.author Domain
.author is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated in 2015 and managed as a closed registry by Amazon Registry Services. Despite its name, it is not available to authors or outside publishers: it is exclusively owned by Amazon.
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About the .AUTHOR domain
What is the .AUTHOR domain?
Despite its name suggesting a direct link to writers and authors, .author is what's known as a "closed generic" registry: Amazon, as the sole applicant to ICANN and registry operator, is the only entity that can register names under this extension, with no organization, institution, or individual outside the company able to do so. All .author domains are owned by Amazon and cannot be delegated or transferred to any third party; since Amazon is the only possible registrant, there is also no process for transferring between registrars. This "closed generic" policy, also applied by Amazon to other thematically related extensions such as .book and .read, generated notable controversy at the time: authors' associations and independent publishers publicly opposed having generic terms commonly used in the publishing industry fall under the exclusive control of a single company.
.author is a "closed generic" registry: Amazon, as the sole applicant and registry operator, is the only entity that can register names under this extension. No organization, institution, or individual outside Amazon can register or be delegated a .author domain, and since no other registrants are possible, inter-registrar transfers do not apply either. Contact our team if you need guidance on alternatives for your project.
Uses of .AUTHOR
Who is the .AUTHOR domain for?
These are the most common situations where .AUTHOR is the ideal extension.
Internal use by Amazon tied to its publishing ecosystem
The only real use of this extension, with no third-party access.
Not available to authors, publishers, or the general public
No independent writer or publisher can register a .author domain.
.AUTHOR vs other extensions
Which extension suits you best?
Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .AUTHOR with the most common alternatives to help you choose.
| Extension | Best for | Restrictions | Registration price |
|---|---|---|---|
| .author This page | Exclusive use by Amazon | Not available to third parties | Not available |
| .com | Any project available for public registration | None | $14.99/yr |
Registration process
How to register your .AUTHOR domain at miHosting
Check availability
Type the name you want in the search bar. We show you in seconds whether it's available or if you need to look for alternatives.
Complete registration
Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
Your domain is live
Within minutes your .AUTHOR domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about the .AUTHOR domain
Can I register a .author domain as a writer?
No, despite its name, this extension is a closed registry exclusively for Amazon.
Why did this extension generate controversy?
Authors' associations and publishers opposed Amazon having exclusive control of generic terms like "author," "book," or "read."
Can a .author domain be transferred to another registrar?
No, since Amazon is the only possible registrant, no inter-registrar transfer process exists.
Who manages the .author domain?
Amazon Registry Services, Inc., with technical operations run by Nominet. It was delegated to the root zone on December 2, 2015.
What alternative does miHosting recommend for a writer's project?
A generic extension like .com or .net, available immediately. Contact our team to weigh your options.
Register your .AUTHOR today
Your .AUTHOR domain.
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