What is a top-level domain?

If you’re wondering the same, you have landed in the right post.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a top-level domain is, examples of top-level domains, types of top-level domains, and some best practices for choosing the right top-level domains.

We’ll cover everything about TLDs and ensure all of your confusion is cleared at the end of the post.

So, without wasting any further time, let’s dive right in.

What is a Top-Level Domain?

A top-level domain is the segment of a domain following the “DOT” symbol in any domain name.

Top-level domains are also called TLD, domain extensions, and ULR extensions.

For example, the top-level domain for the domain zutrix.com is “com.” This is the highest level of hierarchy in the domain name system.

This helps to organize millions of websites on the internet effortlessly and separates websites with similar names.

The entire website address is called a URL, and it has several parts, including the top-level domain.

  • HTTPS: This is an internet protocol used to send data between a website and a browser.
  • WWW: Also known as the “World Wide Web,” is a subdomain used to indicate a website’s location on the internet.
  • Domain name: This is the actual name of the website. 
  • .Com: It’s the top-level domain part of the URL.
  • /page: It’s the specific page on the website.

Examples of Top-Level Domains

Here are some widely used examples of top-level domains:

  • .com: Used by most of the websites irrespective of the niche and type of website.
  • .net: This TLD is mainly used by tech-related websites.
  • .gov: Used by government-related websites (this can only be owned by governments).
  • .edu: Used by educational institutes, schools, and universities.
  • .uk, .us. .in: These are countries-specific top-level domains.
  • .org: Used by organizations and non-profits.
  • .biz: Used by small businesses and commercial entities.
  • .shop: Mostly used by eCommerce websites.
  • .tech: Used by technology-related websites.
  • .ai: This TLD is primarily popular among websites and businesses related to artificial intelligence.
  • .app: Used by mobile and web applications.
  • .info: Mostly used by informational websites.

Types of Top-Level Domains

TLDs are generally divided into various categories:

1. Generic Top-Level Domains

These TLDs are open to everyone, and anyone can use them in their URLs. These TLDs are not linked to any specific country, government entity, or organization, so you can freely use them without any restriction or authorization.

Some of the common generic top-level domains are:

  • .com
  • .net
  • .tech
  • .ai
  • .co
  • .org
  • .info

2. Country Specific Top-Level Domains

These TLDs represent a specific country and are usually preferred by businesses or websites that just want to serve within the specific country.

Some of the common country-specific TLDs are:

  • .us (United States)
  • .in (India)
  • .uk (United Kingdom)
  • .au (Australia)
  • .ca (Canada)
  • .ae (United Arab Emirates)

Every single country has its own specific TLD.

The best part is you can also easily purchase a country-specific TLD for your website without any restrictions.

3. Sponsored Top-Level Domains

These types of TLDs are reserved for specific groups and organizations.

Some of the common sponsored TLDs are:

  • .gov (reserved for government organizations)
  • .edu (reserved for schools and universities)
  • .mil (reserved for military)
  • .aero (reserved for the aviation industry)

Unlike other types of TLDs, you can’t register a sponsored TLD freely. You would require authorization from the organization that controls the specific TLD.

Does Top-Level Domain Affect SEO?

Now, here comes the most important question: 

Do top-level domains affect SEO performance?

Well, there is a long-standing debate that SEOs have been having for years.

Some people believe that it slightly affects SEO performance, while others believe it’s just a myth.

To be honest, we have personally not found any relation between SEO performance and TLD.

Irrespective of what TLD you choose, if your website content, backlinks, and technicals are top-notch, you’ll always win the SEO race.

So, the moral of the story is that you shouldn’t choose a TLD based on the assumption of better SEO performance.

Choose a TLD based on your website or business structure, geography, and audience.

Final Words

“.com” is the most popular and widely used TLD worldwide. This is the perfect TLD for you if you have a business website or blog targeting an international audience.

However, if your business or website is focused on a specific country, country-specific TLD will always be the best option.

No matter what TLD you choose for your business, ensure it matches your website niche and target audience.

Related Posts