A .com extension is one of many examples of a generic top-level domain (TLD). Think of a generic TLD as the reliable family sedan of web addresses—not flashy, widely used, trustworthy, and gets you where you need to go. Obtaining a good gTLD is typically part of a viable business plan to help market your business and direct users to your site.
Here’s an overview of the generic top-level domain name system and how it helps route traffic across the internet.
What is a generic top-level domain (gTLD)?
A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is the last part of a domain name, after the dot, connected with general-use websites not tied to specific countries. Generic TLDs include .com for commercial sites, .net for sites related to networking and IT, .org for nonprofit organizations, .gov for government agencies, and .edu for educational institutions.
New gTLDs,including .info, .biz, and .cfd, emerge every year—more than 1,400 generic TLDs are available today.
Who is responsible for managing TLDs?
The global internet community uses generic top-level domains to store and access website information that helps servers connect users to their intended websites. While no single entity runs the internet, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees and sets usage standards for top-level domain extensions and the domain name system (DNS).
Due to the ongoing creation of new TLDs, ICANN delegates individual TLD management to authorized partner registry services. For example, Verisign is the registry operator for .com and .net, while Public Interest Registry (PIR) manages .org.
Government agencies manage country-specific TLDs, or country-code TLDs (ccTLDs). These ccTLDs are two-letter domains assigned to a specific country or territory to indicate a geographic location and serve alternate website versions. For instance, the yahoo.ca internet address directs to the Canadian version of Yahoo, where articles are more geared toward a Canadian audience.
As an internet user, you don’t deal directly with registry operators when you purchase the rights to domain names. Instead, you work with private domain registrars—like Shopify, GoDaddy, or Namecheap—that have a registry agreement with these larger international organizations. You can safely assume a domain name purchased through accredited registrars is ICANN-approved.
What is a DNS?
The domain name system (DNS) is a global system that connects a web address to a specific website. The DNS translates human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into numerical IP addresses (e.g., 192.0.2.1) so that web browsers can locate and load websites.
The DNS system is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an open standards organization responsible for developing and maintaining the technical protocols that make the internet work.
The DNS is based on a four-part hierarchy:
1. Root level. The root level, or root zone, sits atop the hierarchy and is represented by the dot (.) in a domain name, which directs queries to the correct top-level domain server.
2. Top-leveldomains. Top-level domains include generic TLDs like .com, .org, and .net, and country-code TLDs like .us, .uk, and .ca.
3. Second-level domains. A second-level domain (SLD) is the main component of a domain name and comes before the TLD. The word “Shopify” is the second-level domain in Shopify.com.
4. Subdomains. This lowest level in the hierarchy is for prefixes before the SLD, like www. or blog., which help further organize websites.
How DNS resolution works
Think of the DNS as the internet’s phone book. When you want to visit a website, you type its domain name (e.g., Shopify.com) into your browser. Behind the scenes, the DNS translates that domain name into its corresponding IP address (a long string of numbers), allowing your browser to find the website.
Here’s how this process works:
1. You type the domain name—like “Shopify.com”—into your browser.
2. Your computer connects with a DNS resolver, which looks up information about internet domains.
3. The resolver contacts a root DNS server, a high-level server that directs traffic on the internet. The resolver queries a TLD name server, which stores information on all domain names that use specific TLDs, like .com or .org websites.
4. The resolver connects with the authoritative name server, which holds the domain’s DNS records and returns the corresponding IP address to the resolver.
5. The website connects directly to the web hosting server, and the page appears on your screen.
This entire process, from the moment you enter a domain name to the moment the website loads, happens within milliseconds.
Types of gTLDS
From the early days of the internet, there have been many types of gTLDs, each aligning with a specific type of website. Here are the broad gTLD categories:
Unrestricted gTLDs
Unrestricted gTLDs are open for registration by anyone, with no special requirements. They include .com, .net, and .info. Most were originally planned for specific purposes (e.g., .net was supposed to signify a network-based website and .com was for commercial businesses), but now these popular gTLDs are widely used by various entities.
Restricted gTLDs
Restricted gTLDs require applicants to meet specific criteria before registering. Examples include .gov (for US government entities), .edu (for accredited educational institutions), and .mil (for US military use).
Sponsored gTLDs
Private companies and trade groups set usage rules for sponsored top-level domains. Most restrictions concern what types of entities can use the TLD in their domain name. Examples include .museum (reserved for museums by the Museum Domain Management Association), .aero (for the aviation industry), .travel (for the travel industry), and .jobs (for HR and employment services).
New gTLDs
As demand for websites surged, ICANN announced a new gTLD program to expand domain options for brand owners and organizations. Many new gTLD names appeal to a specific cultural community or interest group, like .blog, .tech, .shop, and .app.
What are some examples of TLDs?
With so many TLDs now available, companies have countless options when selecting the perfect domain name for their target audience. The right gTLD to maximize visibility on search engines may be classics like .com or .net, but cutting-edge or niche industries might try TLDs like .click or .software.
Here are TLDs you might encounter or use for your website:
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.com. The most widely used TLD, primarily for businesses, commercial websites, and general-purpose domains.
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.net. Initially intended for network-related businesses, it’s now used for a wide range of websites.
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.org. Commonly used by nonprofit organizations, charities, and community-based initiatives.
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.gov. Exclusively used by government agencies in the US.
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.edu. Reserved for accredited educational institutions, such as universities and colleges.
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.me. Popular for websites related to an individual, like personal websites, blogs, and branding.
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.co. Often used as an alternative to .com, especially by startups and businesses. Technically, this is a ccTLD linked to the nation of Colombia.
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.io. Frequently adopted by tech companies, startups, and software developers.
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.shop. Tailored for ecommerce businesses and online stores.
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.info. Used for informational websites, reference sites, and knowledge-based platforms.
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.post. Reserved for postal services and related organizations.
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.name. Intended for personal websites and individual branding.
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), which use non-Latin characters, also allow users to create domain names in other alphabets, including Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, and Hebrew. An IDN ccTLD is a country-code top-level domain written in its nation’s native script. Some internet consulting firms advise that businesses with a global audience use multiple TLDs: one using Latin characters and others using the alphabets of other countries.
In 2014, as ecommerce expanded,ICANN received requests from companies for TLDs with a sole registrant and a trademarked name. Brand-specific TLDs, or .brand domains, are controlled by a corporate owner, unlike ccTLDs, which government entities control. For example, Google controls all sites under the .google domain, while other brands like Apple and Microsoft have .apple and .microsoft TLDs.
Generic top-level domain FAQ
How much do TLDs cost?
A website with a standard domain like .com or .org is typically $10 to $12 per year. Newer boutique TLDs may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars per year. If you want to apply for a brand new gTLD via ICANN, the initial fees start at $185,000.
What is an example of a generic domain?
A generic domain uses generic words for its name and a generic TLD as its domain extension. An example is example.com.
Can I create my own top-level domain?
You can create your own top-level domain (TLD) by applying through ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It requires a lengthy approval process, including closed generic applications, a public comment period, a minimum fee of $185,000, and ongoing technical and administrative management costs.
How do I get a free top-level domain?
You can get a free top-level domain (TLD) through certain web hosting providers, domain registrars, or services like Freenom, which offer free domains under extensions like .tk, .ml, .cf, .ga, and .gq. These free domain names often have restrictions and limited ownership rights. Very few business owners use them for their websites.
