What is TLD, Top-Level Domain?
TLD is the acronym for “Top Level Domain” and is placed in the dns root zone of an IP address (after the first dot) and may sometimes be described as the domain suffix or domain extension in the domain’s name space.
Top-Level Domain is often mislabeled “top domain level”
Popular examples of Top Level Domains (TLDs) or top domain level are .com TLD, .edu TLD, and .net TLD, and as different Top-Level Domain extensions were created to help determine the type of organization, association or activity it applied to RFC 1591, the TLD nomenclature was designed to match and serve the domain names’ particular purpose or function.
Most of this does not hold true anymore and lines between uses of a Top-Level Domain has become muddied. For instance, the .org TLD was originally established to represent an organization as non-profit. The .com TLD was originally reserved for American commercial business use, but it too has not been enforced and is open to registrants to all countries, organizations and individuals.
Even .gov TLD reserved for the U.S Government has become bastardized in a way, as it is often used toward political ends, propaganda, and not, pure governmental information. But that’s for a different (another) day.
- See the comprehensive List of Internet Top-Level Domains below, or visit http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/ for the current TLD list, or, to list TLD availability.
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Now, all Top-Level Domain names or top domain level names (last time I’ll Use it) are unique and must have the required TLD extension.
Each human friendly Internet Domain Name is a particular sequence of alpha-numeric’s that provides a unique word, phrase, number, acronym, or alpha-numeric phrase. Never to be duplicated. For instance, ( http://DineHalfOff.com ) are three words uniquely tied together with a .com TLD.
A three letter acronym TLD would be IBM.com (International Business Machines.) Using this format, people can find the respective information (perhaps intuitively) on the Internet, and others can name their domain as unique as they like (first come, first served (except for trademark issues, see below)).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is TCP/IP?
What is HTTP?
What is WWW?
First ICAAN TLDs
What are gTLD and ccTLD?
Generic Top Level domains (gTLD) discussed
Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) discussed
Complete List of Current gTLD
Complete List of Current ccTLD
What is the Second Level Domain (SLD) Name?
Difference between a Domain Registry and a Domain TLD Registrar.
TLD Whois Database
TLD Sunrise Period and Landrush
Why choose the .com tld?
What are some new TLDs?
**What is a Branded TLD?
TLD Review
How does DNS work with TLD (Top Level Domain Names) and IP?
The “Domain Name System” (DNS) maps Top-Level Domain Names to web servers where the web content resides and utilizes zone files that convert the Top-Level domain names to IP addresses. Basically it routes traffic throughout the Internet and in a nutshell, maps Internet locations much like an address for your home within the town/city, state, region or country you reside.
Think of it like a phone book containing all Top-Level domain names currently registered. This system contains the database and Whois information of all domains registered including the IP network address where the Internet domain name resides.
Every registered domain name must be input into the DNS system for it to work and resolve properly.
As of this writing, more than 115 million gTLDs are registered and the .com TLD outranks other gTLDs by a minimum of 8:1 (in relation to the #2, .net) and easily past 83:1 (in relation to .us). Calculate this out and there are “Billions and Billions” of web pages hosted just for those domains.
It is overwhelming to think of the amount of web traffic that’s currently routed through the Internet on a global basis. Initially, thirteen primary Domain Name Servers (DNS) were installed around the world. Their task is to resolve Top Level domain names to respective servers and networks.
When your computer’s web browser seeks a domain name URL, the request is processed to the primary nameserver and resolves it by the IP address where the web page is located.
The domain name is basically a textual simplification of a numeric IP address. The IP address number represented by text points your web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, etc) to a particular Web Page.
Basically, this makes the user’s web browser navigation (Address Bar) human friendly, Top-Level domain names as search engine friendly, and functionally, the Internet becomes a much simpler application.
The foundation of the Domain Name System (DNS) comprises all web servers tied to the Internet that must have an Internet Protocol (IP) address (e.g., 123.4.5.67, 765.4.3.21, etc.). For most humans, these numbers happen to be a bunch of gobbledygook. So, instead of having to type the numeric IP address “123.4.5.67” into the address bar of your browser for domains (difficult to remember), the human friendly domain name will allow folks to go to Web page URLs using an easily remembered domain name.
What is HTTP? What is TCP/IP? and, What is WWW?
When you see the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) at the beginning of the URL, this initiates and implements a set of rules for transferring such things as (text files, sound files, graphic image files, multimedia files and video files, etc.) over the Internet. It is not part of the domain name or the TLD zone suffix.
From the moment an internet user opens an Internet web browser, HTTP is operational. Moreover, HTTP is the process operating over TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocols. As discussed above, the TCP/IP protocols and addrsses are the basis of the Internet’s functional operation.
For the WWW in “http://www”, it represents World Wide Web and comprises all resources, assets and users within the Internet that utilize the HTTP, Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
A succinct way of describing what “www” represents, comes from one of the founders of the World Wide Web Consortium W3C organization, Mr. Tim Berners-Lee:
“The World Wide Web is the universe of network-accessible information, an embodiment of human knowledge.”
Personally, I have not used the www. in any of my linking structures, for several years. You should visit my discussion on the URL Link Saturation issue for backlinks and hyperlinks to get an idea of why this is.
In a nutshell, the (http:// and, www.) preceeding the
Second-Level Domain Name seen in the Address Bar after the web page loads in your Web browser, is not part of the Domain name. This protocol is functional code before the Internet address, and is called Universal Resource Locator (URL).
So we have learned that the root DNS server system uses the required IP addresses for the operation of the Internet. The final result for us is simplified Internet services we use every day, such as browsing the World Wide Web (http, www.), electronic mail (email) and File Transfer Protocol (ftp) to a hosting site. The capabilities are thus based on the IP addresses we see as human friendly Top-Level domain names.
Additionally, the Internet Protocol (IP) is a communication system that allows computers networked together (such as your home or work network) to talk and exchange information amongst themselves. The individual IP addresses are essential for computers to find one another on an open or closed network. An IP address has to be read for computer to computer communication.
What are TLDs and Top-Level Domains?
The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers ICANN tld
The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the assigned global governing body for the Internet (aka, World Wide Web) and dns root zone.
First, all Top-Level Domains (TLDs) are under the jurisdiction of ICANN TLD (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) who also operate IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority). ICANN implements policies regarding the domain name and addressing system, and provides oversight for all operational and technical functions of the Internet.
In 1985, the current domain name system became operational. The first registered domain name (and still current) was in March of 1985 http://symbolics.com. The system was a bit different then, and .com was under the auspices of the US Department of Defense (DOD). January of 1985 saw the creation of seven Top-Level Domains (TLDs) (e.g., .arpa, .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .net and .org.
It wasn’t until late 1998 that ICANN (a non-profit organization located in Marina Del Rey, California) came into existence and began responsibility and oversight of the Internet.
Early in ICAAN’s tenure it made the decision to introduce and accredit registries for new top-level domains. An ICANN TLD with ICANN, and availability of an ICANN TLD became the first introduction of new TLDs since the internet’s inception. This was a quantum leap in the evolution of the Internet’s domain name system.
What were the First New ICAAN TLDs from ICANN?
The new domain name TLDs that became available were: .aero TLD, .biz TLD, .coop TLD, .info TLD, .name TLD, .museum TLD, and .pro TLD. On May 7, 2001 delegated Registrars met with the International Trademark Association at the Member’s annual meeting. Discussions regarding the regulation of terms for new domains commenced.
Agreements were made and Trademark holders were given a Sunrise Period and the opportunity to select second level domain names with their mark for each new TLD released.
Each individual TLD, (gTLD and ccTLD) is currently managed by an ICANN TLD delegated Authoritative Registry. The TLD Registry is an entity where the domain name, TLD Whois data, and nameserver location is registered and identified.
Note: The ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain) generally falls under National or Governmental Authorities, but again, they are still under the jurisdiction of ICAAN.
What are gTLD and ccTLD?
Every domain name in the world ends with a TLD extension that contains two or more letters after the dot. IANA has separated the two groups of TLDs that are used today,
1.) Generic Top Level domains (gTLD) are either Sponsored or Unsponsored. Most of the TLDs may be familiar, but some may not. gTLDs examples are .aero, .biz, .cat, .com, .coop, .info TLD, .jobs, .mobi, .museum, .name, .net, .org, .pro, and .travel.
- The unsponsored generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) is assigned to ICANN Accredited Domain Registry Operators and then assigned to a Domain Name TLD Registrar for public consumption. These would be .com TLD, .biz TLD, .info TLD, etc.
- A sponsored (sTLD, these are gTLD) is strictly reserved, proposed by and limited to use by an agency, organization or Institution such as .gov (Government), .mil (Military), .edu (Educational).
- NOTE: GoDaddy.com is currently the world’s No. 1 ICANN TLD-accredited domain name TLD registrar for TLDs such as .COM TLD, .NET TLD, .ORG TLD, .INFO TLD, .BIZ TLD and .US TLD domain extensions. Source: RegistrarSTATS.com.
- Go here for a comprehensive list-TLD: List of gTLDs
2.) Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), Country TLD examples are the .it TLD, .ca TLD (Canada) .nz TLD (New Zealand), .ro TLD (Romania), .no TLD (Norway), .cn TLD (China) .uk TLD (United Kingdom, .au TLD (Australia).
- The ccTLD group is assigned to National Authorities under ICAAN and IANA juristiction.
- Here are sponsored and unsponsored Country TLD examples for:
- United Kingdom ccTLD – .co.uk TLD, .ac.uk TLD, .net.uk TLD, .gov.uk TLD, .org.uk TLD
- Mexico ccTLD .mx TLD, .com.mx TLD, .edu.mx TLD, .org.mx TLD, .net.mx TLD.
- Many countries will follow this same kind of protocol and structure. Several Government and National Authorities for Country TLD or ccTLD TLD domains like .de TLD (Duetchland/Gemany) and .ca TLD (Canada) have residency or local presence requirements for domain registrations.
- Go here for a comprehensive list-TLD: List of ccTLDs
Some very unique Top Level domain names have been created using a Country TLD or ccTLD TLD extensions. In Maryland, USA, the state abbreviation is MD and the acronym MD represents Medical Doctor. “EllicottCity.md” and “Baltimore.md”. Both of these domains are geared toward local medical topics and providers. You may want to look at some of the internationally available ccTLDs to see if you can do something creative.
Examples of domain name creativity with a Country TLD are “del.icio.us”, or “go.to” and the list goes on for .it TLD.
To be sure, always read domain registration agreements for any top level domain (TLD) considered for a domain registration.
What is a Country TLD, or Country Code Top-Level Domain – ccTLD?
Country Code Top Level Domain – ccTLD. The Country TLD or ccTLD is a top-level domain root zone that is assigned to National (Country) Authorities under ICAAN and IANA jurisdiction for each nation state or outlying territory, in accordance with ISO 3166-1 code. Operation and final use of each Country TLD or ccTLD falls under the individual jurisdiction of 246 countries with an official short name ( e.g., Short Name = .de for Germany).
However there are exceptions, for example NIC.com a Godaddy site, handles many different ccTLD zone registrations and they are open to public consumption with few restrictions or requirements.
Many interesting things appeared when I began conducting an in-depth research on the Country TLD or ccTLD Top-Level Domain, some time ago. There are many ISO straightforward root zones for Country Codes such as .mx for Mexico and .fr for France, etc.
However, .uk for the United Kingdom is the popular Country TLD for Great Britain, and the ISO code for that country is the .gb TLD. The .gb ccTLD has been removed from registration and is being phased out. I made an attempt to register a .gb TLD domain name and it would not allow it.
The ccTLD .bz for Belize is open to anybody to register, although, why would anyone want one, I don’t understand, there’s already a .biz TLD.
There are hundreds of TLDs in operation today and a majority of them are Country Code TLDs or ccTLD. Most ccTLDs are essentially untapped because of insufficient technical means and no realization of potential economic benefits seen on the part of respective governments that are designated those TLDs.
A glaring instance of this is the .tv TLD. It’s assigned to a Polynesian island nation called Tuvalu, a series of beautiful and tropical paradise islands.
Tuvalu has had more flags than you can shake a stick at in the last thirty-five years, it’s no wonder they would have little time or use for the .tv TLD. The islands of Tuvalu probably have little or no use for the Internet as well, but there’s been a lot of notice given by others for ccTLD TLDs such as these.
Since acronyms play a major role on the internet for Top Level domain names, much interest has been shown in Tuvalu’s .tv. As you are aware, .tv is a glaring example of an ingrained and very familiar acronym – Television.
The ccTLD .tv TLD name space for Tuvalu was ultimately relinquished – sold to Internet marketers for sale internationally with no restrictions. Tuvali’s ccTLD .tv is currently represented by Verisign (Registry) for representation as a television .tv TLD on the Internet. A potential text, video and media website development bonanza could pursue with .tv, but an entrenched .com still prevails.
For this same reason, .museum has been slow to command name space, many museums have opted to only pay the annual $100 registration fee and just install redirects to their popular and entrenched .com TLD.
The most interesting ccTLD is .su which is a Soviet Union ISO code that represents a failed and defunct USSR, “Union of Socialized Soviet Republics,” and it is still available! Why? What has ICANN and the International Community got in mind?
A ccTLD represents geographical locations (discussed above) such as: .af Afganistan, .bm Bermuda, .jp Japan, ng Nigeria, .pr Puerto Rico, .ru Russia, .us United States, etc. Clearly, if your web site is going to target and cater to a particular geographic area, you may want to choose the respective ccTLD to appeal to that consumer. Or, use a ccTLD when other gTLD options are not available.
What about the .it TLD?
Use of the .it TLD from Italia (Italy) is an enormous boon for Enlish speaking Countries. However the .it TLD is restricted to companies and individuals in the European Union. So the .it TLD has been essentially cut off from the largest market. I’m sure there are some workarounds to get an .it TLD, but you could risk the loss of the .it TLD domain after doing an immense amount of work.
Just think, http://go.get.it, yea, a great brandable .it TLD for product sales. Folks in Southern Italy are known for their competent Internet capabilities, someone has probably grabbed it. I can think of dozens of other .it TLD uses in a “bat of an eye!” Here are some and many I’m sure are registerd but anyway, use.it, band.it, br.it, condu.it, depos.it, gigab.it, leg.it, orb.it, or megab.it. Yes the .it TLD holds many uses.
Is TLD .in Available to the General Public?
Yes, the TLD .in is in wide use and readily available worldwide. What is unusual about the .in TLD, is that it is used less frequently by those in India. Residents and businesses in India alike seem to prefer gTLDs like .com for their work. I’m not going to provide a list of unique names that may or may not be available for TLD .in. But, suffice it to say, it is not unlike the .it TLD.
There is a list of TLD .in Root Zones that are not available for public use, such as .edu.in TLD, .gov.in TLD, .mil.in TLD, as these are reserved.
.ca TLD Registrar
In November of 2000 the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) for .ca TLD began using an ICANN TLD model for registrations. Processing of a .ca TLD registration is handled by Certified TLD Registrars that address customer issues and registrations, TLD Whois and server/hosting IP changes, and updates to CIRA Registration Database.
A .ca list of Certified Registrars is at (http://cira.ca). Choose your language preferences first, at this site, and then choose the option for Certified TLD Registrar List.
This same process applies for either Canadian National registrations .ca TLD, or Canada’s Provincial registrations xx.ca TLD. Canadian and Provincial Top-Level domain names all incur annual registration fees.
- Go here for a comprehensive list-TLD: List of ccTLDs
What is the Second Level Domain (SLD) Name?
The area within a domain name found directly on the left of the TLD root (left of the dot), denotes the Second Level Domain Name (e.g., ShopHalfOff, within the Domain Name – http://ShopHalfOff.com).
Companies, Organizations, and the general public will register numerous domains with the same Second-Level domain name, in conjunction with other popular and useful Top Level Domain extensions (e.g., google.com, google.net, google.cn, google.de). These individually unique domain name TLDs can offer distinct content and material to diverse sets of users (e.g., Information, How-To content, or FAQs on an ( xyz.info ) site, Chinese Language content on the ( xyx.cn ) site, etc.).
The maximum length of the second level domain name is 63 alpha-numeric characters. The count of 63 alpha-numeric characters does not include the root zone (e.g., .com, .me) extension. You can only choose from alpha-numerics such as letters, numbers and the hyphen (-) or (dash, minus sign). The http:// and www in the URL represents the World Wide Web, and is not a part of the domain name or this count. Special characters like $, #, ),> ,{ ,+ ,! ,$, &, %, ?, =, etc. are prohibited.
Difference between a Domain Registry and a Domain TLD Registrar
1.) Domain Name Registry – two distinct things by the same name. One is the database of all the domain name registrations and information for the respective TLD, and the second is the Network Information Center (NIC) organization that is responsible for the management of that TLD.
- The NIC responsibilities include management of the TLD domain name database comprising of the registered Top Level domain names in the DNS which converts the IP address to the human friendly domain name, and so vice versa. An example of a Domain Name Registry is Verisign for .com. This differs from the following “Domain Name TLD Registrar.”
2.) Domain Name Registrar – A Domain Name TLD Registrar (e.g., DynaDot.com, Fabulous.com, etc.) resides under the auspices of the specific TLD Domain Name Registry (e.g., Registry for the .com – Verisign).
- The Domain Name TLD Registrar (e.g., GoDaddy.com) must follow the rules and guidelines of the TLD Domain Registry, and must also have authorization and accreditation by ICANN. The TLD Registrar’s main function is to operate as the customer interface for selling, supporting and maintaining the details of domain registrations for each available and respective TLD Domain Name.
- The domain name Registrar ultimately holds responsibility for maintaining the domain name ownership information and registers the IP address that the DNS system uses to find the domain name.
In review, the gTLD and ccTLD TLDs domain sales and data management is performed by each and every Accredited TLD Registrar, such as Godaddy, who assist in maintaining the registry databases which contains registrations, nameserver and owner or operator contact information, etc. This is the case for all Top Level domain names registered for every TLD represented.
Domain Name Registrars may not be able to offer all available Top-Level Domain Name TLDs marketed, as they must have ICANN TLD accreditation to represent each and every respective TLD.
Now, we have concluded that Domain names and thier respective TLD are Internet addresses. Ownership of any particular domain name has been likened to having a vanity license plate, but actually it is serious business, whereas Verisign historically required a Notary for moving a domain from one TLD registrar to another. Exclusive legal rights are in effect for domain ownership, so long as registration fees are maintained and laws are adhered to.
Many consider Internet Domains as Real Estate Investments (e.g., Domainers), and they may never plan to develop the domain. Domainers continue to pay annual registration fees for unique Top Level domain names with plans for selling at a profit in some future time. Again as above, registering trademarked names fall under other legal issues as a domain name with a respective TLD.
List of Internet Top-Level Domains
TLD Whois
The TLD WhoIS record is a publically accessible list of domain name ownership details and contact information. Any changes to a domain name’s DNS or TLD WhoIs data does not happen instantaneously, as time is required for changes to propagate throughout the Internet. Generally speaking, it can take from 24 hours to more than a week to propagate new registration information.
As most of you may know, there is an annual TLD Whois checkup performed by ICANN through TLD Registrars to make sure that information and your contact data is current and accurate. Failure to comply with this will risk ownership loss for your ICANN TLD domain(s). It doesn’t require much on your part to keep this data updated and to secure ownership of Top-Level domain names.
What is the TLD Sunrise Period and Landrush?
Trademark issues abound on the Internet. Many legal issues arose during the initial rush in the domain market as each new TLD root zone was released. However, rules and regulations are currently in place to alleviate some legal issues to protect Domainers, Corporations and trademark holders alike.
In order to protect Corporations, and those who hold trademarks and/or service marks from what they considered cybersquatting (not a nice term, nor is it always accurate, and reason needs to prevail in this complicated legal issue) a Sunrise Period was created. Since many domain registrations unknowingly infringed upon intellectual property rights and trademarks during this initial rush some sense of reason needed to prevail here as well.
In order to help alleviate legal proceedings and protect those above, agreements were made to implement a Sunrise Period of 30 to 60 days or more. This Sunrise Period was to allow trademark owners and holders time to claim a domain name and new TLD that contained their mark. Many corporations still do not avail themselves of this opportunity. I watched the extended .mobi Sunrise and Landrush (Open Registration Period to all) periods with great amusement.
Interestingly, Neulevel, the registry for .biz back in 2001, altered the “sunrise period” for .biz TLD. NeuLevel invoked a system whereby companies had to submit intellectual property claims of their trademark with a domain registration application. The original Sunrise period was extended, and extended, and if prospective mark holders failed to prove their case, a lottery was implemented for the respective domain name in the .biz TLD.
Established rules are now in place for future Sunrise Periods of new TLDs. These rules allow for pending trademark applications and approvals that fell within certain periods of time to help secure mark holders rights to Top Level Domain Names for any new TLD.
Why Choose .com?
Plain and simple, a .com TLD is preferred. Unfortunately, all preferred .com TLDs and most interesting .com Top Level Domain Names have been registered, but not all. For whatever reasons, many .com domains are not reregistered, expire and become available every day. If you land on a home page for a domain you are interested in, and it contains nothing but advertising links or it generally just looks slick, but undeveloped, with perhaps little to no content, do a TLD whois lookup and make an offer to the registrant.
If you practice at this, you can immediately tell if a certain TLD Domain Name is available.
Your TLD is a vital component of your domain name and is among the most important aspects for improving traffic to your website. As you have read above, TLD is the root zone or domain name suffix after the “dot.” Just as in a computer file extension, a TLD will reveal the type and purpose for a domain.
As an example, if a domain will serve as a portfolio for your business, or act as an ecommerce site/store, then your TLD, in general, should be a .com or .biz. If your web site targets donations for your organization’s local cause, then you are better off selecting a .org Top-Level Domain TLD.
Various TLD extensions or suffixes are useful when it becomes necessary to find an alternative TLD for the same domain name you initially desired. Often, Top Level domain names you’ve found appropriate for your website are already taken, developed, or just not available for registration.
So what’s next?
Altering the first part of the domain name you researched, might not be a good idea, however, you may consider putting dashes (hyphens) between words and testing that. I’ve seen a good bit of success with it. Some examples are (unhyphenated and brandable http://JamTube.com ) and (hyphenated and marketable http://Websites-For-Lease.com ).
If you have spent any time thinking about an awesome second-level domain name that is both user and search engine friendly, then what’s left but to consider the other alternative domain (TLD) extensions.
A survey conducted not long ago revealed that 80% of World Wide Web users gave greater notice to (gTLD) websites that end in .com, .net and .org. This survey also demonstrates that folks believed an internet address ending in .com, .net or .org was more professional and trustworthy, no other gTLDs came close.
- Go here for a comprehensive list-TLD: List of gTLDs generic Top-Level Domains.
- Go here for a comprehensive list-TLD: List of ccTLDs country code Top Level Domains.
What is .mobi?
Another TLD with much ballyhoo! All over the internet there are complaints about necessity for a .mobi TLD. Some I agree with, most I don’t. Since this TLD has guidelines for developing .mobi domains within certain structured parameters, consumers and users are assured they will not be hit with a ton of download data.
The bandwith is tighter for mobile phones and it has a subsequent cost per kilobyte. Massive data downloads, in volume, can get expensive.
Plus, it’s much easier to browse on a small screen that .mobi domains are structured for. This doesn’t mean that .coms can’t provide this same format, but in truth, how does the customer know if a domain has the capability? I believe that each Top Level Domain can live and thrive together and apart.
If you target Mobile Internet users, then a .mobi TLD is a great answer. Examples of Mobile Sites are Domains like “http://Ringtones4Free.mobi” and “http://LGRingtones.mobi”. Put in some effort when choosing your .mobi domain name. The registration prices have come down substantially, and this market continues to grow.
What are some new TLDs?
Branded TLD
First in line is a Branded TLD, see below for a discussion of ramifications for this interesting TLD.
.nyc TLD
In one case, during 2008, a Civic Project in New York City began preparing for the new .nyc TLD. Curriculum Planning was set in motion under a Civics Project that will enable new civic processes to launch upon a release of .nyc TLD.
Most of this work is probably still being refined and at this point waiting for .nyc to come to fruition. Additionally, hardware and software has been identified to assist in the implementation and availability of civic spaces that will assist in civic communication on .nyc TLD.
I can only imagine popular local businesses that missed out on registering .com TLD Top-Level Domain Names. This .nyc TLD will be a blessing in disguise. Hopefully TLDs like .nyc are limited to indigenous populations and businesses first, while still respecting trademarks. This can be a boon for large businesses like Ford as well (http://ford.nyc) where consumers can find listings of local authorized dealers, etc., in a snap.
If you have friends in New York City, who may or may not be computer literate, the .nyc domain name can always be registered and the domain development can lay in wait. Please prepare them.
Positive economic consequences of a localized TLD like .nyc is overwhelming. Entrepreneurs from Large and Small businesses alike will benefit from this .nyc TLD. And of course, local communities will be revenue beneficiaries as well. Considering it is nationally known about punitive tax structures in New York City, its Mayor and Council alike should be hot for immediate implementation of this.
Just think of the tax revenue they could gain before the rest of the businesses, and money makers, leave the city.
I don’t know where I read this, but a .nyc TLD could result in a branding “Made in New York City”. This is an incisive thought and it applies to all cities who get a localised tld.
.green TLD
I digress.
DotGreen has recently pushed to provide a .green TLD to the market. They are currently looking to have a .green in place as early as 2010 and as late as?. How realistic this is considering a powerful New York City and its dangling .nyc TLD. It will be interesting.
Over the past several years, there’s been a lot of “green” related Second Level domains registered within many TLDs, not developed, and then expire without a new annual registration.
I guess this is a subject area I don’t understand so well. I have lived my life with concern about the environment and do things that are earth-friendly, every moment of every day. It is second nature to me. That, this kind of awareness is not second nature to everyone by now, just simply astounds me.
But, DotGreen seems to be moving forward, as .eco (another potential green tld) seems to be losing some ground. No matter how you cut it, the .com is the smartest direction and decision. I almost wet my pants when I was reading comments on a forum regarding these two new tlds, the the post discussed the battle between .dumb and .dumber.
If it is true that all profits from the registrations for the .green TLD go to causes DotGreen speaks of, I’m all for it! With some stipulation, salaries are minimal and capped, all salaries, expenses, and, all organizations to receive funds or aid [how much and/or what kind] are listed, all monies from profits earmarked for any and all causes are listed and posted for the world to see. Afterall, it is the “feel good” that counts.
Otherwise, I have always been leary of unknown organizations, when all too often we see our hard earned money donated and never reach the intended place. Too often it ends up in either a “Volunteer’s”, “Administrator’s” or “Dictators” pocket.
By no means am I suggesting or saying that this is the case here for DotGreen, but accountability within some of the largest non-profits has been seriously lacking, to be sure. Annalisa may in fact be the real thing, I pray she is. I suggest you visit her well designed and attractive web site, and make your determination.
The onus is upon all of us to be charitable, it is not, and should not be a function of government. Bean And yes the .green TLD would be viable with five letters! So, if you are interested in DotGreen or .green TLD Top-Level Domain Names, show them by joining their effort –NOW!
What is a Branded TLD?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has decided to open up a Branded TLD (root zone) market for company or individual ownership. You will able to acquire your own Branded Top Level Domain Name extension or Root Zone and have a website appear as (http://sales.xyzcompany) or (http://blog.anybody).
Having purchased and registered your personal or business Branded TLD, you can sell, develop and/or launch it in many different ways. First, you will have technical, database and hosting duties and responsibilities normally handled by the Domain Registrars for Branded TLDs. This may not be for the fair at heart.
Some ideas for your personal or company Branded TLD are to just keep all Second Level Domains under your company’s internal control for internal consumption (e.g. http://Products.xyzcompany). Or, you could sell or offer for free, the Second Level Domains on the open market (e.g. lincroftnj.littleleague). Brandable Domains are current mainstays in the Domain Name Market, and these Branded TLDs can be used as further branding tools.
Or, basically use it to create monster domains like the current (http://yourblog.WordPress.com) or (http://yourblog.BlogSpot.com) and give Second Level Domains out for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
With Branded TLDs, determine how your URL appears in the web browser’s address bar. The Second Level Domain Names’ Name Space can be set up for multitudes of Internet Websites and Web Pages underneath the Branded Company’s name. An example would be the conglomerate Johnson & Johnson (http://info.jnj). Without needing to have a lone corporate website at jnj.com, they can create as many Second Level Domains as they desire.
All of J&J’s divisions will be domains under the Branded TLD. Some examples could be (http://DePuy.jnj) and (DePuySpine.jnj), or (Cordis.jnj), or (Desitin.jnj), the list goes on and on and on. Johnson & Johnson could really have innumerable Second Level Domains and then innumerable Sub-Domains below that for customers, retailers, representatives, brokers, sales staff, etc.
Although a Branded TLD may seem a bit redundant to the existing structure, it would just be cool to launch your own Branded TLD. I can forsee quite a few of these working well, but for the most part only large corporations (who would probably benefit from this) and of course those creative person(s) with strokes of genius, could benefit (I look forward to it).
I believe most corporations will be hesitant to opt-in for initial full fledged development of these Branded TLDs, while it’s currently more powerful to have a .com. On the other hand, well known corporations can benefit if their names are recognized, memorable, easily spelled. Of course it all relies on web surfers to input the brand into a TLD zone (http://home.ibm) for organic traffic. Remains to be seen!
TLD Review
Every domain name has to end with a top-level domain (TLD) suffix and it is either 2, 3 or more letters after the “dot” such as .mx, .org or .museum. The two main TLDs are:
- generic Top-Level Domain or gTLD, like .com, .net, and .org
- country code Top Level Domain or ccTLDs like .ca, .cc, .cn, .de, .fr, .nl, and .uk
ICANN has announced timelines for introducing new ICANN TLDs.
gTLD is an acronym for generic Top Level Domain. The gTLD is placed in a root zone of the name space (after the dot) and is part of a Domain Name System (DNS). In other words, gTLD refers to extensions or suffixes that appear at the end of a Domain Name (such as .com) and is used to accurately route traffic throughout the World Wide Web.
Many different Top Level Domains are available that help you identify the specific type of business, organization, or activity it represents. Several gTLDs are available for public consumption with no use restriction, while others have use restrictions and limitations such as .coop for Cooperative Organizations.
Second Level Domain Names and Top Level Domain Names are text versions of an IP address, and this is done to facilitate human friendly domain names. As each domain’s IP address is a series of dots and numbers, it would be quite difficult to remember all those combinations.
As an example, 68.178.254.24 is the IP address for http://DomainBean.com. If we didn’t have domain names, every Web Page’s IP address would be required for input into your browser’s address bar. Or, in search results the IP address would not be intuitive for what site you may want to select. The domain name system is clearly much easier.
Relatively new TLD’s like .tel, .jobs, .tv, .us, .me, .name have recently been introduced. Although it is better to choose a TLD root zone that matches your website’s goal or purpose, it may not be available, so alter the Second Level Domain Name, or choose another TLD that will serve the purpose.
You should always read the domain registration agreement prior to registering any (TLD) Top Level Domain extension to understand rules and requirements.
The name space of a domain name immediately to the left of the TLD Root Zone (left of the dot) is the Second Level Domain Name. In other words, the (TargetedTrafficExpert) in ( http://TargetedTrafficExpert.com ) is the Second Level Domain Name.
Businesses and individuals routinely register multiple Top Level domain names using their Second Level Domain Name with different TLD Root Zones, to help protect their web presence. A .com TLD is still the most important, but not the end-all.
Use of various TLDs with your selected Second-Level Domain Name can provide an opportunity for different kinds of content to be targeted to different content consumers. Mobile Content Products for your .mobi TLD website, and product sales on your .biz TLD Website.
List-TLD, retrieved from:
http://www.norid.no/domenenavnbaser/domreg.html
Domain name registries from around the world
The list-TLD below contains the English country name and name of the generic top level domains according to IANA’s list, complements of http://norid.no . The links will take you to the registry of the TLD. NOTE: Norid only administers the .no top level domain.
Please notify us with any corrections or supplements for the following list-TLD.
TLD Top-Domain Level LIST With Accredited Registries
Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD)
.aero Aviation
.asia Asia
.cat Catalan language and culture
.com Commercial
.coop Co-Operative Organizations
.edu Education
.gov US Government
.info Open TLD
.int International Organizations
.jobs Jobs
.mobi Mobile devices
.museum Museums
.name Personal
.net Networks
.org Organizations
.pro Credentialed professionals and related entities
.tel Publishing of contact data
.travel Travelling
Country code top level domains (ccTLD)
ccTLD sorted by country code
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