Generic top-level domain definition
A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is the part of a web address that comes immediately after the last dot and is not tied to a specific country or territory. Early gTLDs included .com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, and .mil, which were introduced in the 1980s to label commercial, nonprofit, network, academic, government, and military sites.
See also: country code top-level domain, domain
How gTLDs are organized today
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) — the body that oversees the Internet’s domain-name system — still manages the original “legacy” endings but has added several new categories:
| Group | Examples | Who can register? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | .com, .xyz, .online | Anyone | Most common for businesses and personal sites |
| Sponsored (sTLD) | .gov, .edu, .bank | Limited to eligible organizations | Registration rules enforced by a sponsor |
| Geographic (GeoTLD) | .nyc, .berlin, .africa | Often local residents or entities | Highlights a city or region |
| Brand | .google, .apple | Brand owner only | Used for closed corporate ecosystems |
Why gTLDs matter
- Branding and memorability. A short, relevant ending (like .shop for e-commerce or .tech for a startup) can signal a site’s purpose at a glance.
- Global reach. Unlike country-code domains, gTLDs have no geographic limits, making them ideal for audiences worldwide.
- Search-engine options. While Google treats most gTLDs the same for ranking, a descriptive extension can improve click-through rates.
