Proposed top-level domain facts for kids
The Internet uses a special system called the Domain Name System (DNS). Think of it like a giant address book for all websites. At the very top of this system are top-level domains (TLDs). These are the last parts of a website address, like `.com`, `.org`, or `.net`.
When the internet started growing, people wanted more types of website addresses. In 1984, there were only six main types of these addresses, called generic top-level domains (gTLDs). To make room for more websites, new TLDs were suggested to an organization called ICANN. ICANN helps manage internet names and numbers. Some ideas were for "unrestricted gTLDs," which anyone could use. Other ideas were for "chartered gTLDs," meant for special groups or uses. In October 2000, ICANN shared a list of all the new TLD ideas they had received.
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New Internet Addresses: Ideas and Plans
People have suggested many new top-level domains (TLDs) for different reasons. These ideas often focus on where a website is from, what language it uses, or what topic it covers.
Geographic Website Addresses
These ideas are about creating TLDs for specific places or regions.
- .geo
- This TLD was proposed for general geographical locations. It would help organize websites based on their real-world place.
- .ln and .le
- These TLDs, along with others like .lunar and .moon, were offered by someone selling "land" on the moon and other planets. However, these TLDs are not officially supported by the internet's main servers. This means they don't actually work as website addresses.
- .toronto
- Officials from the City of Toronto in Canada suggested this TLD. It would be used for websites related to their city.
International Country Codes
Some countries use languages with different writing systems, like Japanese or Arabic. These proposals are for country code TLDs (ccTLDs) that use these special characters. This process is called the Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) ccTLD Fast Track Process.
DNS name | IDN ccTLD | Country | Transliteration | Script | ccTLD | Year of application |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
xn--wgv71a | .日本 | ![]() |
Nippon or Nihon | Kanji | .jp | 2008 |
xn--vcst06ab2a | .日本国 | Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku | Kanji | 2012 | ||
xn--mgbb7fyab | ليبيا. | ![]() |
Lībyā | Arabic | .ly |
Many countries use non-Latin scripts for their languages. However, they do not yet have an internationalized country code top-level domain. Some of these countries include:
- Afghanistan
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Cyprus
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- North Korea
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Maldives
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Tajikistan
Language and Community Website Addresses
These proposals aim to create unique internet identities for groups of people who share a language or culture. They were inspired by the success of the .cat domain, which was made for websites in the Catalan language or about Catalan culture.
Domain name | Intended use | Sponsor | Year of Proposal | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
Welsh language and Wales | dotCYM Cyf | 2006 | This was suggested for the Welsh language and Wales. However, ICANN later set it aside for the Cayman Islands. New domains like .cymru and .wales were later approved for Wales. | |
.eng | England | DotEng | 2008 | The DotEng.org website was started by John Sewell to support this domain for England. |
.ker | Cornish language and Cornwall | Cornish World Magazine | 2008 | This name comes from "Kernow," the Cornish word for Cornwall. |
.lli | Leonese language and culture | puntuLLI | 2007 | Many companies and groups supported this campaign for the Leonese language and culture. |
.nai | Native, Aboriginal, and Indigenous peoples of the Americas | nai | 1999 | This idea was proposed to give Native American communities their own online space. It aims to help their economic growth and provide an alternative to other domain names. |
Scotland | dotSCO | 2005 | The dotSCO campaign worked to get support for a new TLD for Scotland. This campaign is no longer active, as the .scot domain has now been approved. | |
.sic | Székely Land | Pontsic Foundation | 2009 | The pontSIC campaign started in 2008 to support a new TLD for the Székely community. Many groups are involved, and by September 2009, over 33,200 people had signed in support. |
- Some of these groups, like those behind dotCYMRU, dotEUS, dotSCOT, and dotBZH, formed a group called ECLID. This group works together to help their cultural and language-based domain applications succeed.
Technical Website Address Ideas
These proposals focus on specific technical uses for domain names.
- .mail
- This domain was suggested for e-mail networks. The idea was that it could help fight against unwanted emails, known as e-mail spam.
- .web
- This TLD was proposed for general use on the World Wide Web. It would be a broad category for many different types of websites.
Specialized and Professional Topics
These TLDs are for specific topics, industries, or groups of professionals.
- .eco
- This domain is for websites related to environmental causes. It became fully available in 2017.
- .med
- This TLD is for medical professionals and organizations. It has been available since 2016.
- .shop
- This domain is for electronic commerce sites, meaning online stores where people can buy things. It has been available since 2016.
- .sport
- This TLD is for websites about sports.