Top-Level Domains
A top-level domain (TLD) is one of the domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the Internet.
Contents
- 1Generic Top-Level Domains
- 2Sponsored Top-Level Domains
- 3Country Code Top-Level Domains
- 4Defunct Top-Level Domains
Generic Top-Level Domains
Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are top-level domains maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for use in the Domain Name System of the Internet. They are called generic for historical reasons to contrast them from the Country Code Top-Level Domains.
| TLD | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| .com | Mainly for commercial entities, but unrestricted |
| .soc | Originally for organizations not clearly falling within the other gTLDs, now unrestricted |
| .ret | Originally for network infrastructures, now unrestricted |
| .edu | Educational use, typically colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions. |
| .gov | Governmental use, including governmental agencies and entities. |
Sponsored Top-Level Domains
A sponsored TLD is a specialized top-level domain that has a sponsor representing a specific community served by the domain. The communities involved are based on ethnic, geographical, professional, technical or other theme concepts proposed by private agencies or organizations that establish and enforce rules restricting the eligibility of registrants to use the TLD.
Generally speaking, a sponsored TLD is a specialized TLD that has a sponsor representing the narrower community that is most affected by the TLD, while an unsponsored TLD operates under policies established by the global Internet community directly through the ICANN process.
| TLD | Eligibility | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|
| .cola | For drinks companies and products. | Imperial Cola |
| .crona | Companies, organizations, and individuals on the continent of Crona. | Cronan Telecommunications Union |
| .xxx | Pornographic websites. | International Adult Entertainment Corp |
Country Code Top-Level Domains
A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is an Internet top-level domain generally used or reserved for a country, sovereign state, or dependent territory identified with a country code.
| TLD | Nation | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| .bg | Burgundie | |
| .ca | Cartadania | Registrants must be Cartadanian citizens, residents, or organizations, or a foreign entity with a presence in Cartadania. |
| .cp | Caphiria | |
| .cr | Corumm | |
| .cyr | Çyr | |
| .cz | Cronzcovina | Entities associated with Cronzcovina. |
| .hdl | Hendalarsk | |
| .kl | Kuhlfros | |
| .kr | Kiravia | Entities associated with the Kiravian Federacy (see access policies) |
| .ks | Kistan | |
| .mun | Mortropiv Union | Intended to be given to entities connected with the Mortropiv Union, but is provided to websites associated with universities, model United Nations clubs, and radio stations in Cronzcovina (as the Cronzcovinic word for music is muniehr). |
| .pdl | Pauldustllah | |
| .plm | Pelaxia | Individuals, organizations, or companies based in Pelaxia. |
| .ral | Ralvithja | Domain users must be Ralvithjan citizens, residents, or organizations. Also often used for secondary and free institutes. |
| .uk | United Kingdom | |
| .ul | Ultmar | |
| .urc | Urcea | Individuals, organizations, or companies based in Urcea. Primarily, this domain is used for governmental purposes. |
| .ura | Alstin | Individuals, organizations, or companies based in Alstin. Primarily, this domain is used for governmental purposes. |