New domain extensions: the basics

Throughout the years, people have bought domain names in the most popular Top-Level Domains (TLDs) such as “.com”, “.net”, “.org”, and even country TLDs like “.co.uk” without much thought whenever a new website is deployed. Because everyone seems to opt for a small set of domain endings, simple, short, relevant, and easy-to-remember domain names have been more and more difficult to acquire.

The creation of new domain extensions, or new TLDs, has opened up many new interesting domain options. These new TLDs are separated into three different categories: open new TLDs, semi-open new TLDs (available only under specific conditions), and closed new TLDs.

New domain names in "open" new TLDs can be registered by anyone and can be used to fulfill a wide variety of purposes. For example, many of new domain extensions feature non-Latin alphabet characters such as Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Sanskrit, and Thai. These new TLDs help make the web more accessible to non-English speaking communities.

Geographic new TLDs, referring to precise areas of the world instead of just countries, have also been added. Anyone who wants to include a location, a city or a region in their domain name can now acquire domains with new domain extensions like “.paris,” “.corsica,” “.alsace,” or “.nyc,” among many more.

Generic new TLDs are meant to be used by anyone who wants their domain to portray their website’s contents more accurately. This will help users identify your website’s purpose at a glance. For example, a website focusing on viral news could benefit greatly from new TLDs like “.buzz.”

Some new TLDs, like “.bio,” “.sport,” or “.art,” that cater to very specific fields and activities are also available.

These new TLDs exist for very specific purposes, and only organizations related to the new TLDs can register them. New TLDs like “.museum,” “.coop,” “.bank,” or “.finance” are among these semi-open new domain extensions, and can help define a website’s identity.

These new TLDs are dedicated to large corporations, organizations, and brands that may want their own trademarked name for their new TLD. For example, companies such as L’Oréal or SNCF may use their dedicated new TLDs for all their websites, ensuring that they’re instantly recognized as official communication outlets.