A domain search answers one question before you build a brand: is this name free? Kwebby's Domain Availability Checker searches a name across 13 TLDs in one run and suggests alternatives with AI. A taken .com no longer means starting from scratch.
This guide explains how to read the result, how to choose between extensions and what to check before you register a name.
Key Takeaways
- Kwebby's Domain Availability Checker tests a name across 13 TLDs using registry RDAP and WHOIS data and shows which are available, which are taken and which could not be confirmed.
- You type the name without an extension, for example mybrand, and the tool adds the TLDs for you.
- The AI Names button suggests up to 10 alternative names and checks each one live as a .com.
- Google's John Mueller has said nothing in Google's algorithms looks specifically for hyphens in domain names, so choose a name people can say and spell.
- Google treats most extensions, including .com and newer ones, as generic, and some country code extensions such as .io are treated as generic too.
- Before you register, check the name's history and any trademark conflict.
What Is the Kwebby Domain Availability Checker?
Kwebby's Domain Availability Checker is a free tool that shows whether a domain name is available to register. Enter a name such as mybrand without an extension and it checks the name across 13 TLDs, then marks each as available or taken. It also offers AI-powered alternative names, each with a live availability check.
The tool checks availability. It does not sell domains, so you register an available name with the registrar of your choice.
Key Features and How It Works
The page has two buttons, Check TLDs and AI Names, and two result tabs. Together they take you from one idea to a short list of options.
Search 13 TLDs at Once
A TLD is the extension at the end of a domain, such as .com or .org. Type the name once and the tool checks it across 13 extensions at the same time: .com, .net, .org, .io, .co, .info, .biz, .us, .co.uk, .ca, .ai, .dev and .app. If your preferred .com is taken, you can see right away whether a .net, .org or other extension is open.
Live Availability Result
The tool queries registration data when you press Check, so the answer reflects the moment of your search. It asks the registry's RDAP service first. For TLDs without RDAP, such as .io, .us and .co, it asks the registry's WHOIS server instead, and as a last resort it checks DNS. Each name shows Available, Taken or Unknown. Unknown means the registry did not give a clear answer, so check that name at a registrar. Availability changes. A name that is free now can be registered by someone else before you reach a registrar, so treat the result as a prompt to act, not a reservation.
AI Names for Alternatives
When the name you want is taken, press AI Names. An AI language model suggests up to 10 short alternative names, and the tool checks each one live as a .com, which saves you from typing variations by hand. The AI feature allows 10 requests per minute per visitor.
What the Result Does Not Tell You
An "available" result says the registry holds no registration for the name. It does not tell you whether the name infringes a trademark, whether it had a spammy past, or what a registrar will charge. Premium and reserved names can show as available and then cost more or be blocked at checkout, and the tool does not check aftermarket listings. For a taken name, the WHOIS Checker shows the registration record where the owner has not hidden it.
Why Choosing the Right Domain Name Matters
A domain name is the address of your site and often your email, so changing it later costs time and risks traffic. Mueller has warned that moving to a new domain just to add keywords tends to cause more problems than it solves. Pick the name carefully the first time.
Search is a small part of the choice. A name should be easy to say, easy to spell and different from competitors. Rankings come from content, links and a good site. See the SEO Tools group for checks you can run once the site is live.
How to Use the Domain Availability Checker
Follow these steps to test a name.
- Enter the name. Type the name without an extension, such as mybrand, in the box.
- Press Check TLDs. The tool searches the name across the 13 TLDs.
- Read each result. Each extension shows as Available, Taken or Unknown.
- Press AI Names. If your first choice is taken, get alternative suggestions with live checks.
- Check the history. Run any name you like through the Domain Age Checker and the WHOIS Checker.
- Register promptly. Buy the name from a registrar you trust before someone else does.
If a search fails, use the "Report if not working" button on the page.
Best Practices for Choosing a Domain Name
Good names are short, clear and safe to use. These habits avoid regret.
Make the Name Easy to Say and Spell
Say the name aloud to a friend and ask them to type it. If they hesitate, simplify. A short, invented or distinctive word is easier to remember than a string of keywords. Numbers and hyphens are harder to explain on a phone call, which is a practical reason to avoid them.
Do Not Fear Hyphens for Ranking Reasons
Some guides say hyphenated domains rank worse. Mueller's answer was that he did not think anything in Google's algorithms looks specifically for hyphens in domain names. Avoid hyphens for readability, not for rankings.
Choose the Extension to Fit Your Audience
A .com is familiar, but it is not a ranking boost. Google's guidance on multi-regional sites says country code extensions send a strong signal that a site targets one country, while generic extensions need other signals such as hreflang. Google also treats some country code extensions, such as .io, as generic. Pick the extension that suits your brand and market.
Test Combined Names
Mixing two word lists produces many options quickly. The Word Combiner generates every combination of your lists, and you can paste the best ones into the checker.
Check Trademarks and History
A free name can still cause trouble. The Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy exists to resolve trademark-based disputes such as cybersquatting, so search for conflicts before you register. Also check what the name was used for earlier, since a past as a spam site can follow it.
Secure Close Variations
If the brand matters, consider registering common misspellings or other extensions so nobody else can use them next to your name.
Common Use Cases
- New businesses. Test a shortlist of names before you commit to a brand.
- Agencies and freelancers. Check names for a client project before the first meeting.
- Rebrands. See whether the new name is available across the extensions you need.
- Competitor and market research. See which extensions a rival owns.
- Domain history checks. Learn how old a name is before you decide on a purchase.
Related Kwebby Tools
A name is only the start of a domain's profile. These tools help with the next questions.
- Domain Age Checker shows the registration date, expiry and registrar of a domain.
- WHOIS Checker shows the registration record and nameservers.
- Domain Hosting Checker detects the hosting provider and IP of a domain.
- Bulk Domain Age Checker checks the age of many domains at once.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I check if a domain name is available?
Enter the name without an extension in the Kwebby Domain Availability Checker and press Check TLDs. The tool tests it across 13 TLDs and marks each one as Available, Taken or Unknown. If you like an available result, register it with a registrar soon.
What should I look for in a domain name?
Choose a name that is short, easy to say and spell, and fits your brand. Check its history and any trademark conflict before you register. Rankings depend on your site, not on the name.
Is .com the best extension for SEO?
No extension gives a ranking boost. Google treats .com and most newer extensions as generic, so choose the one that fits your audience. A .com is familiar to many people, while a country code extension signals a country.
Do hyphens in a domain hurt SEO?
Google's John Mueller has said nothing in Google's algorithms looks specifically for hyphens in domain names. Hyphens can still make a name harder to say and type, so many people avoid them.
What can I do if my domain is taken?
Press AI Names for alternatives, try another extension, or add a word to the name. You can also look up the owner with the WHOIS Checker, though some records hide contact details.
Is the Kwebby Domain Availability Checker free?
Yes. The Domain Availability Checker is free to use and needs no account.
Final Thoughts
A good domain name is short, clear and free of legal trouble. Test your shortlist across the TLDs, use AI Names when a favorite is taken and check each finalist's history before you pay.
Run your best candidate through the Domain Age Checker next. If you need a site to go with the new name, Kwebby's development services can help.