DomainTools Help
We're working on improving our products every day. Even so, we realize that there may be times when you have problems or questions about our site, our products, or domain names in general. Find the answers to common questions below. For general issues about domain names themselves, we suggest you look in our ever-expanding Learn section for information on a broad range of topics.
Search For Help
Help Topics
Domain Search
How do I get to Domain Search?
Domain Search has a new home in the Buy section of DomainTools.com.
Top of page ^
Product Information and Cost
What is Domain Search?
The Domain Search service is a tool used to search for current, expired and deleted domain names by keyword(s). This service is helpful for searching for a domain name pertaining to a business or person. Advanced options allow you to specify the placement of search terms in the domain name and to exclude particular terms. Following the initial search, additional options are available to exclude domains with numbers and/or hyphens and to limit to a specific length. The result set lists domains with their registration status at major TLDs.
Top of page ^How do I purchase a domain I find in search?
If a domain found in Domain Search is available for purchase, you can purchase that domain directly by visiting any ICANN registrar and establish an account if your are new to registering domain names. DomainTools simplifies this process for you - simply click on the preferred dot extension button of the domain name in the Domain Search results (when scrolled over it reads: "Buy This!") and you will be directed to our preferred ICANN registrar's website. If you already have an established Registrar account then simply use that to register the available name.
Top of page ^Can I download an Excel spreadsheet of the Domain Search results?
An Excel download is not currently available for this feature.
Top of page ^What is the difference between this tool and the Domain Suggestions tool?
The Domain Search tool is used to search the Whois database of already registered domains. With Domain Search, users may search for registered and previously registered domains using specific search terms and other advanced options including term exclusion. Domain Search results in a list of domains and their registration status at major TLD's. This tool is used for information purposes and not necessarily to find domains available for purchase. Domain Search allows you to use wild card search of all current, deleted, and expired domain names for over 11 years worth of history. The Domain Suggestions tool creates unique domain names based on keywords input by the user. This tool searches registered and available domain names using specific and related search terms. This tool is useful for suggesting to users similar domains, that are available for purchase, when the originally searched domain is not available.
Top of page ^
Performing a Search
What are anchors and how do I use them in Search?
Anchors are used for advanced search in order to help you obtain specific results. Descriptions of anchors and usage are as follows: Left Anchor: Place a ^ in front of a word to return all results starting with that word. For example: Make "San" appear first in the results by the carrot symbol in front of a word like this ^San Francisco Art. Right Anchor: Place a $ behind of a word to return all results ending with that word. For example: Make "Francisco" be the last word in all results like this San Francisco$ Art. To exclude strings: Use a ! in front of a word to exclude that character strings. To remove all "apart" results place the ! in front of a word like this San Francisco Art !apart.
Top of page ^
Search Result Questions
How do I purchase a domain I find in search?
If a domain found in Domain Search is available for purchase, you can purchase that domain by visiting an ICANN registrar. DomainTools simplifies this process for you - simply click on the preferred dot extension button of the domain name in the Domain Search results (when scrolled over it reads: "Buy This!") and you will be directed to our preferred ICANN registrar's website. You can also purchase any available name from an established registrar account that a person may already have.
Top of page ^What do the circular symbols in the search results represent? What happens when I click on one of these symbols?
The circular symbols adjacent to the listed domain names in results represent the availability of each dot-com extension of that particular domain name. For each domain name listed, the availability of the .COM, .NET., .ORG, .INFO, .US, and .BIZ extensions are listed. Representation of availability is as follows: White circle: Domain is available for purchase and has never been registered. Click on the circle to be directed to an ICANN registrar to purchase the domain name. Globe: The domain name is currently registered and an active website. Click on the image to view the Whois record for this domain name. Dotted circle: The domain name has been deleted and is now available for purchase. Red exclamation mark: The domain is on-hold (generic) Green exclamation mark: The domain is on-hold (redemption period) Black exclamation mark: The domain is on-hold (pending delete) P: The domain name is currently registered and parked or redirected. Backslash: The domain name is registered with no active website. Check mark: The domain name has been added to your Shopping Cart for purchase.
Top of page ^
Domain Search API
Is a Domain Search API available? How much does it cost?
See the DomainTools API home for details.
Top of page ^What is the Domain Search API?
The Domain Search API is a powerful tool used to find domain names. The API outputs domain name suggestions in an XML format in order to offer customers a way to obtain numerous domain name suggestions in an organized fashion. With the DomainTools API, you can access the same technology available through DomainTools.com from your website.
Top of page ^Does the Domain Search API give my customers the same capabilites on my site as it would if they were using the DomainTools site directly?
Yes. The Domain Search API offers the same efficient technology one would find on DomainTools.com directly though XML. Search is constantly updated and is sure to provide your customers with the same experience they'd find if using Domain Search on the DomainTools website.
Top of page ^