Most Popular Top Level Domains

Domain names are more or less internet addresses for the 1.8 billion websites out there on the web.

With over 367 million domains registered, some stand out as top-level domains (TLDs).

These TLDs are highly sought after because they indicate a site's purpose, business, or location.

About 58% of websites use one of the top five TLDs, which can make a site seem more credible and authentic.

For instance, a .com domain often makes customers view a website as legitimate.

This article explores the most popular TLDs, the total number of TLDs available, and much more.

The top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of a website's URL, found at the end. For instance, in Verpex.com, "Verpex" is the domain name and ".com" is the TLD.

Top-level domains are also called domain extensions because the .com or .org is the extension on which a website's domain name is registered.

TLDs (Top-Level Domains) organize the internet's domain name system by categorizing websites based on their purpose, owner, or geographical location.

When a computer loads a website, it starts with the top-level domain (TLD) to find the right data.

All the information for all general TLDs or gTLDs is located in 13 root name servers.

So, for example, the root name server for .org will contain all information about .org websites, but not for .com and vice versa.

ICANN, a nonprofit group, oversees top-level domains by coordinating their global distribution to other organizations.

As of the last update, there are over 1,500 top-level domains (TLDs), not counting retired or test domains.

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a part of ICANN, manages these TLDs and links them with IP addresses.

The original TLDs are:

• .arpa - Or the Address and Routing Parameter Area is used for Internet-infrastructure purposes.

• .gov - comes from the word government and is used by government entities only.

• .edu - Derived from the word education and is used by educational and academic institutions.

• .com - Derived from the word commercial and is used by commercial entities like companies.

• .mil - Derived from the word military and is used by subsidiaries or affiliate organizations of the United States Department of Defense.

• .org - Derived from the word organization and is primarily used by nonprofit entities

• .net - Derived from the word network and was originally created for companies that work with networking technology.

As of April 2024, the five top-level domains that are most commonly used are the following:

• .COM: The .com TLD is the most popular globally. Initially for businesses, it's now used widely for its recognition and strong SEO benefits.

• .NET: Initially aimed at internet service providers and networks, .net has become a popular alternative to .com, especially for technology and web-based businesses.

• .ORG: The .org domain, once for non-profits, is now open to many, like education sites, communities, and NGOs. It represents trust and community.

• .CO: Originally Colombia's ccTLD, .co is now popular worldwide, especially among companies and startups, for its ".com"-like appeal and modern vibe.

• Country/Nation Extensions: Many ccTLDs, such as .us, .uk, .de, show a site's local focus, boosting its relevance and trust with users. They're key for targeting local audiences.

1. Generic (international) TLDs

Generic TLDs like .com, .org, .net, .info, and .club make up the largest category, open to all users. The first ones, .com, .org, and .net, are the most popular due to their early availability for public registration.

2. Country code TLDs

Country code TLDs (ccTLDs) are two-letter domain extensions assigned to countries, territories, and sovereign states based on the ISO 3166 standard.

Once registered, these codes can become TLDs managed by IANA. Local authorities then set rules for who can register these domains.

Examples include .eu for the European Union, .us for the USA, .de for Germany, and .uk for the UK.

3. Generic country-code TLDs

Generic ccTLDs are country-code domains so widely used they're seen as generic.

These have no restrictions on registration and often relate to popular concepts rather than the countries they represent.

For instance, Tuvalu's .tv is popular for TV-related sites.

Other examples include .co (Colombia), .io (British Indian Ocean Territory), .me (Montenegro), and .cc (Cocos Islands), used globally for various purposes.

4. New TLDs

New TLDs were introduced starting in 2001 to meet the Internet's expanding needs, due to the surge in websites and usage.

These TLDs, added over time, include .top, .icu, .xyz, .site, .shop, and .app, among others.

Some are industry-specific, like .attorney, .property, and .technology, catering to particular sectors.

5. Sponsored TLDs

Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs) are managed by private organizations and have certain registration requirements.

Not everyone can register these domains. Popular sTLDs include .gov (U.S. government), .mil (U.S. military), and .edu (U.S. higher education), exclusive to U.S. organizations.

6. Infrastructure TLD

The Infrastructure TLD is the .arpa domain, short for Address and Routing Parameter Area. It's used solely for reverse domain name resolution.

7. Brand TLDs

Brand TLDs let companies use their names as domain extensions, offering a unique web presence.

Examples include .abc for the American Broadcast Company .google for Google, .audi for Audi, and .hbo for HBO. This enhances their sophistication and uniqueness online.

The most common and easiest way to register a domain name is through a domain registrar, which requires selecting one that aligns with your needs based on pricing and features.

Usually you can find available TLDs and their registration costs on a domain registrar's website.

But to have a website, you'll also need web hosting. To get both at the same place, choose an appropriate provider that offers both services.

Verpex, for instance, includes a free domain name in all hosting plans, plus free privacy protection and 24/7 support.

Although you can definitely find a TLD with an affordable price tag, there have been instances when people have paid enormous amounts of money to get a particular domain name.

For example, the most expensive domain name in 2023 was AI.com, which was sold for $11 million.

However, the most expensive domain name overall is CarInsurance.com, which was sold for over $49 million in 2010.

The choice of a top-level domain (TLD) can have significant implications for a website's SEO strategy and its overall performance in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Here's how:

Relevance and local SEO

Country code TLDs (ccTLDs) signal geographical relevance to search engines, potentially boosting the site's ranking in local search queries.

Local businesses benefit from using ccTLDs as they can rank higher for searches made in their country.

Global vs. Local

Generic TLDs (gTLDs) like .com, .org, and .net are perceived as more globally oriented. Websites aiming for a worldwide audience may find gTLDs advantageous for broader reach.

Industry-Specific TLDs

Industry-specific TLDs, such as .tech, .travel, or .education, can help signal the site's niche to search engines and users, potentially improving relevance and credibility.

Brand TLDs

Using a brand TLD (.brand) can enhance brand recognition and trust, contributing positively to user experience and SEO.

Trust and Authority

Some TLDs are associated with a higher level of trust (e.g., .gov, .edu) and may receive an informal boost in search credibility.

High-trust TLDs can lead to higher click-through rates (CTRs) from SERPs, indirectly benefiting SEO.

Keyword Matching

Domains that match key search terms (exact match domains) can benefit SEO, but the effect is nuanced.

The quality of the website's content and user experience remain paramount.

SEO Myths

The myth that some new gTLDs are directly penalized by search engines is unfounded. Google has stated that it treats most TLDs equally, but site content and user experience are critical factors.

Link Building Challenges

Websites with less common TLDs may face challenges in building trust and obtaining high-quality backlinks, impacting SEO.

Top-level domains (TLDs) are crucial online, serving as a business's digital address.

They shape how customers see your business, with the more popular extensions boosting credibility.

Top-level domains (TLDs) can include numbers, but they must also have letters; purely numerical extensions aren't allowed.

And yes, getting the .com extension may seem like the best option right now, but even if you don't manage to get this one, you have over 1500 other TLDs to choose from!