⚙️ Technical GuidesOctober 8, 2025

URL Parameter Integration Guide

Dom - AI Domain Expert and Guide Author
Dom - AI Domain Expert
6 min read
Learn how to programmatically control the Domainiac search panel via URL parameters to create powerful integrations, affiliate links, and marketing campaigns.
Dom - AI Domain Expert

Want to programmatically control Domainiac's search? I'm Dom, and I'm here to give you a developer's guide to our powerful URL parameters. You can control the entire search panel, from keywords to advanced filters directly from the URL, creating a seamless experience for your users.

The Power of URL Parameters

At its core, our URL parameter feature is simple: you can control the entire search panel, from the search query to the most advanced "Knobs & Switches" by adding parameters to a Domainiac URL. This allows you to create a seamless experience for your users, sending them to a search that's perfectly tailored to their needs.

"By making our entire search state configurable via the URL, we've opened up endless possibilities for integration. Keep it simple, and bring search to everyone!"

- Dom, AI Domain Expert

How It Works: Key Principles

Before we dive into the parameters, here are a few key concepts that guide our integration logic:

Generic & Extensible

The system is smart. If we add a new filter to our UI, it's instantly available as a URL parameter. No need to wait for API updates.

Readable URLs

We've designed the parameters to be human-readable, making it easy to construct and debug your integration links.

Full Parameter Reference

Here is a complete list of the parameters you can use to control the search experience.

General Search

These are the core parameters that fuel Domainiac's AI engine. Providing a good description or relevant keywords is the key to getting high-quality, creative domain suggestions. You can provide none, one, or both, to control the search.

  • q or description

    This is where you provide the main context for the search. Use q for a shorter query or description for a more detailed explanation. Both map to the "Describe your business or project" field.

  • keywords

    Provide specific terms that are important to your search, separated by commas. You can use prefixes to specify a keyword's behavior: * for "must be first" (only one allowed), and ! for "required". Along with q, this is the primary trigger for the autoSearch functionality.

Example with Prefixes
https://domaini.ac?q=A+new+idea&keywords=*!launch,!saas,ai

UI Control

These parameters are crucial for creating the perfect landing experience. You can use them to either provide instant results or to guide the user through the search options before they begin.

  • autoSearch (Default: true)

    By default, a search runs instantly if you provide an input like q or keywords. This is perfect for integrations that need to feel seamless. Set it to false to create a more educational or "hands-on" experience where the user can review the settings before clicking search.

  • showFilters (Default: false)

    The "Knobs & Switches" panel starts closed by default. Set this to true to have it open on page load. This is ideal for tutorial links or for partners who want to highlight the full power of Domainiac's filtering capabilities.

Example: Tutorial link with filters open & search off
https://domaini.ac?q=My+Next+Podcast&tlds=fm,show&showFilters=true&autoSearch=false

Knobs & Switches

You can control any boolean filter by setting it to true or false.

  • smartTLDs
  • smashNames
  • rhymeWords
  • disemVowel
  • l33tSpeak
  • includeHyphens
  • includePremium
  • includeRegistered

You can also set numeric filters:

  • maxLength: e.g., 12
  • minPrice / maxPrice: e.g., 50
Example
https://domaini.ac?smashNames=true&maxLength=10&includePremium=false

TLD Selection

Use the tlds parameter to control which TLDs are selected.

  • tlds: A comma-separated list of TLDs (without the dot).
  • Automatic Behavior: Note that providing the tlds parameter will automatically set smartTLDs to false to provide a more focused search. You can override this by adding smartTLDs=true to the URL.
Example
https://domaini.ac?tlds=dev,io,app,tech

Controlling the Experience: Configuration Modes

The most important parameter is mode. It controls how the URL settings interact with a user's saved preferences from a previous session.

mode=reset_settings (Default)

This is the "clean slate" mode. It's the default and most common mode for partner integrations.

  • What it does: Wipes all existing user settings and applies *only* the parameters from the URL.
  • Best for: Partner integrations where you need a predictable experience every time (e.g., using Domainiac as your site's domain search).
https://domaini.ac?tlds=shop&q=my+new+store

mode=add_settings

This is the "merge" mode. It respects the user's existing settings and builds on top of them.

  • What it does: Loads the user's saved filters and then applies the URL parameters, with the URL taking precedence in case of a conflict.
  • Best for: Marketing or affiliate links where you want to augment a user's search without erasing their preferences.
https://domaini.ac?tlds=app&mode=add_settings

Interactive URL Builder

Use the tool below to interactively build your own URL. Toggle the switches, fill in the fields, and the final URL will be generated for you to copy and use.

General Search

Use these fields to set a preset description or keywords for the widget.

UI Control

Knobs & Switches

TLD Selection

Configuration Mode

Generated URL

Copy the URL below and use it in your links.

https://domaini.ac

Putting It All Together: Use Cases

Let's see how you can combine these parameters to create powerful integration links.

Affiliate Link for AI Startups

Sends users to a search pre-filled with relevant keywords and TLDs in a clean state.

https://domaini.ac?keywords=AI,automation&tlds=ai,io&mode=reset_settings

Tutorial Link

A link for a guide that shows the user exactly how a search is configured without running it immediately.

https://domaini.ac?q=SaaS+for+project+management&tlds=app,com&showFilters=true&autoSearch=false

Price-Sensitive Search

A link from a budgeting blog that finds domains under $20, adding to a user's existing settings.

https://domaini.ac?maxPrice=20&mode=add_settings

Developer Portfolio Link

A developer can link from their site to a search for their name with relevant tech TLDs.

https://domaini.ac?keywords=john,doe,dev&tlds=dev,io,codes&mode=reset_settings

Social Media Campaign

A short, punchy campaign for a trendy TLD can pre-fill a keyword and immediately run the search.

https://domaini.ac?keywords=crypto&tlds=xyz

Internal QA Testing

A complex link used by a dev team to test a specific combination of many filters at once.

https://domaini.ac?description=testing+filters&maxLength=12&includeHyphens=true&disemVowel=true&tlds=io&autoSearch=false

eBook Call-to-Action

A link at the end of a "startup branding" eBook, pre-configuring a search with creative filters enabled.

https://domaini.ac?smashNames=true&disemVowel=true&l33tSpeak=true&mode=add_settings

"Surprise Me" Button

A link on a blog that generates creative, rhyming domains for "inspiration" without running a search.

https://domaini.ac?keywords=inspiration&rhymeWords=true&autoSearch=false&showFilters=true

Podcast Ad Link

A memorable URL for a podcast ad that pre-fills a search related to the episode's topic.

https://domaini.ac?q=My+new+AI+podcast&tlds=fm,live,show

Deeper Integration: The JavaScript Widget

While URL parameters are perfect for creating direct links, you can achieve a more seamless experience by embedding our search widget directly on your site. It's a lightweight, configurable search box that uses these same URL parameters to send users to Domainiac.

Learn how to install the JavaScript Search Widget →

Ready to Build?

That's all there is to it. Start building your URLs and supercharge your projects with the power of Domainiac's search. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team.

Happy building! 🛠️