Domain .as - national domain: American Samoa

.as domain information

.as domain is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) designated for American Samoa. It is managed and overseen by the AS Domain Registry. Additionally, the technical operations of the .as domain are handled by Island Networks, which also provides registry services for other domains like .gg and .je.

In terms of usage, domain names under .as are available free of charge for businesses and individuals who are residents of or have associations with, American Samoa. However, there are no strict restrictions on registrants, making the domain popular even outside of Samoa. For instance, the .as domain has seen registrations from entities unrelated to American Samoa, including those associated with Asturias, a Spanish region. The suffix "AS" or "A/S" denotes a joint stock company in countries like Norway, Denmark, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, making the .as domain potentially useful for such companies. The domain has also been creatively used as a domain hack, especially for words ending in "a" where "-as" signifies the plural form in languages like English, Spanish, and Portuguese. An example includes the Brazilian website "escol.as," which translates to "schools."

In 2016, there was a reported vulnerability in a legacy registrar system for the .as domain, which could have exposed plain-text passwords of domain contacts. However, the AS Domain Registry later confirmed that all changes to legacy managed domains underwent human oversight and authentication, ensuring no misuse of the reported vulnerability.

Why should I buy a .as domain name?

If you're aiming to establish a presence in American Samoa, the .as domain is the most direct way to signal this connection. Whether you're a local business, a cultural entity, or an individual, a .as domain immediately identifies your association with this Pacific territory. It's a clear indicator to your audience or customers that you have roots in or ties to American Samoa.

Beyond its geographical significance, the .as domain is versatile and can be employed creatively. For instance, the suffix "AS" or "A/S" is recognized in several countries as an indicator of a joint stock company. This makes the .as domain potentially beneficial for such entities in countries like Norway, Denmark, Estonia, and the Czech Republic. Moreover, the domain has been used as a domain hack for words ending in "a," where "-as" can denote the plural form in languages like English, Spanish, and Portuguese. This offers unique branding opportunities, such as the Brazilian website "escol.as," meaning "schools."

One of the standout features of the .as domain is its accessibility. While it's the official domain for American Samoa, there aren't stringent restrictions on its registration. This means that even entities without a direct connection to American Samoa can register a .as domain. This broad accessibility makes it a popular choice for diverse entities, from businesses in Asturias, Spain, to tech platforms discussing autonomous systems.

In the vast digital landscape, standing out can be a challenge. An .as domain, with its unique connotations and potential for creative usage, can offer that edge. Whether you're leveraging it for its local significance, its business implications, or its linguistic playfulness, it's a domain that captures attention.

Information about the .as domain registry

.as - country code top-level domain name (ccTLD): American Samoa
Available domain TLDs: .as
Registry: AS Domain Registry
Website: http://www.nic.as
Public WHOIS server: none