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# Vercel.app subdomain squatting policy

125 views · 1 like · 4 posts


MC Naveen (@mcnaveen) · 2024-10-02

I'm working on an open-source customer feedback management platform called liny https://github.com/mcnaveen/liny and I wanted to host it on Vercel.

Ofc, I'll use a custom domain name in the future. But for now, I wanted to stick with the subdomain given by Vercel. My bad, Someone already grabbed `liny.vercel.app` and it just greets with this page.

![zGmJEPML8LQnGKvt000017|690x424](upload://hEXBEoOq3ubPidjy9KeT5QYnzll.png)

So it makes me wonder why vercel doesn't have a subdomain squatting policy. Meaning.

If the project is 404 for a x amount of time. Why not just release the subdomain and let others use it?

Just like Ant Wilson pauses the supabase instance when not being used for x amount of time.


Amy Egan (@amyegan) · 2024-10-02 · ♥ 1

Hi @mcnaveen! There are a couple of reasons the domain might be reserved. It could already be added to someone else's project or `liny` could be the name of someone else's team.

I recommend choosing a different `*.vercel.app` subdomain or adding a [custom domain](https://vercel.com/docs/projects/domains/add-a-domain#adding-&-configuring-a-custom-domain) for greater control.


MC Naveen (@mcnaveen) · 2024-10-03

Hi @amyegan Yes, I understand. But the error message says "Deployment not found"
So in that case, why not vercel releasing the subdomain?

Why there is no subdomain squatting policy?


Amy Egan (@amyegan) · 2024-10-03

This may not be a case of subdomain squatting. The developer may have temporarily removed their production deployment while working on the project. Or `liny` could be the name of a team which reserves that subdomain due to the team name. Or there could be another legitimate reason that the subdomain is reserved.

A [custom domain](https://vercel.com/docs/projects/domains/add-a-domain#adding-&-configuring-a-custom-domain) is the way to go if you want something tailored to your app name. You can get one with any third party registrar and use it with your Vercel project. Otherwise, choosing a different `*.vercel.app` is the best option for now.