A Complete Overview of Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) 

Have you ever found yourself scratching your head over the difference between .com, .org, or .net when setting up your website? Those endings are called Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs), and they’re more than just a part of your website’s address—they also guide how people perceive your site. Choosing the right one be overwhelming. Don’t worry, though. Let’s understand what gTLDs are and why choosing the right one can make all the difference. 

The DNS, Domain Name System 

The Domain Name System (DNS) acts as the internet’s phonebook, translating human-friendly domain names into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. When you type a web address into your browser, DNS quickly directs your request to the right server. This process starts when your browser sends a query to a DNS server asking for the IP address associated with the domain name. Suppose this server doesn’t have the information readily available. In that case, it reaches out across a network of servers, including the root, TLD (Top-Level Domain), and authoritative servers, until it finds the necessary details. 

It’s relayed to your device once you locate the correct IP address. This enables your browser to load the website you requested. This response might also be stored in your server’s DNS cache to facilitate quicker access to future requests. DNS makes the internet way more user-friendly and efficient than you might think. Without it, life would be a real pain because we’d have to memorize and type out long numerical IP addresses instead of simple domain names. 

Components of a domain name 

A domain name is made up of a few critical pieces: the main domain, the extension, and possibly a subdomain. Each plays a specific role in guiding you to the right space online, whether you’re heading for the site’s main page or a particular section of it. Getting to know these parts can help demystify how the internet keeps all its countless pages organized and accessible. 

• Second-Level Domain (SLD): A second-level domain (SLD) is the part of a domain name that comes directly before the top-level domain in a web address. For instance, in “domain.com,” “domain” is the second-level domain, representing the unique identifier or name of the website. 

• Top Level Domain (TLD): A website’s top-level domain, or TLD, further distinguishes websites from one another and helps identify their content. In “domain.com,” the TLD is the string of letters that fall to the right of the dot, specifically, “.com.” 

• Subdomain: A subdomain is like a particular tag you add to your main website’s name to point to a different area of your site, without needing a whole new web address. For instance, if your website is “example.com,” creating a subdomain like “blog.example.com” helps you set up a separate space for your blog, keeping everything neat and organized under the same primary name. 

What is a gTLD? 

A Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) is a kind of domain extension that isn’t tied to any specific country, which sets it apart from country-specific suffixes like .uk or .us. These global extensions can affect how people see your website, and they give you lots of options to choose from. You can pick one that fits your brand’s personality or the purpose of your business. Knowing the different types of gTLDs can help you choose a domain extension that gets your site noticed and resonates with the people you’re trying to reach. 

gTLDs can be categorized as: 

• Generic gTLDs are the ones you know best and use the most. They’re the .com, .org, and .net type, available to anyone worldwide, no matter where you’re from or what you do. With these domains, you can have a solid and flexible online presence that really stands out. 
• Sponsored gTLDs are made for specific communities, industries, or interest groups. These extensions are controlled by organizations that establish and monitor eligibility requirements for their use. For instance, .edu is specifically for educational institutions, while .gov is used exclusively by government bodies. 
• Generic restricted gTLDs strike a balance between generic and more restricted options. They’re similar to generic gTLDs but come with some extra rules. Take the .biz extension, for instance. Its intended use is for genuine business purposes, so only actual businesses can use it. 
• The infrastructure gTLD category, made up of just .arpa, plays a crucial role in the behind-the-scenes workings of the Internet. This category isn’t open to the public for registration. It’s specifically designed to keep the internet’s underlying systems running smoothly. 

All gTLDs are run by either their sponsoring organization or by a registry operator approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). This setup helps to keep the internet running smoothly. 

The origins and growth of gTLDs 

The first wave of gTLDs was released in the 80s, shortly after the internet was invented. They were developed to help the first generation of internet users organize websites. 

Despite being 30+ years old, the first gTLDs are among the most popular top-level domains on the internet. The original gTLDs are: 

• .com 
• .net 
• .org 
• .edu 
• .gov 
• .mil 

.com 

.com has remained popular ever since the first wave of gTLDs was released and as a result, it is the most recognized top-level domain. 

• The “com” in .com stands for “commercial” 
• .com is the most widely used gTLD of all time 

Originally intended for use by for-profit, commercial businesses, .com became the go-to extension for most websites. 

If someone has the chance to register a domain name with a .com gTLD, they should seriously consider taking advantage of the opportunity. Here’s why: 

• Familiarity: Almost every internet user has typed “.com” at some point in time (if not daily), leading to an implicit authority possessed by all .com websites. People tend to trust .com websites as they see them all the time and are most familiar with them. 
• SEO Favorability: Some SEO experts agree that many search engines are biased towards .com websites as .coms are widely used and frequently searched. So, websites with a .com domain name may have a higher chance of appearing towards the top of search results.  

.net 

There’s no debating the dominance of the .com gTLD, nor the strength of the gTLDs trailing right behind it in registration volume. 

• The “net” in .net stands for “network” 
• .net is one of the most popular gTLDs available 

The word “network” suggests that the .net gTLD was originally intended for tech-based companies and industries. It’s frequently used for websites advertising, promoting, and selling web-based services. 

Since fewer .net domain names have been registered than .com domain names, companies or individuals have a higher chance of securing the .net domain name that best fits their brand.  

.org 

.org is another gTLD that anyone can register for. However, its original purpose was to indicate websites belonging to non-profits, NGOs, and other organizations. Like .net and .com, .org is one of the oldest and most credible gTLDs available. 

• The “org” in .org stands for “organization” 
• .org websites often focus on community building 

.org websites are normally seen as trustworthy. Some of the most famous .orgs, like Wikipedia, have done a lot to bolster the credibility of this classic gTLD. .org is often associated with websites that impart reliable information, but it’s also commonly used to register websites that serve as an online home for communities of people with similar interests. 

Although .org was originally intended for nonprofits, a lack of regulation has essentially eliminated that restriction, making it possible to secure your ideal domain name with a .org gTLD. There are millions of registered .org domain names, but not as many as .com, so you may have a better chance of getting the domain name you want with this gTLD. 

.edu 

While this TLD was initially broadly associated with education, over time, its registration has been limited primarily to accredited post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. This is largely due to the management of the .edu TLD by Educause, a U.S.-based organization, under the authorization of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Other countries often use different TLDs for educational institutions, such as .ac.uk in the United Kingdom or .edu.au in Australia, which aligns more closely with their own naming conventions. 

.gov 

This TLD is specifically reserved for the U.S. government entities at the federal, state, and local levels. The management and allocation of .gov domains are handled by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), following strict guidelines that restrict use to official U.S. government organizations. Other countries typically use country-specific TLDs for their government entities, such as .gov.uk for the United Kingdom or .gc.ca for Canada. 

.mil 

Like .gov, the .mil TLD is exclusively reserved for the United States military. Managed by the U.S. Department of Defense, it provides a secure domain space for U.S. military communications and operations. Other nations use different systems for their military establishments, often incorporating their country code within the TLD. 

It’s likely that you’ve seen or recognized most, if not all, of these gTLDs. 

Because of how recognizable these gTLDS are, domain names that include them are often considered more valuable than domain names using some of the more obscure TLDs developed in the past several years. 

gTLDs vs ccTLDs 

Choosing the right domain name for your website depends on knowing the difference between two main types—generic top-level domains and country code top-level domains. If you want to reach a global audience, .com, .org, and .net are good choices because they aren’t tied to a specific region. 

On the other hand, if your focus is local, country code domains like .uk, .de, or .ca can be a great choice. These immediately let visitors know where you’re based, which is perfect for businesses that want to appeal to local customers or tap into regional markets. This can really help your site show up higher in local search results. So, whether you’re going for an international appeal or a local vibe, your domain name can make a big difference. 

Here are other examples of ccTLDs: 

• .cn – China 
• .us – United States of America 
• .ca – Canada 
• .ru – Russia 
• .nl – Netherlands 
• .br – Brazil 
• .eu – European Union 
• .fr – France 
• .au – Australia 

Compared to gTLDs, ccTLDs help websites target internet users in their geographic region. Many ccTLD domain name owners believe that using a specialized ccTLD gives them a competitive advantage. Some ccTLDs, like .ca or .us, have geographic restrictions on who can register and use them. 

How to register a domain name and gTLD 

The best way to register a domain name is through an accredited online registrar, like Domain.com. 

1. Head to the domain search tool that allows you or your business to search for your desired domain name. If no exact match is available, we’ll show you a list of domain names that are available and associated with the keyword or phrase you searched. 

2. Once it’s available, it will automatically be added to the cart. On your shopping cart, the Domain Privacy + Protection is automatically added. This protection masks your personal information on the WHOIS database to protect you from identity theft, fraud, and spam. Moreover, the Domain Privacy + Protection protects your site by malware scanning and blacklist monitoring. If you don’t want this option for now, you can remove this from your cart. 
3. Click Continue. 
4. You’ll be asked to provide your billing and payment information. Once done, click Purchase now. 

Tip: Use Domain.com’s AI Domain Name Generator to help you with your domain name choices if you need more ideas. 

How much does it cost to register? 

Because certain gTLDs and ccTLDs are more popular than others, prices between them tend to vary. Some TLDs cost $9.99 and others may cost more to register for a year. You can find the perfect domain name for your business at Domain.com and register it for a period of 1 to 5 years. 

Make your mark online 

Wrapping up our exploration of generic top-level domains, it’s clear they do more than give your site an online address—they also influence how it’s perceived and used. From the versatile .com to the community-driven .org, choosing the right one can boost your website’s visibility and credibility. Moreover, mastering the basics of the DNS and understanding the different parts of a domain name gives you the power to make more informed choices about your online presence. As the web evolves, having a solid grasp of these basics will be crucial to keeping your site relevant and connecting with your audience. 

Frequently asked questions