What is a TLD?
What is a TLD?
TLD stands for Top-Level Domain. It is the highest level in the hierarchical domain name system structure. In a domain name like "example.com," the TLD is ".com." TLDs are used to categorize and organize domain names based on their purpose or geographic location.
There are different types of TLDs, including:
Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs): These are TLDs that are not specific to any particular country or geographic region. Examples of gTLDs include ".com" (commercial), ".org" (organization), ".net" (network), ".edu" (education), and ".gov" (government). There are also newer gTLDs introduced in recent years, such as ".app," ".blog," ".shop," and many more.
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): These TLDs are assigned to specific countries or territories. Each ccTLD represents a two-letter code that corresponds to the country or region. Examples include ".us" (United States), ".uk" (United Kingdom), ".ca" (Canada), ".de" (Germany), and ".au" (Australia). Some ccTLDs have also been repurposed for other uses beyond their original geographic association.
Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs): These TLDs are specialized extensions sponsored by specific organizations or communities that have a specific purpose or focus. Examples include ".gov" (government agencies in the United States), ".mil" (U.S. military), and ".edu" (educational institutions in the United States).
Infrastructure Top-Level Domain (ARPA): This TLD is used for technical infrastructure purposes and is managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
TLDs are an essential part of the domain name system, as they help organize and differentiate various types of websites and online resources. They provide meaningful identifiers for websites, email addresses, and other internet services. TLDs are managed and overseen by organizations such as ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and country-specific domain registries.