.social Domain Registrationfrom £60.78/yr
Why Choose a .social Domain?
The .social extension launched in 2014 as part of ICANN's new gTLD programme and is operated by Identity Digital (formerly Donuts). It speaks directly to the language of online community — networks, groups, conversations, and shared causes. Because the word "social" describes both digital platforms and real-world gatherings, the TLD works equally well for a Mastodon instance, a community pub, a charity collective, or an event series. It is unrestricted and open to registrants worldwide.
Ideal for:
- Decentralised social networks and Mastodon or Bluesky instances
- Community managers, online forums, and Discord-adjacent groups
- Charities, activists, and cause-led campaigns
- Event organisers running meetups, supper clubs, or networking nights
- Social media agencies and influencer marketing consultancies
Things to know:
- Unrestricted — anyone, anywhere can register a .social domain.
- Operated by Identity Digital, one of the largest new-gTLD registries.
- The registry classifies some short, dictionary, or category-defining names as premium, which carry higher registration and renewal fees set by the registry rather than the registrar.
- Standard registration terms run from one to ten years.
Creative .social Domain Ideas
- Camden.social — a neighbourhood meetup directory for north London.
- Fediverse.social — a landing page explaining ActivityPub to newcomers.
- Knit.social — an online community for craft circles and yarn swaps.
- Founders.social — a private Mastodon instance for early-stage startup founders.
- Climate.social — a campaign hub coordinating local environmental action.
- Sunday.social — a recurring weekend brunch and networking event brand.
Frequently asked questions about .social
Anyone. The .social TLD has no eligibility restrictions, so individuals, businesses, charities, and community groups anywhere in the world can register one. There are no documentation requirements, residency rules, or trade-verification checks. You simply need to choose a name that is still available and complete a standard registration.
You can register a .social domain for any term between one and ten years at initial registration, and you can renew in the same range. Many people start with a one or two year term and extend later, but locking in a longer registration up front protects you from price changes and accidental lapses.
Yes. As long as your domain is at least 60 days old, unlocked at the current registrar, and you have the EPP authorisation code, you can transfer it across. The transfer typically extends your registration by one additional year, so you will not lose any time you have already paid for.
After expiry there is a renewal grace period of around 30 days during which you can renew at the standard price. After that the domain enters a redemption period where recovery is possible but carries a registry redemption fee. If still unrenewed, it is released back to the public pool and anyone can register it.
It is one of the most popular choices for fediverse projects because the word "social" matches the culture of the network. Many well-known Mastodon instances use it. If you plan to run an instance, choose a short, easy-to-type name, since users will see it in every account handle.