In the digital era, the way we communicate and access information is largely shaped by the Internet. A central part of this digital landscape are domains, which serve as addresses for websites . But what is behind these domains and why are they so important? At the end of every domain is a top-level domain (TLD), which is often referred to as the “last segment” of the Internet address.
In this article, you’ll learn all about TLDs, their different types, and pricing. We’ll also explore their importance for the online presence of businesses and individuals.
Short definition of top-level domain (TLD)
A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of a web address, switzerland email list such as .com or .de. TLDs help categorize websites geographically or thematically and are an important factor in domain choice for branding and SEO.
What are top-level domains?
Top-level domains (TLDs) are the last part of an Internet domain address and represent the highest hierarchy level in the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS). They are the segment of a URL that follows directly after the second-level domain and thus the last dot. For example, in the domain “www.example.com” the TLD is “.com”.
TLDs are used to categorize and identify domains. They can provide information about the purpose or geographic location of a website.
What types of TLDs are there?
There are different categories of TLDs, verifying their authenticity and have them use each designed for different purposes and target groups:
- gTLD – Generic Top Level Domains
- sTLD – Sponsored Top-Level Domains
- ccTLD – Country Code Top-Level Domains
1. gTLD – Generic Top-Level Domains
gTLDs, short for “Generic Top-Level Domains,” are a central pillar of the Domain Name System (DNS) on the Internet. They represent one of the main categories of top-level domains (TLDs) in the DNS hierarchy system. While there are special TLDs, or sTLDs, anhui mobile phone number list reserved for certain organizations or communities, gTLDs are generic and open to registration by anyone.
Some of the most well-known TLD examples of gTLDs are .com, .org, .net, .info and .biz. But the spectrum of gTLDs has expanded to include geographic variants such as .nyc and .berlin, which refer specifically to certain cities or regions.
One of the strengths of gTLDs is their openness: they generally have no special restrictions or requirements for registration. This has led to them being offered by a wide range of registrar companies worldwide and being among the most widely used TLDs across the entire Internet.
When it comes to allocating domains under gTLDs, the system often works on a first-come, first-served basis.
The overall administration and oversight of gTLDs and the root zone file is the responsibility of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, better known as ICANN. This organization ensures that the system functions properly and provides central coordination for the allocation and management of domain names.
What role does ICANN play?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, known as ICANN, is a non-profit organization that has central responsibility for the administration and coordination of the Domain Name System (DNS) and IP address allocation on the global Internet. Its primary mission is to ensure the uniqueness, stability and secure functioning of domain names and IP addresses.
Top-level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .org and .net, as well as country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), are issued and administered under the supervision of ICANN. To ensure the integrity of these systems, ICANN has established policies for the registration and administration of domain names and monitors their global compliance.
In addition, ICANN acts as a mediator in domain disputes and plays a key role in protecting trademark rights in the digital space.