TLD stands for “Top-Level Domain.” It is the highest level of domain names in the hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet. TLDs are used to categorize and manage domain names in a structured manner. When you visit a website, the TLD is the part of the domain name that appears at the far right, following the last dot.
Here are the main categories of TLDs:
- Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs): These are the most common TLDs and include extensions like .com, .org, .net, and .info. gTLDs are not associated with any specific country or territory and are typically used for a wide range of purposes.
- Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): Each country or territory has its own ccTLD, which corresponds to its two-letter country code. For example, .us is the ccTLD for the United States, .uk is for the United Kingdom, and .ca is for Canada. These TLDs are generally reserved for entities located within or associated with the respective country or territory.
- Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs): These are specialized TLDs sponsored by specific organizations or communities. For example, .gov is sponsored by the U.S. government, .edu is sponsored by educational institutions, and .museum is for museums.
- Infrastructure Top-Level Domains: These TLDs are used for technical and infrastructure-related purposes. For example, .arpa is used for Address and Routing Parameter Area assignments, and .int is reserved for international treaty organizations.
- New gTLDs: In recent years, many new gTLDs have been introduced to provide more variety and specificity in domain extensions. These include extensions like .app, .blog, .tech, and .guru.
TLDs play a crucial role in organizing the internet’s domain name system, making it easier for users to identify the purpose or origin of a website based on its domain extension. Each TLD registry is responsible for managing and maintaining domain registrations under its TLD, and they may have specific eligibility and registration requirements.