If you’re still trying to understand domains, you may have questions like, What is a top-level domain (TLD)?
In the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, TLD refers to the highest level of a domain name. what is it after finals dot in a given web/internet address? Examples of common TLDs are .com, .org, .gov, .edu, and .net. Read on to learn more about top-level domains, their types, and their importance.
Understanding Top-Level Domains
Top-level domains are also known as URL extensions, domain suffixes, and domain extensions. TLDs are essential in the DNS hierarchy. The DNS resolvers communicate with the TLD servers whenever a user types a domain name into their web browser. Then, the DNS server returns the IP address of the origin server to the resolver where the domain the user is looking for is hosted.
TLDs also help you easily determine and organize sites according to their purpose, location, or content. For example, .gov is for government agencies, and .com is designated for commercial businesses.
Top-level domain types
The two common types of top-level domains are generic top-level domains and country code top-level domains:
generic top-level domain (gTLD)
The most common TLDs are generic TLDs or gTLDs, which consist of three or more characters. Examples include .net, .org, .com, and .edu. Previously, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) Prohibit the use of new gTLDs. However, they have been eased since 2010. Examples of less popular gTLDs are .loan, .top, .design, and even .dog.
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)
Country code top-level domains, or ccTLDs, are for countries, territories, and sovereign states. These types of TLDs were intended for websites from a specific country or region, or for websites with businesses in the region that use a given ccTLD. Nowadays, however, the practical application of these rules is not so strict, and most users can easily register most country code TLDs.
Generally speaking, however, the ccTLD can help guide customers to where you are located and which countries you serve. Examples of ccTLDs are .ca for Canada, .de for Germany, .au for Australia, and .br for Brazil.
Beyond a Top-Level Domain (TLD): The Importance of TLDs
In addition to understanding what a top-level domain (TLD) is, you must also recognize its importance. For example, TLDs help you communicate your brand message and market your brand. Using a common TLD like .com also helps build trust and credibility. Users can be sure that the TLD is valid.
In addition, TLDs are beneficial for search engine optimization (SEO). They may not have a direct impact on your Google ranking, but they do affect people’s perceptions of your brand. Using simple and popular domain extensions can also help you increase traffic compared to complex and unfamiliar TLDs. ccTLDs generally rank better in local search results than gTLDs.
You can also get trademarks for your domain names, including TLDs, to better protect intellectual property.
conclusion
Top-level domains help with branding and marketing, SEO, protecting intellectual property, and building trust and credibility. To choose the right TLD for your website, consider your goals, such as targeting a global audience or per-country audiences. More importantly, choose a TLD that describes your website or brand.
