Everything You Need to Know About the .ma Domain

The .ma domain represents Morocco's digital identity on the web, establishing a unique connection between Moroccan entities and the virtual space. This exclusivity holds strategic importance for government institutions, businesses, and organizations seeking to assert their online presence under the banner of Morocco.

What is the .ma Domain?

The .ma domain is a national top-level domain (country code top-level domain or ccTLD) dedicated to Morocco. It was created in 1993, following the introduction of the Internet to the country by ANRT. Managed by ANRT, the entity authorized by ICANN, the global domain name regulation authority.

The .ma ccTLD allows Moroccan entities, whether public, private, or associative, to have a personalized and easily memorable web address. It reflects their affiliation with Morocco and enhances their credibility among internet users. It also provides better protection against cybersquatting, the practice of wrongfully registering domain names corresponding to brands, proper names, or generic terms.

What Are the Subdomains of .ma?

The .ma domain offers a diverse range of subdomains, allowing precise specialization based on the needs and activities of the entities involved:

• .co.ma: for commercial entities.
• .gov.ma: for government entities.
• .org.ma: for non-governmental and non-commercial organizations.
• .ac.ma: for academic and educational institutions.
• .press.ma: for press and media organizations.
• .net.ma: for internet service providers and network-related entities.

Who Is Eligible to Register a .ma Domain?

The registration or renewal of a domain name under the .ma domain is open to entities established in Morocco, as well as those with legal representation in Morocco or possessing documentation justifying naming rights in Morocco.

Individuals residing in Morocco are also eligible, provided they submit documentation justifying naming rights in Morocco.

How to Register a .ma Domain?

The registration of a domain name with the .ma extension is processed through ANRT-approved registrars. The process is typically completed within a few business days after submitting all required documentation.

The registration requires proper documentation including proof of identity, proof of business registration or trademark ownership, and a completed registration form.

What Are the Rules Applicable to .ma Domain Names?

Each domain name must strictly adhere to naming conventions, derived from technical or administrative constraints to ensure a logical organization of the .ma zone.

Syntactic Constraints

• The domain name must have a minimum of two and a maximum of 63 characters.
• The domain name must consist only of the characters: 'a' to 'z', '0' to '9,' and the symbol '-' (hyphen).
• The domain name must not consist solely of numbers.
• The symbol '-' (hyphen) cannot be accepted in the initial or final position.
• The characters used must be exclusively lowercase, as domain names are case-insensitive.

Administrative Constraints

• Any entity requesting registration must provide documentation justifying name ownership.
• Only abbreviations and acronyms mentioned in the justifying document are accepted.
• The domain name belongs to the entity requesting registration and not to the registrar or an intermediary.

Prohibited Terms

• The domain name must not be offensive, rude, misleading, deceptive, or contrary to morality.
• Certain names are not assignable, such as names of regions, countries, cities, professions, generic names, or the names of individuals or personalities.

Is the Registration of a .ma Domain Free?

The registration of .ma domain names involves fees set by authorized registrars. Prices may vary depending on the registrar and the type of services included.

What Are the Advantages of a .ma Domain?

The .ma domain offers numerous advantages for Moroccan entities looking to establish a distinctive digital identity and gain increased visibility on the web.

Domain Name Availability

The .ma domain offers the opportunity to have a domain name that precisely matches the name of a company or a registered trademark.

Credibility with Internet Users

The .ma domain provides credibility and legitimacy to the entity among internet users, who easily recognize its affiliation with Morocco. It is also a symbol of quality and seriousness, subject to strict naming and management rules, ensuring the respect of intellectual property rights.

Improved Search Engine Ranking

The .ma domain signals to search engines that the entity is based in Morocco, increasing the chances of appearing on the first page in searches related to the activity and geographical area.