Afnic has been appointed as the new Registry Operator for the .gp (Guadeloupe), .gf (French Guiana) and .mq (Martinique) country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). By the end of the year, these three extensions will join the other French overseas TLDs already operated by Afnic: .re, .yt, .pm, .wf and .tf.
This marks a new milestone in the management of French overseas domain names, providing businesses with a modern, secure and trusted registry infrastructure for registering and managing their domains. For the first time, all domain name extensions corresponding to France’s overseas departments and territories will be operated by a single registry.
Afnic Strengthens Its Role in Managing French Overseas TLDs
Already responsible for several French ccTLDs (country code Top-Level Domains), Afnic is expanding its portfolio to include:
- .gp – Guadeloupe
- .gf – French Guiana
- .mq – Martinique
As a result, Afnic will manage a total of eight French overseas domain extensions, further reinforcing its expertise in operating national and territorial registries.
What Does This Mean for Domain Name Holders?
For registrants of .gp, .gf and .mq domain names, the transition is primarily administrative.
Existing domain names will continue to operate without interruption, and no service disruption is expected. Accredited registrars will manage any operational changes related to the transition. Registration fees are also expected to drop.
However, the Afnic naming charter will apply to these domain names, which imposes the obligation for domain holders to be located within the European Economic Area and to be reachable by phone or e-mail.
Why Register a .gp, .gf or .mq Domain Name?
Geographic domain extensions enable businesses to strengthen their local presence while protecting their digital identity.
Registering a .gp, .gf or .mq domain name offers several benefits:
- demonstrate a strong presence in Guadeloupe, French Guiana or Martinique;
- build trust with local customers;
- strengthen your brand protection strategy;
- reduce the risk of cybersquatting;
- create a digital identity aligned with your regional activities.
For national and international companies operating in the French overseas territories, these extensions provide a valuable complement to .fr and .com domain names.
An Opportunity to Strengthen Brand Protection
This transition is also an excellent opportunity for trademark owners to review their domain name portfolios.
Businesses should ensure that their brands are protected under the key extensions relevant to their markets in order to:
- prevent abusive registrations;
- protect their trademarks against impersonation;
- strengthen their online presence;
- reduce the risks of phishing and reputational damage.
Today, an effective domain name strategy extends well beyond generic TLDs. Geographic extensions have become an increasingly important component of comprehensive brand protection and digital asset management strategies.
Moreover, the PARL-EXERT and SYRELI procedure should apply to these ccTLDs, thereby harmonizing domain dispute rules accross all French departments.
Register a .gp, .gf or .mq Domain Name with IP Twins
At IP Twins, we help businesses register, manage, monitor and secure their domain names across more than 1,000 domain extensions worldwide.
Whether you are looking to register a .gp, .gf or .mq domain name, protect your trademarks against cybersquatting, or centralize the management of your international domain portfolio, our experts can support you at every stage of your digital brand protection strategy.