How to Protect Your Brand from Domain Squatters

You launch your product. It starts getting traction. Then you realize: someone registered your brand name with every other TLD, and they want $5,000 for each one.

Welcome to domain squatting. Here's how to fight back—and prevent it from happening in the first place.

What Is Domain Squatting?

Domain squatting (cybersquatting) is registering domain names that match existing brands or trademarks with the intent to profit from reselling them.

It's a $1 billion+ industry, and it preys on founders who don't think ahead.

The Three Types of Squatters

1. Trademark Squatters

Register exact brand names: yourbrand.io, yourbrand.ai

2. Typosquatters

Register common misspellings: gooogle.com, facebok.com

3. TLD Squatters

Register every possible extension: .net, .co, .org, .xyz

Defensive Registration Strategy

Smart brands register defensively before they need to.

Tier 1: Essential (Day 1)

• Your exact name + .com (or primary TLD)
• Your exact name + .net, .org
• Common misspellings of your name

Tier 2: Important (Month 1)

• Your name + relevant TLDs (.io, .ai, .co)
• Your name + country codes where you operate
• Plural/singular variations

Tier 3: Nice to Have (Year 1)

• Your name + emerging TLDs
• Related keyword domains
• Defensive typo registrations

Cost-benefit: A $50/year defensive portfolio is cheaper than one $5,000 squatter negotiation.

What If You're Already Squatted?

Option 1: Negotiate

Squatters often start high. Many settle for $500-2,000. Never show desperation.

Option 2: UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy)

If you have a registered trademark, you can file a UDRP complaint (~$1,500 filing fee). Win rate for trademark holders: 85%+.

Option 3: Rebrand

Sometimes the cheapest option. Especially if your current name isn't trademarked.

Option 4: Wait Them Out

Domains expire. Set up monitoring for when the squatter's registration lapses.

Social Media Matters Too

Domain squatting isn't just about websites. Protect your brand across:

• Twitter/X
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• TikTok
• GitHub
• Discord

Register your brand handle on all major platforms—even if you don't plan to use them. Squatters operate there too.

The Brand Safety Checklist

Before launching, verify:

• [ ] Primary domain secured
• [ ] Key alternate TLDs registered
• [ ] Social handles claimed (all platforms)
• [ ] No existing companies with same/similar name
• [ ] Trademark search completed
• [ ] Google search shows no conflicts

Tools for Protection

*Want to check if your brand name is truly available? Run a deep audit that checks domain availability, social handles, and corporate conflicts in one search.*