A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the last part of a website’s address that comes after the last dot, such as ‘.com’, ‘.in’, ‘.org’, or ‘.edu’. They are essential for defining a website’s purpose, geographical location, or target audience. For instance, ‘.com’ TLD is used for websites that cater to a global audience, while ‘.edu’ is for educational institutions.
There are several types of TLDs, including generic TLDs (gTLDs) like ‘.net’ and ‘.info,’ country code TLDs (ccTLDs) like ‘.in’ for India, and new gTLDs like ‘.blog’ or ‘.store,’ which cater to specific industries or interests.
Choosing the right TLD is crucial, as it helps define the identity of your website. In this blog, we’ll explain the different types of TLDs and how to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Domain Name Decoded
First things first, let us begin by understanding what a domain name is. A domain name is your online identity and can be referred to as the digital address of your website. Anyone visiting your website needs to type in your domain name in the search bar of the web browser.
ALSO READ: Domain Names: What? Why? And most importantly – how much for?
An example of what a domain name looks like is – www.bigrock.in. If you notice, the domain name consists of three sections, each separated by a ‘dot’.
When we break down a domain name, we begin reading from right to left:
- ‘www’ – World Wide Web, most commonly found before a domain name but can be skipped
- ‘bigrock’ – the name of the website, otherwise known as an SLD, aka Second-Level Domain
‘in’ – domain extension, otherwise, known as a TLD or the Top-Level Domain
Another example of a domain name you may have come across is – blog.websitename.com. In this domain name, the only difference we notice is that ‘www’ is replaced by ‘blog’. Here, the blog is the third-level domain, also known as a subdomain.
So, what is a TLD?
A TLD or top-level domain is the last part of your domain name. It is sometimes also known as a domain name suffix or domain extension, as your domain name ends with the TLD.
A TLD is assigned and overseen by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Moreover, the IANA maintains a list of all the valid TLDs and updates them from time to time.
Do TLDs Affect SEO?
Yes, TLDs can affect your search engine rankings and overall marketing efforts. Although TLDs don’t significantly impact your website’s SEO, such as on-page SEO or backlink profiles, they affect how users perceive your brand. For instance, websites with common TLDs like ‘.com’, ‘.in’, and ‘.edu’ instil trust in the users. The users consider them more legitimate than others.
A 2022 study revealed that the domain names people trust are more likely to be clicked on. The study revealed that the users mostly trust these TLDs:
- ‘.com’
- ‘.co’
- ‘.org’
- ‘.us’
- ‘.net’
- ‘.blog’
- ‘.io’
- ‘.biz’
Moreover, the report suggested that most users seem to trust simple and memorable TLDs over complicated and uncommon ones. This means you can get more organic traffic with a generic top-level domain like ‘.com.’
Examples of Some Common TLDs
There are different types of TLDs; here are some of the common TLDs:
- ‘.com’: It is one of the most common TLDs. It stands for “commercial.” It’s widely used by businesses and organizations around the world. Websites like Google.com, Amazon.com, and Facebook.com use it.
- ‘.org’: It is short for “organization.” This TLD is often linked with nonprofits. Examples include Wikipedia.org and RedCross.org.
- ‘.net’: It was originally meant for websites related to networking, but now it’s used by all sorts of businesses. For instance, SlideShare.net uses this TLD.
- ‘.gov’: This TLD is reserved only for government agencies, like India.gov.in.
- ‘.edu’: It is used by educational institutions. Examples include TISS.edu, which stands for an educational institute named Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
- ‘.co’: It is often seen as short for “company” or “corporation.” This TLD is a good alternative for businesses that want to create a strong online presence and a distinct identity. For instance, bankofindia.co.in or newindia.co.in.
- ‘.me’: It is a personal TLD often used for individual blogs or portfolios, such as About.me or Join.me.
- ‘.blog’: This TLD is perfect for blogs, and creators like Seths.blog and Tim.blog use it.
Whether you’re starting a business, a blog, or supporting a cause, picking the right TLD can help shape your site’s identity and purpose.
Now that we have covered what a TLD is and how it affects SEO, let us now move on to understanding the different types of TLDs in depth.
Types of TLDs
There are officially four types of TLDs recognized by IANA:
- gTLD – Generic Top-Level Domain
- sTLD – Sponsored Top-Level Domain
- ccTLD – Country Code Top-Level Domain
- Test Top-Level Domain
- Infrastructure Top-Level Domain
READ: Know the Differences Between TLD, ccTLD, and gTLD
Let’s explore them in detail:
1. gTLD – Generic Top-level Domain
The gTLD is the most common and recognizable of all TLDs. Some popular gTLDs you may have come across are:
The list of gTLDs is ever-growing. The newly added gTLDs are also known as ‘new gTLDs’.
These days several websites want their domain extension to define their business. That’s why many businesses are choosing gTLDs like ‘.biz’ and ‘.edu.’
Apart from this, there are TLDs specific to certain geographical locations, known as GeoTLDs—their main aim is to serve the purpose of representing a place, culture or language.
Some of the GeoTLDs currently available are:
- .berlin (Berlin, Germany)
- .nyc (New York City, USA)
- .moscow (Moscow, Russian Federation)
- .tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)
- .in (India)
2. sTLD – Sponsored Top-level Domain
sTLD is the type of top-level domain that is sponsored by or taken care of by private organizations, businesses, or the government.
To register your website under an sTLD, your domain should abide by certain rules.
Some common sTLDs are:
- ‘.edu’ – for educational institutions
- ‘.gov’ – primarily for US government entities and agencies
- ‘.asia’ – open to individuals, companies and organizations connected to the region
- ‘.mil’ – primarily US military
Some recent additions to the sTLDs are:
- ‘.travel’ – reserved for travel agencies
- ‘.tel’ – reserved for internet communication service websites
- ‘.museum’ – reserved for museums
3. ccTLD – Country Code Top-level Domain
A ccTLD is a type of top-level domain that is specific to countries. Mostly, ccTLDs consist of two alphabets in the English language. However, some ccTLDs are also available in a country’s regional language.
Here are some examples of ccTLDs available:
- ‘.in’ – India
- ‘.uk’ – United Kingdom
- ‘.us’ – The United States of America
- ‘.va’ – Vatican city state
- ‘.cn’ – China
- ‘.ke’ – Kenya
- ‘.eg’ – Egypt
Note: Some ccTLDs are restricted to only the individuals and organizations residing in the area.
Many times, ccTLDs are used by companies to tap into the local markets by localizing their website addresses.
One example is Amazon.com, which is localized to suit the needs of different country markets. Some examples of country-specific websites are:
- in
- co.uk
- com.au
4. Test Top-Level Domains (TLDs)
Test top-level domains are a set of domains reserved specifically for testing and development purposes. These domains cannot be registered with the Domain Name System (DNS), meaning they can be used freely for testing software changes without the risk of conflicting with existing or future domain names.
TLDs are commonly used for documentation and internal development processes, ensuring developers can safely experiment without affecting real websites or domain names. The four primary TLDs include:
- ‘.test’
- ‘.example’
- ‘.invalid’
- ‘.localhost’
Additionally, the IANA maintains a database that lists other reserved TLDs for similar purposes.
5. Infrastructure Top-level Domain
There is only one domain name in this category, .arpa – Address and Routing Parameter Area.
With the help of this domain name, you can reach the root of the name hierarchy by reverse mapping IP addresses to the domain names.
This domain is exclusively used for Internet infrastructure, particularly the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Furthermore, the domain is administered by IANA under the guidance of IAB (Internet Architecture Board).
How to Choose the Best TLD for Your Website
When choosing a top-level domain for your website, here are a few things to consider:
1. Target audience
First, think about your target audience. If you’re reaching a global audience, a generic TLD like “.com” or “.net” is a good choice. But if you’re focusing on a specific country, you might want a country-specific TLD (ccTLD), like “.in” for India or “.uk” for the United Kingdom.
2. Purpose of the Website
For a business site, TLDs like “.com” or “.store” work well. If it’s for a nonprofit, “.org” is a popular choice. Therefore, when choosing a TLD, keep in mind your website’s purpose.
3. Brand identity
If you have an established brand, using a TLD that matches your brand name (like Bata.com) can strengthen your online presence.
4. Budget
Some TLDs cost more than others. For example, “.com” domains are usually more expensive than “.net,” so it’s worth considering how much you’re willing to spend.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can choose a TLD that best suits your needs and goals.
A Quick Recap
As mentioned above, the primary intent of a TLD is to help a website visitor understand what the website is and the purpose it serves. Whether it’s a commercial business, a nonprofit, or a blog, the right TLD can communicate your site’s intent to the users.
At BigRock, we offer a wide variety of TLDs to match your website’s specific needs. From popular options like ‘.com’ and ‘.net’ to more industry-specific choices such as ‘.tech,’ ‘.store,’ and ‘.blog.’ With so many TLDs available, you can build a web presence that truly reflects your brand and purpose. Register your top-level domain today!
Still confused? Refer to our FAQs for more clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Top Level Domains
Are TLDs important?
Yes, TLDs help define your website’s purpose and audience, making it easier for users to recognize its identity and relevance.
Who is responsible for managing TLDs?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages TLDs through the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
Are there industry-specific TLDs?
Yes, there are many industry-specific TLDs, such as “.tech” for technology or “.store” for retail businesses. Here are some common industry-specific TLDs:
‘.law’ for legal services
‘.edu’ for educational institutes
‘.fashion’ for the fashion industry
How often are new TLDs introduced?
New TLDs are introduced periodically, based on ICANN’s approval process, which allows for new TLD proposals and launches.
Have doubts or want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment below!