New top-level domains in 2023 are the latest trend in the domain name industry. They offer more choices and opportunities for website owners, developers, and users who want to create and find websites that stand out.
In this article, we will explain what top-level domains are, why they are being launched, what are some of the new top-level domains in 2023, and how you can register a domain name with a new top-level domain.
What are top-level domains?
Top-level domains (TLDs) are the extensions that appear at the end of a website address, such as .com, .org, or .net. They are also known as domain suffixes or domain extensions. TLDs help to categorize and identify websites based on their purpose, location, or industry. For example, .edu is used for educational institutions, .gov is used for governmental entities, and .co.uk is used for websites in the United Kingdom.
There are two types of TLDs: generic and country-code. Generic TLDs (gTLDs) are the most common and widely used TLDs, such as .com, .net, or .org. Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are specific to a country or a region, such as .us, .ca, or .eu. There are also internationalized TLDs (iTLDs) that use non-Latin scripts, such as .中国, .рф, or .السعودية.
Why are new top-level domains being launched?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the organization that oversees the domain name system (DNS) and coordinates the allocation and management of TLDs. ICANN launched the new gTLD program in 2012 to expand the diversity and choice of TLDs and foster innovation and competition in the domain name market. Since then, ICANN has approved over 1,200 new gTLDs, such as .app, .shop, or .blog.
The new gTLD program aims to benefit both website owners and users by offering more options and opportunities for creating and finding websites. Some of the advantages of new gTLDs are:
- They can help website owners to create more memorable, relevant, and distinctive domain names that reflect their brand, identity, or niche.
- They can help users to discover and access websites more easily and intuitively, as well as to identify the type, content, or quality of a website.
- They can help to increase the security, stability, and resilience of the DNS by introducing new technical standards and best practices.
- They can help to promote the diversity and inclusivity of the Internet by supporting different languages, scripts, cultures, and communities.
What are some of the new top-level domains in 2023?
In 2023, there are some new gTLDs that are launching or have already launched, offering more options and opportunities for website owners, developers, and users. Some of these new gTLDs are:
- .phd: This is a secure domain for anyone with a doctorate. You’ve earned your diploma, now show off what you can do.
- .prof: This is a secure domain for professors. Show off your teaching credentials, research, and publications with a .prof domain.
- .esq: This is a secure domain for lawyers or distinguished people. Get a .esq domain to showcase your BAR admissions, alma mater, work experience, and more.
- .foo: This is a secure domain for developers. When you’re programming, change is constant. You can use .foo for everything and anything.
- .zip: This is a secure domain for tying things together or moving really fast. Hosting content on a .zip domain means speed.
- .mov: This is a secure domain for moving pictures and other things that move. For anything that moves you, .mov is the perfect domain.
- .nexus: This is a secure domain that brings it all together. No matter what it is you’re doing online, .nexus can be your hub.
- .ing: This is a new domain that allows you to build a website in a single word, such as design.ing, edit.ing, or mak.ing. With .ing, people, businesses, and brands can express themselves in a whole new way.
- .meme: This is a new domain for memes and viral content. Whether you’re creating, sharing, or enjoying memes, .meme is the ultimate destination for internet culture.
These new gTLDs are launched by Google Registry, which is a domain name registrar that offers domains with a variety of endings that make your website stand out. Google Registry also provides security, speed, and reliability for your website, as well as tools and resources to help you get started.
How can you register a domain name with a new top-level domain?
If you’re interested in registering a domain name with one of these new gTLDs, you can visit Google Registry’s website and find a partner that offers the domain you want. You can also check the availability of our new gTLD here.
Before you register a domain name, you should consider some factors, such as:
- Purpose and audience of your website. You should choose a domain name that matches your website’s content, tone, and style, as well as your target market and customers.
- Availability and popularity of the domain name. You should check if the domain name you want is already taken or trademarked by someone else, as well as how competitive and desirable it is in the domain name market.
- The length and readability of the domain name. You should choose a domain name that is short, simple, and easy to remember, spell, and pronounce, as well as avoid using numbers, hyphens, or special characters that might confuse or mislead users.
- Security and privacy of the domain name. You should choose a domain name that is secure and trustworthy, as well as protect your personal information and identity from hackers, spammers, or scammers.
Once you register a domain name, you should also take some steps to maintain and optimize it, such as:
- Renewing your domain name registration before it expires, or setting up an auto-renewal option to avoid losing your domain name.
- Updating your domain name contact information and settings regularly, or using a privacy service to hide your personal information from the public.
- Linking your domain name to your website hosting service and email service, or using a domain forwarding service to redirect users to your website or social media pages.
- Promoting your domain name and website online and offline, or using a search engine optimization (SEO) service to improve your website’s ranking and visibility on search engines.
Conclusion
New top-level domains in 2023 are offering more choices and opportunities for website owners, developers, and users. They can help you create more memorable, relevant, and distinctive domain names that reflect your brand, identity, or niche.
They can also help you discover and access websites more easily and intuitively, as well as identify the type, content, or quality of a website.