About .shop domains

About .shop domains

.SHOP is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated in the DNS root zone. The registry operator responsible for .SHOP is listed by IANA as GMO Registry, Inc.. Anyone can typically register a .SHOP name through an accredited registrar, subject to the registry’s registration policy and ICANN consensus policies.

.shop is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched in September 2016. Nine companies including Google, Amazon and Famous Four Media filed applications for .shop in the 2012 ICANN new gTLD application round. GMO Registry became the registry operator after prevailing in an ICANN public auction in January 2016.

Who can register .shop domains?

Eligibility is defined by the registry operator and its registrars. Most gTLDs are open to anyone worldwide. Many ccTLDs are also open globally; some require local presence, citizenship, or trademark rights. Always confirm current policy with the registry or your registrar.

Registration restrictions

Character rules below follow common ICANN LDH conventions. Individual registries and registrars may impose extra eligibility, length, or residency rules.

Length

1 – 63 characters (label before .shop)

Can use

Letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens (not first/last or consecutive in restricted cases)

Cannot use

Special characters (e.g. & # @) in standard LDH labels

IDNs

Varies by registry — check IDN support with the registry or your registrar

Features

Operational features (privacy, parking, protection) are registrar-level, not defined by the IANA root zone record.

Registry information

Sponsor / manager

GMO Registry, Inc.

Registration services

http://www.gmoregistry.com/en/

WHOIS server

whois.nic.shop

RDAP server

https://rdap.gmoregistry.net/rdap/