TLD

A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the last segment of a domain name located to the right of the dot (“.”). It is the highest level in the hierarchical domain name system of the internet. TLDs are an essential part of the domain name structure and help organize websites on the internet.

In the DNS hierarchy, a top-level domain (TLD) represents the first stop after the root zone. In simpler terms, a TLD is everything that follows the final dot of a domain name.

For example, in the domain name ‘powerhoster.com’, ‘.com’ is the TLD. Some other popular TLDs include ‘.org’, ‘.uk’, and ‘.edu’.

TLDs play an important role in the DNS lookup process. For all uncached requests, when a user enters a domain name like ‘powerhoster.com’ into their browser window, the DNS resolvers start the search by communicating with the TLD server. In this case, the TLD is ‘.com’, so the resolver will contact the TLD DNS server, which will then provide the resolver with the IP address of powerhoster’s origin server.

There are two main types of TLDs:

1. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs): These are the most common types of TLDs and include familiar extensions such as .com, .net, .org, .info, and many others. gTLDs are open for registration by individuals, businesses, and organizations around the world.
2. Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): These are specific to individual countries or territories. Each country or territory has its own unique two-letter code, such as .us for the United States, .uk for the United Kingdom, .ca for Canada, and so on. ccTLDs are typically managed by the respective country’s registry and may have specific eligibility requirements or restrictions.

In addition to these two main categories, there are also specialized or sponsored TLDs that serve particular communities or industries. Examples include .gov for government websites, .edu for educational institutions, and .museum for museums, .com is intended for commercial businesses.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the organization responsible for coordinating the domain name system, including the management of TLDs. ICANN works with various domain registries to ensure the stability and functionality of the internet’s domain name infrastructure. For example, a U.S. company called VeriSign operates all ‘.com’ and ‘.net’ TLDs.

How Many Different Types of TLDs Are There?

There are several types of Top-Level Domains (TLDs), each serving different purposes and categories of websites. The main types of TLDs include:

1. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs):
   • Unrestricted gTLDs: Open for registration by anyone without specific eligibility criteria.
     • .com – Commercial businesses
     • .net – Network-related services
     • .org – Non-profit organizations
     • .info – Informational websites
   • Restricted gTLDs: May have specific eligibility requirements or restrictions.
     • .gov – U.S. government agencies
     • .edu – Educational institutions
     • .mil – U.S. military
     • .int – International organizations
2. Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs):
   • Associated with specific countries or territories, each identified by a two-letter country code.
     • .us – United States
     • .uk – United Kingdom
     • .ca – Canada
     • .de – Germany
     • .jp – Japan
3. Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs):
   • Created for specific communities or industries, often with restrictions on registration.
     • .aero – Aerospace industry
     • .museum – Museums
     • .coop – Cooperatives
     • .edu – Educational institutions (also used as a gTLD)
     • .gov – U.S. government (also used as a gTLD)
4. Infrastructure Top-Level Domain (arpa):
   • Used exclusively for technical infrastructure purposes and is managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). This category only contains a single TLD: ‘.arpa’. Named for DARPA, the U.S. military research organization that helped pioneer the modern Internet, ‘.arpa’ was the first TLD ever created and is now reserved for infrastructural duties, such as facilitating reverse DNS lookups.
5. New gTLDs:
   • Introduced as part of ICANN’s new gTLD program to increase the availability of domain names and provide more options. Examples include:
     • .app
     • .blog
     • .guru
     • .tech
     • .design
6. Reserved TLDs:
   • Certain TLDs are reserved for specific purposes or have not been delegated for public registration.

It’s important to note that the landscape of TLDs has evolved over time, and new gTLDs continue to be introduced.

What is the Purpose of TLD ?

The purpose of Top-Level Domains (TLDs) is to provide a structured and hierarchical system for organizing and navigating the internet. TLDs play several important roles:

1. Organization of the Internet: TLDs help organize the vast expanse of the internet by categorizing websites into different groups based on their purposes, affiliations, or geographic locations. This hierarchical structure makes it easier for users to navigate and locate specific websites.
2. Identification of Website Purpose or Type:
   • Generic TLDs (gTLDs): These TLDs, such as .com, .org, and .net, are often associated with specific types of entities or purposes. For example, .com is commonly used for commercial entities, .org for non-profit organizations, and .net for network-related services.
   • Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): These TLDs are associated with specific countries or territories, helping users identify the geographical origin of a website. For instance, .us is associated with the United States, .uk with the United Kingdom, and .ca with Canada.
3. Global and Local Differentiation: TLDs contribute to the distinction between global and local websites. Global TLDs, like .com, are accessible and commonly used worldwide, while ccTLDs are often associated with specific countries or regions, indicating a more localized focus.
4. Brand and Identity: TLDs are an integral part of a website’s domain name, contributing to its brand and identity. Companies and organizations carefully choose domain names and TLDs that align with their brand and messaging.
5. Technical Functionality: TLDs play a technical role in the Domain Name System (DNS) by indicating the highest level in the domain hierarchy. They help DNS servers locate and resolve domain names to their corresponding IP addresses, facilitating the routing of internet traffic.
6. Policy and Administration: TLDs are managed by registry operators, and policies regarding their registration, renewal, and use are established by these operators. Organizations like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversee the overall administration of TLDs and establish guidelines for their management.
7. Security and Trust: The TLD is a visible component of a website’s URL, and users often associate certain TLDs with trust and legitimacy. Recognizable TLDs contribute to the perceived credibility of a website, and users may be more inclined to trust websites with well-known and reputable TLDs.

In summary, TLDs serve organizational, navigational, and technical functions on the internet.

A list of More Than 300 Domain Name Extensions and Their Definitions.

Domain name extensions always consist of the top-level domain, and sometimes a second-level domain.

The top-level domains in this list are recognized by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which operates the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and is in charge of maintaining the DNS root zone.

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD)

The following table represents the generic top-level domains (i.e. including .com, .org, etc).

Generic-Restricted Top-Level Domains

Generic-restricted top-level domain names are similar to the generic top-level domains, only eligibility is intended to be restricted and ascertained more stringently.

Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLD)

These domains are proposed and sponsored by private agencies or organizations that establish and enforce rules restricting the eligibility to use the TLD. IANA also groups sTLDs with the generic top-level domains.

Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD)

Country code top-level domain names are those that are generally used for a specific country or dependent territory. All ccTLD identifiers are two letters long, and all two-letter top-level domains are ccTLDs.

Some countries use a second-level domain to represent the entity type (for example, .com.cn for Chinese companies, or .org.cn for Chinese organizations).

Reserved Top-Level Domains

The following top-level domains are reserved by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

Registering Domain Names

Domain name extensions always consist of the top-level domain, and sometimes a second-level domain.

The top-level domains in this list are recognized by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which operates the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and is in charge of maintaining the DNS root zone.

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD)

The following table represents the generic top-level domains (i.e. including .com, .org, etc).

Generic-Restricted Top-Level Domains

Generic-restricted top-level domain names are similar to the generic top-level domains, only eligibility is intended to be restricted and ascertained more stringently.

Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLD)

These domains are proposed and sponsored by private agencies or organizations that establish and enforce rules restricting the eligibility to use the TLD. IANA also groups sTLDs with the generic top-level domains.

Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD)

Country code top-level domain names are those that are generally used for a specific country or dependent territory. All ccTLD identifiers are two letters long, and all two-letter top-level domains are ccTLDs.

Some countries use a second-level domain to represent the entity type (for example, .com.cn for Chinese companies, or .org.cn for Chinese organizations).

Reserved Top-Level Domains

The following top-level domains are reserved by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

Registering Domain Names

You can register top-level domain names via Power Hoster.

Related Entries

• TLD Nameserver
• DNS Resolver
• Domain
• Root Nameserver