registrations
The following types of domain names cannot be registered through NamesLink:
-
Already registered domains: Domain names are globally unique. A domain already owned by someone else cannot be registered again
-
Reserved domains: Domains reserved by the registry, typically including:
-
Single-letter / single-number domains (such as
a.com,1.com) -
Common brand terms (such as
google.com) -
Country / region names
-
Sensitive words
-
-
Domains involving infringement: Domain names highly similar to well-known trademarks may be reclaimed by the registry or trademark holder
-
Domains violating laws or regulations: Domain names containing illegal, adult, violent, or discriminatory content
Premium Domains
Premium domains are domains priced higher than the standard registration rate by the registry. They usually share the following characteristics:
-
Short length: 2–4 letter / number combinations
-
Popular words: Common English words, industry keywords
-
Brand potential: Word combinations with high commercial value
The registration process for premium domains is the same as for regular domains, but the price is set by the registry and is typically significantly higher than the standard price. NamesLink will clearly label premium domains and their prices in the search results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change the domain prefix after registration? A: No. Once a domain prefix is successfully registered, it cannot be changed. If you need a different name, you must register a new domain.
Q: Are domain names case-sensitive? A: The domain name system is not case-sensitive. Whether you enter MyBrand.com or mybrand.com, the system will resolve it as mybrand.com.
Q: Can I register a domain name containing a hyphen? A: Yes, but the hyphen cannot be at the beginning or end, nor can it appear consecutively (for example, a-b.com is valid, while a--b.com is invalid).
Q: Why does a domain that shows as "available" fail when I submit the registration? A: Possible reasons include: the domain was registered by someone else during your search; the domain belongs to the premium word list but the premium price was not displayed at the time of the search; or the registry temporarily adjusted the availability status of the domain. We recommend refreshing the search or contacting customer support for confirmation.