New TLDs

New domain extensions: the basics

Since 2008, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has been creating new domain extensions to provide website owners with a broader range of options. In 2013, in an effort to create more interest in acquiring these types of new domain extensions, new TLDs were launched to represent geographical locations, artistic themes, commercial endeavors, and specific communities, giving all these diverse groups the option to represent themselves using new domain extensions.

More info on new TLDs

Why were these new TLDs created?

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.

Open 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.

Semi-open new TLDs

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.

Closed new TLDs

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.

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FAQ / frequently asked questions

Check Gandi's domain name price list and see all available new domain name endings to find the best price:

There are a few different options for getting a new domain name at Gandi for your site:

  1. Think about what keywords your visitors will search for on Google to find your products and services.
  2. Choose a domain ending that makes it easy to quickly see the industry you're in.
  3. Combine the keyword with the domain ending and see if the domain is available.
  4. Make sure that your new domain name is easy to type and easy to remember.

Use our free WHOIS service to see information about domain names. Check who owns a domain and get information about when the domain expired, it's status, and more. You can use this to find whether domains are available or get information about domains you might want to buy.

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