Domain Name Extensions
Also known as Top-Level Domains (TLDs), are the letters that appear after the final dot in a website’s address (e.g., the .com in example.com). They categorize a website, indicating its purpose, nature, or geographic location. The main domain name extensions fall into three primary categories:
Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)
These are the most common and recognizable extensions, originally intended for specific types of organizations but now largely unrestricted, meaning anyone can register them.
.com Commercial entities
The most popular TLD worldwide; widely used for all types of commercial businesses, e-commerce, and general websites due to its strong global recognition and trust.
.org Non-profit organizations
Used by non-profits, charities, open-source projects, and community groups, conveying credibility and a mission-driven focus.
.net Network organizations
Originally for networking technologies, now a common alternative to .com, often used by tech companies, infrastructure services, and general businesses.
.info Informational websites
Designed for sites providing information, though its use is also largely unrestricted.
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)
These two-letter extensions are assigned to a specific country, sovereign state, or territory, as defined by ISO 3166-1. Learn more detailly on Domain Name Extensions by Country
Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs)
These are managed by specific organizations or communities, and their usage is typically restricted to entities that meet certain predefined criteria.
.edu Accredited post-secondary educational institutions.
.gov Government entities.
.mil Military branches.
.jobs Reserved for human resource managers and sites providing job listings.
.aero For the air-transport industry.
New gTLDs (Generic Top-Level Domains)
Since 2014, ICANN (the organization that coordinates the internet’s domain system) has greatly expanded the number of available gTLDs, leading to hundreds of new, descriptive extensions. These allow for greater branding and specificity.
