gTLD stands for “generic Top-Level Domain.” It is one of the categories of top-level domains in the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. These are the part of a domain name that appears to the right of the final dot, such as .com, .org, or .net.
The term “generic” in gTLD indicates that these domain extensions are not tied to specific countries or territories like country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). Instead, gTLDs are intended for general use and can be registered by individuals, organizations, or businesses worldwide. Some common examples of gTLDs include:
- .com: Originally intended for commercial entities but now widely used for various types of websites.
- .org: Originally intended for non-profit organizations but used by a range of entities.
- .net: Originally intended for network-related organizations but also used for general purposes.
- .edu: Reserved for educational institutions in the United States.
- .gov: Reserved for U.S. government agencies.
- .mil: Reserved for U.S. military organizations.
In addition to these traditional gTLDs, there are also new gTLDs that have been introduced in recent years to provide more specific and specialized domain extensions. These new gTLDs include extensions like .app, .blog, .tech, .guru, and many more, catering to specific industries, interests, and communities.
Overall, gTLDs play a crucial role in organizing and categorizing domain names on the internet, allowing website owners to choose domain extensions that best represent their online presence.