You’ve likely encountered a .com, .org, or .net, but have you come across a .gg? As a domain name extension, .gg is slowly gaining traction, but what does it stand for?
While not everyone may be familiar with the Bailiwick of Guernsey, if you have heard of the .gg extension, then you are familiar with the domain extension owned by this group of islands.
The .gg domain is the country code top-level domain for Guernsey and several other islands located in the English Channel.
It has grown in popularity in recent years due to its adoption by many state-side businesses and organizations. The domain extension offers a unique alternative to traditional .com, .org, or .net websites.
The popularity of the .gg domain extension is largely due to the gaming community. I’ll help you unravel the mystery of the .gg domain name extension, its origins, and why it may be the right choice for you.
Why Do Gamers Go Crazy Over the .gg Domain Extension?
Despite its delegation to this region (Guernsey), the .gg domain is available to anyone in the world. Since the boom of online gaming and eSport, it has become synonymous with the gaming industry.
The simple, two-letter extension is viewed as an abbreviation for “Good Game.” This phrase is uttered by players as a sign of good sportsmanship and is widely used in the online multiplayer universe. For many gamers, it is standard practice and good manners to type GG into the chat at the end of every match / game / duel etc.
The .GG domain has been adopted by gamers worldwide.
The extension has been used by some of the biggest companies in the industry. If you want to stand out and get your website noticed by loyal gamers across the globe, this domain may be for you.
According to Nigel Roberts of Island Networks, which manages the .GG and.JE (Jersey) domain spaces, says that GG registrations climbed by 5-10% in 2021.
He said: “We can only surmise that when people are stuck at home, registering a domain name (and/or playing a computer game) can be the height of one’s day!”
Why Choose a .gg Domain Extension?
With this extension tacked on the end of your web address, you’re already letting your audience know what you’re all about. It’s a simple and recognizable domain extension that is relevant among a large sector of Internet users. Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry with dedicated fans.
Whether you’re creating a website for a game developer, publisher, or digital news outlet, the .gg extension can create an automatic connection with users. It can even be used by bloggers who want to cover the latest and greatest in video game content.
The domain can ultimately help you reach your target audience. Web users searching for video game content will be more inclined to click on an address with the .gg extension than some of the more common alternatives. It’s an attention-grabber that may produce more traffic and natural growth.
According to Web Tech Surveys, as recently as May 2023, .gg extensions have a tendency to be used on fewer sites than .com, .org and .net as you might expect, but they are more likely to be used on websites with higher traffic.
What Websites Use .gg Domain Extension?
Discord.gg is probably the most high profile user of a .gg domain extension. It’s a popular text / chat app used by gamers worldwide and has over 300m users.
Other websites that have .gg as their default URL are:
- Op.gg – Gaming stats search engine.
- U.gg – League of Legends stat site
- Mobalytics.gg – Personal gaming assistant app
- Tftactics.gg – Cheat guides for TeamFight Tactics game
- Lolchess.gg – Gaming leaderboard site
- Maxroll.gg – News and resources for a number of gaming titles
- Tracker.gg – Tracking Stats & Leaderboards for top video games.
- Top.gg – the largest platform for @discord bot & server discovery.
- Porofessor.gg – League of Legends live game search and real-time player statistics.
- Bigtime.gg – multiplayer action RPG that makes collectable NFTs accessible to everyone.
Ideas for .gg Domain Use
The great thing about the .gg domain is that it’s very versatile. You could easily tack the extension onto your company name for a simple web address that’s easy to remember.
Because it’s not a traditional extension, web addresses with .gg look great on advertisements and marketing campaigns as well. For example, if you own a blog that reviews new gaming products, you could use the domain playa.gg.
When spoken out loud, this reads, “Play a Good Game.” It’s short, simple, and indicates what your website is all about.
Another way you can use the .gg extension creatively is with domain hacking. The act of hacking a domain name involves using the extension to create small words that ultimately become a part of your company’s brand identity. This technique is quite easy with a fun domain like .gg.
Where Can You Buy a .gg Domain?
While the .gg domain extension was originally intended to be used by companies and individuals associated with Guernsey, the territory has opened up the domain for anyone interested in using it.
It’s a very popular domain that’s offered by most good domain registrars.
Here are two of the cheapest options.
NameCheap.com – .gg Domain Name Price:
$68.98 per year – (renews at $70.98)
Hover.com – .gg Domain Name Price:
$79.99 per year – (renews at $79.99)
Are There Any .gg Domain Restrictions?
You’ll be happy to know that there are no major restrictions to using the .gg domain. It’s accessible to any business or individual, regardless of location or industry.
You can register the domain for up to 10 years at a time. Many registrars also offer private registration as well.
What happens to my .gg domain if I let it expire by accident?
To start with, your website and any email services aligned to it will stop working. There is no immediate danger of losing your .gg domain as most domain registrars will give you 30 days after the expiry date to renew the domain at the normal renewal price.