Extension
.bio
.bio in short
The .bio domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced in 2014 and operated by Identity Digital. It carries a double meaning — “biology/organic” and “biography” — and is open to anyone, making it a flexible choice for life-science, organic and personal-profile sites.
.bio at a glance
Type
gTLD — Generic top-level domain
Registry
Identity Digital (originally Starting Dot / Afilias)
Launched
2014
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Open to anyone
Typical price
$55/yr
Example sites
biography & life-science sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .bio domain
Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.
What does .bio mean?
The .bio extension is unusual in carrying two distinct meanings at once. It is short for biology and — drawing on the French and Italian bio for organic — for natural and ecological products; and it is also the everyday abbreviation for biography. It was delegated in 2014 as part of ICANN's new-gTLD programme and is operated today by Identity Digital.
That breadth is the point: a single short word can describe a research lab, an organic farm or a personal profile page. Far from diluting the extension, the dual sense gives .bio an unusually wide and intuitive addressable market for a niche TLD.
Who uses .bio?
Three groups in particular. Life-science and biotech organisations use it to flag their field at a glance; organic, eco and natural-products brands use it for its “organic” connotation, strong in European markets; and individuals use name.bio as a link-in-bio or personal landing page — a natural fit for the modern “bio” in a social-media sense.
Because the term is open-ended, the registry places no restriction on which of these uses you choose, and the relatively small installed base means good short names are still available.
.bio registration rules and requirements
Registration is fully open. Despite the organic and scientific overtones, Identity Digital applies no certification, eligibility or proof requirement — anyone can register a .bio for any purpose on a first-come, first-served basis under standard ICANN policy. (This is a change from the extension's earliest days, when its first operator floated stricter organic-credential ideas that were not ultimately enforced.)
How much does a .bio cost?
A .bio is a mid-to-upper-priced gTLD. First-year promotions are often cheap (a few dollars), but the standard and renewal price sits around $55 per year. As always with new gTLDs, check the renewal figure before committing, since the introductory rate rarely lasts.
Is .bio good for SEO?
Like every generic TLD, .bio gets no ranking advantage or penalty from search engines. Its value is in human signalling: a name that instantly communicates “biology”, “organic” or “profile” can improve click-through and memorability for the right audience. The extension is SEO-neutral; the relevance of the name is what matters. See how to compare and choose a TLD.
.bio vs alternatives
For a personal page, .bio competes with .me and .link; for life-science and health brands it sits near .health and .care; and for organic products it is an alternative to a descriptive .store or .com. Its edge over all of these is the rare ability to mean three useful things with one short syllable.
.bio pros and cons
Pros
- A rare triple meaning: biology, organic and biography.
- Open to anyone, with no certification required.
- Ideal for link-in-bio and personal landing pages.
- Short, relevant names are still widely available.
Cons
- Mid-to-upper renewal price for a niche extension.
- The multiple meanings can be slightly ambiguous.
- Smaller recognition than mainstream generics.
- First-year promo rarely matches the renewal cost.
Example .bio websites
- Personal bio pages — individuals use name.bio as a link-in-bio or résumé landing page.
- Organic & eco brands — natural-product makers use .bio for its “organic” connotation.
- Life-science sites — biology and biotech projects flag their field with .bio.
.bio — frequently asked questions
What is the .bio domain?
The .bio domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched in 2014 and operated by Identity Digital. It carries a double meaning — “biology/organic” and “biography” — and is open to anyone, which makes it flexible for life-science, organic and personal-profile sites.
Who can register a .bio domain?
Anyone, anywhere can register a .bio domain. There is no organic certification or eligibility requirement; it is sold first-come, first-served through standard registrars.
How much does a .bio domain cost?
A .bio domain typically renews at around $55 per year, though first-year promotional prices are often only a few dollars. Always confirm the renewal rate before buying.
Is .bio for biology or biography?
Both — and also “organic”. The strength of .bio is that one short word covers biology and life sciences, organic and natural products, and personal biographies, with no restriction on which sense you use.