Directory >> Registries >> Repurposed ccTLD
SamoaNIC, operating under the Samoan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, manages the .WS domain registry.
Originally designated for Western Samoa, the .WS top-level domain was introduced in 1995 and has since been marketed globally, often interpreted as an abbreviation for "website" or "web service". The registry allows open registration without geographic restrictions, except for specific second-level domains like .org.ws, .gov.ws, and .edu.ws, which have usage limitations. Over time, .WS has gained popularity for creative uses, including domain hacks and emoji domains.
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