About .bio domain
.bio is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated to the root zone in June 2014 as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program. The registry operator is Afilias, which acquired the rights to the TLD in 2016. It is an open TLD, though it has specific regulations for a portion of its intended use related to organic products. The delegation followed a process that included an early warning from a government advisory committee and various objections, which were ultimately resolved.
Who can register .bio domain
Registration for .bio domains is open to the general public with no geographic or organizational restrictions. Anyone can register a .bio domain name through an accredited registrar. However, registrants intending to use a .bio domain for websites related to organic food products must comply with specific regulations that align with European Union standards for organic labeling. For all other uses unrelated to organic products, the TLD operates as a standard, unrestricted gTLD.
How to register .bio domain
- Search for your desired .bio domain name using a domain registrar's availability checker to see if it is unregistered and available for purchase.
- Compare pricing, registration term lengths, and add-on services like WHOIS privacy or email hosting from different registrars that offer .bio domains.
- Complete the checkout process, providing accurate registrant contact information and selecting your desired registration period, which is typically one to ten years.
- After purchase, verify your contact details via email as required by ICANN policy and then configure your domain's DNS settings to point to your website or email service.
Typical uses of .bio domain
The .bio extension is commonly used by individuals and organizations wanting a concise, recognizable web address related to life sciences, biographies, or organic products. Professionals like scientists, researchers, and healthcare providers may use it for personal portfolios or project sites. A significant portion of its use is dedicated to the organic food and agriculture sector, where businesses and certifiers leverage the TLD's direct semantic connection to "organic" in many languages. This makes .bio a strategic choice for entities in these fields seeking a memorable and topic-relevant domain.
Tips for registering .bio domain
- The minimum registration term is typically one year, with the option to register for multiple years up to a maximum of ten.
- WHOIS privacy protection services are generally available for .bio domains through most registrars, helping to shield personal contact information from public view.
- Registrants using a .bio domain for content related to organic products must adhere to specific content regulations that verify their compliance with organic standards.
- Domain transfers between registrars follow standard ICANN policies, but domains may be subject to a 60-day transfer lock after initial registration or after certain changes to registrant information.