What is top-level domain name (TLD) and how do they work?

Each time you enter a domain name, you always need to type something after the dot like .com, .net, .org, etc. These three letters are very important to the address you enter to get you where you need it and they are called Top Level Domains (TLD).

These three letters are always at the end of the domain name, but are they so important? Can you know the website information just by reading these three letters? If you do not type them, you may be sent to a wrong site or go nowhere.

What is the top level TLD domain name?

Top-level domain names are also called Internet domain extensions or domain suffixes. Thanks to this top-level domain name, you can instantly know the type of website information provided. For example, if the URL you are entering ends with .gov, you know that it is government-related information.

Each independent top-level domain name is managed by a specific organization. This organization is under the control of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). But why are there so many top-level domains? Because the top-level domain name tells you its geographical area, the owner, the purpose, there are quite a few options.

Types of top-level domain names

There are six main top-level domain names recognized by ICANN:

1. Country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) - Each country has its own top-level domain name based on two-letter ICO code. For example, America's highest-level domain name is .us, Mexico is .mx, Vietnam is .vn. This top-level domain name has only two letters.

2. Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) - This top-level domain name is collectively called because it is used by a specific class of organizations. In March 2018, the number of shared domain names is over 1200 and there are many types of generic top-level domains such as support, geography and brand names. For example, top-level domain names are .com, .org, .infor and .net. Anyone can register this top-level domain name.

3. Infrastructure Top Level Domains (arpa) - This top-level domain name has only one single domain name arpa stands for Address and Routing Parameter Area and is controlled by the Digital Issuing Organization. Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority).

4. Top-level domains supported (Sponsored Top Level Domains - sTLD) - Private organizations are organizations that manage these top-level domains. Examples of supported top-level domains are .asia, .edu, .aero, .museum, .jobs, .mobi and .gov. These top-level domains are restricted and will only be assigned if certain guidelines are met.

5. Creative Top Level Domain Domain - .tv (for TV programs and other video projects), .name (for sites that focus on a specific user), .me (projects) personal branding project), .expert (to show you are an expert in certain areas) and .guru (similar to the previous top-level domain name).

6. Internationalized Top-Level Domain Name (IDN) - This type of top-level domain name can be seen in a natural language script. If you see a domain name with the .ykp letter, it is the top-level domain name for Ukraine.

Not all top-level domains are used in production networks. For example, top-level domains such as .example, .invalid, .localhost and .test. These top-level domains can be used according to its name. For example, the .test domain name is used in tests. When you know the meaning of the top level domain, at least you know about the information that the site provides.

See more:

1. 6 tools to help you choose creative and unique domain names
2. The most dangerous domain names in the world
3. How to choose the best domain name?