.gu facts for kids
| Introduced | 1994 |
|---|---|
| TLD type | Country code top-level domain |
| Status | Active |
| Registry | Guam Network Information Center |
| Sponsor | University of Guam |
| Intended use | Entities connected with Guam |
| Actual use | Not very heavily used |
| Registration restrictions | Must have a contact in Guam |
| Structure | Registrations are accepted only at the third level beneath various second-level labels |
| Documents | |
| Dispute policies | |
| Website | Guam NIC |
The .gu is a special internet address, like a digital postcode, for the island of Guam. It's known as a country code top-level domain (ccTLD). Every website address ends with a top-level domain, like .com, .org, or .net. The .gu domain helps people know that a website is connected to Guam.
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What is a Top-Level Domain?
Think of the internet as a huge city with many buildings. Each building has an address. On the internet, these addresses are called domain names. A top-level domain, or TLD, is the very last part of a website address. For example, in "wikipedia.org", ".org" is the TLD.
Country Code Top-Level Domains
There are different kinds of TLDs. Some are for general use, like .com for commercial sites. Others are called country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). These are two-letter codes given to countries or territories around the world. For example, .us is for the United States, .uk is for the United Kingdom, and .gu is for Guam.
Why Does Guam Have .gu?
Guam is an island territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean. Like many other countries and territories, it has its own unique internet address ending. The .gu domain was created in 1994. It helps websites and online services that are based in Guam or have strong ties to the island.
Who Manages the .gu Domain?
The .gu domain is managed by the Guam Network Information Center. This organization makes sure that the .gu addresses work correctly. They also handle who can register and use these special internet names.
The Role of the University of Guam
The University of Guam acts as the sponsor for the .gu domain. This means they support the operations of the Guam Network Information Center. They help ensure that Guam's internet presence is stable and well-managed.
Who Can Use .gu Addresses?
The .gu domain is mainly for organizations and people connected to Guam. This could be businesses, schools, or government offices on the island. However, it's not used as much as some other country domains.
Getting a .gu Address
If you wanted to get a .gu website address, you would need to have a contact person in Guam. This rule helps keep the domain focused on entities that truly have a connection to the island. Also, you can only register a .gu address at the third level. This means it would look something like "yourname.something.gu" instead of just "yourname.gu".
