# gTLDs: what you should know about generic top-level domains

An internet address (domain) consists of several parts, one of which is the domain extension, also referred to as a top-level domain (TLD). There are different types of TLDs, for example, *.co.uk* is a country-specific domain. A gTLD, on the other hand, is an international extension. An example of this is, *[.com](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/domains/domain-extensions/what-is-com/ "What is .com?")*, which stands for, *commercial*, and is the most common gTLD. All TLDs are part of the [Domain Name System](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/know-how/domain-name-system/ "Domain Name System"), which is like an internet address book. But what differentiates gTLDs from other top-level domains and how are they classified?

## Country-specific and generic top-level domains

Domain extensions are divided into two categories: gTLDs and ccTLDs. Known examples of generic TLDs besides *.com* are *.net*, *.org*, and *.info*. The **ccTLDs** (cc = ‘country code’), however, are used as [country-specific top-level domains ](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/domains/domain-extensions/cctlds-all-you-need-to-know-about-country-code-domains/ "ccTLDs: list of country code top-level domains")(e.g. *.us* for the USA and *.uk* for the UK). A **generic top-level domain** covers a **thematic field** rather than a geographical field: for example, *.org* stands for ‘organisation’ and generally refers to nonprofit organisations. The *.info* gTLD lets you know that the website is of an informative nature. Unlike ccTLDs, gTLDs always consist of at least three letters. In the early days of the internet, there were only a handful of generic top-level domains. In January 1985 *.com*, *.org*, *.net*, *.edu*, *.gov*, *.int* and *.mil* as well as *.arpa* were introduced as the **first gTLDs** with the first ccTLDs following in the same year. There are now hundreds of generic domain extensions due to the gradual introduction of **new gTLDs**.

## Sponsored vs. non-sponsored gTLDs

Generic TLDs can be divided into two categories: sponsored and non-sponsored top-level domains. To obtain an internet address with a **sponsored TLD**, certain requirements must be fulfilled. These **conditions** are determined by the sponsors (companies or organisations) that are also responsible for monitoring guidelines and general management of their TLD. Some examples of sponsored domain extensions are *.gov* (for US government institutions), *.int* (for international organisations), and *.jobs* (for company job offers). The **non-sponsored TLDs**, on the other hand, are **monitored and managed centrally**. [ICANN](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/domains/domain-news/domain-registration-difference-between-icann-and-registry-operators/) Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is primarily responsible for these and works together with various partners. When the first non-sponsored TLDs were introduced, it was originally planned for them only to be purchased under certain conditions. Like sponsored gTLDs, they should denote a clear frame of reference for websites: *.com* was initially only available for companies, *.net* was intended for internet service providers, and *.pro* for professional use in various occupations. These plans, however, were gradually dropped and now **almost every non-sponsored gTLD** is **available** for individuals, businesses, organisations, etc. to use.

## Overview of traditional gTLDs

Due to the mass approval of new TLDs, there is now a large amount of generic domain extensions that is hard to overlook. For additional information about TLDs that have been registered recently, see our article on the [new gTLDs](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/domains/domain-extensions/the-new-tlds-top-level-domains/ "The new TLDs (top-level domains)"). The two tables below provide an overview of **classic generic top-level domains**, divided into sponsored and non-sponsored categories.

**.arpa** isn’t listed as a domain extension because it’s an **exception**. It was introduced in the Domain Name System as a first TLD in 1985. At the beginning it served to transmit [hostname](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/hostname/ "Hostname") conventions of the ARPANET (the internet’s predecessor) in the Domain Name System. Nowadays *.arpa* is exclusively used for technical infrastructure purposes, which is why the TLD is not available to the public and you can’t register domains using it.

### Non-sponsored generic top-level domains

<table>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Top-level domain</strong></td>
      <td><strong>Year of introduction</strong></td>
      <td><strong>(originally) intended for</strong></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.com](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/com-domain "Register .com domains")* (commercial)</td>
      <td>1985</td>
      <td>(US) Businesses</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.org](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/org-domain "Build your foundation on a .org domain")* (organization)</td>
      <td>1985</td>
      <td>Nonprofit organizations</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.net](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/net-domain "Register your individual .net domain")* (network)</td>
      <td>1985</td>
      <td>Internet providers</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.info](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/info-domain "Register your cheap .info domain")*</td>
      <td>2001</td>
      <td>Information services (but available to all)</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.biz](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/biz-domain "Register your .biz domain")* (business)</td>
      <td>2001</td>
      <td>Businesses</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.name](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/name-domain "Register your cheap .name domain")*</td>
      <td>2001</td>
      <td>Private individuals</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*[.pro](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/pro-domain "Register your cheap .pro domain")* (professional)</td>
      <td>2004</td>
      <td>Specific professions</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Tip With IONOS you can [register your domain today](https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/domain-names "Register a domain with IONOS"). Simply use the domain finder to check whether your desired address is available! You can also benefit from additional services such as a personal email address and a free [SSL/TLS wildcard certificate](https://www.ionos.co.uk/security/ssl-certificate "Buy SSL certificates with IONOS").

### Sponsored generic top-level domains

<table>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Top-level domain</strong></td>
      <td><strong>Year of introduction</strong></td>
      <td><strong>Authorised users/ intended for</strong></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.gov* (government)</td>
      <td>1985</td>
      <td>US Government authorities</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.edu* (educational)</td>
      <td>1985</td>
      <td>Organisations of the educational system (limited to US educational institutions since 2001)</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.mil* (military)</td>
      <td>1985</td>
      <td>US Military</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.int* (international)</td>
      <td>1988</td>
      <td>International organisations</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.aero* (aeronautics)</td>
      <td>2001</td>
      <td>Aviation industry</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.coop* (cooperatives)</td>
      <td>2001</td>
      <td>Cooperatives</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.museum*</td>
      <td>2001</td>
      <td>Museums</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.cat* (catalan)</td>
      <td>2005</td>
      <td>Supporters/Users of the Catalan language and culture</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.jobs*</td>
      <td>2005</td>
      <td>Company job advertisements</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.mobi* (mobile)</td>
      <td>2005</td>
      <td>For mobile-optimised websites</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.tel* (telecommunication)</td>
      <td>2005</td>
      <td>Presentation of the domain owner’s contact details</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.travel*</td>
      <td>2005</td>
      <td>People, companies, and organisations in the travel industry</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.asia*</td>
      <td>2007</td>
      <td>People, companies, and organisations from the Asian/Pacific region</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.xxx*</td>
      <td>2011</td>
      <td>Erotic/pornographic content</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>*.post*</td>
      <td>2012</td>
      <td>Members of the Universal Postal Union</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

## gTLDs: domain extensions with a history and a future

Generic top-level domains represent an important technical cornerstone for the internet and have existed since the beginning of the web. They will continue to play a major role in domain allocation in the future. It can be assumed that generic TLDs that have established themselves in the last few decades, will **also still be relevant** in the future. The amount of remaining site addresses that end in popular TLDs such as *.com*, *.org*, and *.net* is continually decreasing. The same applies to country-specific TLDs, as can be seen from the following infographics about the *.com* domain. Given the massive popularity of top-level domains like *.com*, *.info*, and *.uk*, these new alternatives have now become unavoidable.

[![Image: history of the .com-domain](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/c/csm_en-27-years-com-domain_9ce82d6833.webp "history of the .com-domain")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Infografiken/en-27-years-com-domain.jpg) history of the .com-domain [*Click here*](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Downloads/en-27-years-com-domain.pdf "History of the .com domain") *to download the infographic on the history of the .com domain*. Thanks to these new gTLDs, the most sought-after domains are now available with an alternative ending.

For many website operators, this allows them to get one step closer to their perfect domain.

Domain Check


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/domains/domain-extensions/what-is-a-generic-top-level-domain-gtld/](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/domains/domain-extensions/what-is-a-generic-top-level-domain-gtld/) for AI/LLM consumption.