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A top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of text in a domain name, such as .com or .net.
Top-level domains are also called domain extensions, domain suffixes, and URL extensions.
TLDs seem like a minor issue. But they’re a major part of any online business’s marketing strategy.
Every website address has a TLD.
TLDs help identify, organize, and classify websites based on their content, purpose, or location.
For example, a .com TLD is typically used for commercial websites. While a .edu TLD is used for schools and educational institutions.
And a .de domain extension is used for German websites and online resources.
Your TLD can provide users and search engines with an idea of the services your website provides, your location, and your work sector.
Types of Top-Level Domains
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) operates the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which regulates the use and allocation of domain names.
The IANA groups top-level domains into six main types:
Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD)
Generic top-level domains have three or more characters. And anyone can register them.
They are the most common TLDs. They’re what users expect to see when they browse the web.
Here are some of the most popular gTLDs:
.com
.net
.org
Despite their label, generic TLDs can still provide users with information about a website.
For example, .net often represents networking websites, while .org represents organizations.
Some companies have started to make their gTLDs even more specific. As of 2011, established companies and organizations are allowed to apply for and register their own gTLDs.
As a result, you can now visit sites with TLDs like the following:
.amazon
.apple
In 2014, geographic top-level domains (geoTLD) were introduced as a way to associate a website with a geographical, geopolitical, ethnic, linguistic, or cultural community.
While geoTLDs are related to regions and communities, they are considered gTLDs because their registration is not restricted.
Examples of geoTLDs include the following:
.berlin
.amsterdam
.paris
Generic-Restricted Top-Level Domains (grTLD)
Generic-restricted top-level domains (grTLDs) are similar to gTLDs. But their eligibility is restricted for special uses.
IANA requires proof of eligibility to register one.
The following domain extensions are grTLDs:
.biz
.name
.pro
The .biz grTLD, for example, is designated for bona fide business and commercial use. Your average blog or affiliate site may not be eligible.
Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLD)
Sponsored top-level domains are a specialized TLD sponsored by private agencies and organizations.
These top-level domains are reserved for groups and organizations that share common themes and criteria. (Like businesses or government agencies.)
The sponsoring agencies have the final say on eligibility requirements.
Examples of sTLDs include:
.gov
.museum
.edu
.mil (U.S. military)
Like generic top-level domains, sponsored top-level domains provide information about websites and their related industries.
For example, .edu is reserved for accredited educational institutions in the United States. And .gov represents U.S. government websites.
Websites with sTLDs help users find official information quickly and are generally considered trustworthy.
To get an sTLD for your website, you must apply for one with an ICANN-accredited registrar and ensure you meet the specific criteria.
There are currently only 14 sponsored top-level domains in the IANA database.
Country-Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD)
Country-code top-level domains are two-letter extensions reserved for countries, sovereign states, and territories.
ccTLDs are available to websites and organizations from the corresponding country or territory. Or to corporations that have a presence in the region.
Websites can use ccTLDs to demonstrate to customers which country they’re based in and serve. ccTLDs also help Google geotarget your site for more accurate search results.
However, country-code top-level domains only target countries and territories, not languages. International SEO and multilingual websites require more than just a ccTLD.
The following is a list of common ccTLDs:
.ca (Canada)
.br (Brazil)
.de (Germany)
.fr (France)
.ie (Ireland)
.in (India)
.uk (United Kingdom)
.us (United States)
.io (British Indian Ocean Territory)
In recent years, websites have also leveraged ccTLDs for branding purposes.
For example, .io is a ccTLD often used in the tech industry, while .ly (Libya) and .es (Spain) are commonly used to optimize complete domain names, as in Apple’s itun.es.
In fact, Google has taken note of this practice and has started treating some ccTLDs as gTLDs.
As of January 2023, the IANA database listed 316 country-code top-level domains.
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