What is a TLD (Top-Level Domain) - SEO Glossary

What is a TLD?

A top-level domain (TLD) is the suffix or extension attached to a website. About half of all websites use the top-level domain com, commonly called "dot com". Other common TLDs are net, org, info and edu.

There are over 1,000 TLDs, but most people are only familiar with the most common ones. This is because the mass majority of TLDs are used by less than 0.1% of all websites.

There are different classifications of TLDs. For example, some are assigned to countries like ru (for Russia) are tied. In addition regional Extensions as Country code top level domains (ccTLD) classified.

Some TLDs are indicators of the content of a website like .casino or.apartments. The non-profit ICANN regulates which new TLDs come onto the market.

The home page of a website and its top-level domain is the root domain. Google.com is an example of a root domain. All so-called root domains are the top-level hierarchy of a website. Subdomains (like images.google.com) and sections of a website (like google.com/about) are therefore all sub-domains or sub-sites within the root domain.

Which top-level domain should you choose?

The first step in starting a new website is to choose the theme of your website and the Top-level domain or the suffix it will use. Registering a website usually costs 15-25€ per year and you can only register a website that is not yet registered. There are also marketplaces for buying and selling root domains (e.g Nicsell), so you can sometimes negotiate to buy a website address from someone else.

Using .com is the safest choice when it comes to branding, as it is very familiar to people and a sign of quality. However, if you are in a specific niche or locality, it may make sense to use something else. For example, non-profit organizations generally use .org and educational websites generally use .edu. It is considered a good marketing practice to use shorter and easy to spell domain names.

Tip: In SEO circles it is said that the ccTLD ".de" offers a small ranking advantage in Germany. Include this local dependency in your branding decision.

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FAQ

What is a top-level domain (TLD)?

A top-level domain (TLD) is the last component of an Internet address. This can be a well-known ending such as .com, .org or .net, but also a country code such as .de, .fr or .uk. TLDs are the highest hierarchical point in the domain name structure of the Internet.

What types of TLDs are there?

There are three types of TLDs - generic (gTLDs), country code (ccTLDs) and new gTLDs. Generic TLDs are extensions such as .com, .org, .net, .info, .biz, etc., while ccTLDs are assigned to specific countries or regions, e.g. .de for Germany, .fr for France and .uk for the United Kingdom. New gTLDs were introduced in 2014 and are generic endings such as .guru, .store, .online, etc.

Are all TLDs accessible to everyone?

No, not all TLDs are accessible to everyone. Some ccTLDs are only accessible to residents of the country or region in question. New gTLDs can be registered by anyone, but some gTLDs, such as .gov, .mil and .edu, are only available to certain organizations.

How can I register a TLD?

To register a TLD, you must contact a domain registrar. This person can help you find a domain name that is not yet registered and complete the registration on your name.

How long does it take to register a TLD?

Most TLDs are registered within a few minutes. However, if you want to register a new gTLD, this may take longer, as your request must first be reviewed and approved by the domain registry.

What does it cost to register a TLD?

The cost of registering a TLD depends on the TLD you choose. Generic TLDs usually cost less than ccTLDs, and new gTLDs can cost more.

Can I register multiple TLDs at once?

Yes, you can register multiple TLDs at once. Many domain registrars offer bulk registrations that allow you to register multiple domain names at once, saving you a lot of time and effort.

Can I transfer my already registered TLD to another domain registrar?

Yes, you can transfer your registered TLD to another domain registrar. The transfer process is usually quick and easy and can usually be completed within a few days.

How can I change my TLD to another domain name?

To change the TLD of your domain, you need to transfer your domain to another registrar and then register the new domain name. The transfer process may take a few days because you need the consent of the original registrar.

What is a wildcard TLD?

A wildcard TLD is a special type of TLD that allows you to create a single subdomain that works on multiple domain names. For example, with a wildcard TLD *.example.com, you can create multiple subdomain names such as www.example.com, mail.example.com, and blog.example.com.

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Niels Stuck

Niels Stuck has 10 years of SEO experience and is the founder of the SEO agency "WOLF OF SEO". He gained practical experience by building 20+ affiliate sites alongside his marketing studies. Finally, he wrote his bachelor thesis about the influence of SEO on Google rankings, traffic and sales development in the form of a case study. Today, he specializes in e-commerce SEO and helps more than 80 companies build a sustainable organic revenue channel through SEO. Niels advises startups, established brands and corporations in search engine optimization of their online stores and primarily focuses on data-based content strategies and link building. He shares his knowledge about SEO and online marketing in this blog, as a speaker at conferences, in podcasts and as a guest author for OMT, Forbes, Starting Up and many more platforms.

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