Hover protects the privacy of domain owners by default, but sometimes you may want to reach out to a domain's owner — for example, if you're interested in acquiring it. This article walks you through using WHOIS and Contact Privacy Inc.'s contact form to send a message to a domain owner. There's no guarantee the owner will respond, but this is the correct way to try.
Before you begin
- The domain name you want to inquire about.
- A brief, clear subject line and message describing why you're reaching out — vague or spam-like messages are less likely to get a response.
Step 1: Confirm the domain uses privacy protection
- Do a WHOIS lookup for the domain to confirm it can be contacted through contactprivacy.com.
- Enter the domain name, select Perform lookup, check the captcha box, then select Continue.
- Check that the Registrant Name listed in the results is "Contact Privacy Inc." — this confirms the domain is using privacy protection and can be reached through the contact form.
Step 2: Send your message
- Go to contactprivacy.com, enter the domain name, and select Submit.
- From the drop-down menu, select the contact you want to reach (for example, the registrant or admin contact).
- Enter your email address and a concise, clear subject line for your message.
- Type your message, check the captcha box, and select Submit.
You'll see a confirmation message on screen letting you know your message was sent to the contact you selected. Note: It's entirely up to the domain owner whether to respond — Contact Privacy Inc. only relays the message.
Next steps
- Consider a backup plan: if the owner doesn't respond, you may want to check back periodically or explore other domain options.
Questions? Contact Hover Support.