This Redditor Bought A .US Domain: He Wasn't Ready For What Happened
Unlike most extensions, .US has a special requirement when it comes to privacy and the Whois database. That means more visibility for your business — but potentially more spam. Here’s what to expect and how to stay protected.
.US WHOIS Is Public: What It Means for You (and How to Protect Yourself)
Thinking about a .US domain? Unlike most popular TLDs, .US does not allow WHOIS privacy or proxy services. That means your registrant contact details (name, address, email, phone) are published in public WHOIS by policy. Below, we explain the implications, share real community experiences, and show how to register safely and responsibly.
Why .US data is public
The .US registry requires accurate, up-to-date WHOIS data and explicitly prohibits privacy/proxy services. The policy is intended to promote accountability in the American country-code namespace. In practice, it also makes .US registrants more reachable—by customers, but unfortunately also by unsolicited marketers.
What to expect after you register a .US domain
- Increased unsolicited outreach shortly after registration
- Cold emails and sales calls referencing your new domain
- WHOIS lookups that display your submitted contact details
This behavior is common anytime contact data is public. It does not mean your registrar sold your information. WHOIS is a public directory; third parties can harvest it and contact new domain owners.
What the community is saying: Reddit takeaways
Case study: New .US registrant experience
A user who chose .US after .com, .net, and .org were taken reported a surge of spam within ~48 hours:
- Multiple promotional calls and blank voicemails
- Frequent SMS messages from unknown senders
- Discovery that .US does not support WHOIS privacy
- After-the-fact mitigation by changing public contact email (results apply only going forward)
Their lesson: Do your due diligence on a TLD’s privacy posture before printing business cards, publishing QR codes, or distributing contact details tied to a public WHOIS.
Practical tips echoed by commenters
- Create a dedicated, role-based email used only for domain registrations (e.g.,
admin@yourbrand.us) - Use a business/VoIP number with call screening or voicemail-first routing
- Consider a business mailing address or compliant mail-handling service (verify .US rules before using P.O. Boxes or virtual addresses)
- If testing inbound interest, disable privacy on one non-.US domain first to gauge spam before applying broadly
- Remember: Billing address for payment is separate from WHOIS contact data—keep WHOIS accurate and compliant
Note: Some commenters reported little spam on .com even without privacy, while .US drew more unwanted contact. This is anecdotal and can vary, but highlights how different TLD policies can affect exposure.
How to reduce risk and nuisance while staying compliant
Quick safety checklist
- Use role-based emails rather than personal inboxes
- Adopt call-filtering tools and voicemail screening
- Provide a business contact address that meets .US nexus and contactability requirements
- Set email rules and filters for the first weeks after registration
- Rotate unique email aliases for domain registrations to track misuse
Important: .US has nexus requirements. You must have a legitimate U.S. presence and accurate contact data. Submitting false information can lead to suspension. If your details change, update WHOIS promptly.
Do you need privacy? Consider these alternatives
Many other TLDs (for example, most gTLDs like .com, .net, .org) support WHOIS privacy or publish limited data due to global privacy frameworks. If personal privacy is a priority, consider registering your brand on a TLD that supports privacy and using the .US domain only where your use case requires it.
During checkout at EuroDNS, we clearly indicate whether privacy is available for a given TLD. You can also add WHOIS privacy (where supported) to existing domains via your account.
Frequently asked questions
Is WHOIS privacy available for .US?
No. Registry policy prohibits privacy and proxy services for .US domains.
What exactly is public on .US WHOIS?
Registrant contact data (name, postal address, email, phone) and the usual domain metadata. Accuracy is required; inaccurate data can result in suspension.
Can I use a P.O. Box or a registered/virtual address?
You must meet .US nexus rules and provide accurate, reachable contact details. Some forwarding or virtual services may be acceptable for mail handling, but verify compliance first—P.O. Boxes and certain services may not meet policy requirements.
Why did spam start right after I registered?
Anecdotally, new registrations can attract attention because public WHOIS data appears quickly and may be monitored by marketers. Using registration-only contact details and filters can reduce impact.
I am receiving spam after registering .US. What can I do?
- Switch to role-based email and filter aggressively
- Use a call-screening or call-blocking service
- Report abusive messages to your email provider and relevant authorities
Is the U.S. government changing .US WHOIS rules?
Policymakers have explored options to gate or limit access to .US WHOIS data. As of now, privacy/proxy remains prohibited. We will update customers if the policy changes.
Register responsibly with EuroDNS
If you need a .US domain for your brand or U.S. operations, we are here to help you register responsibly and configure your contacts correctly. If privacy is essential for your use case, search for alternatives that support WHOIS privacy.
Top 4 Web Hosting Services for Startups
Related articles:
