While browsing the internet lately, you may of seen some new types of domains emerging.
Huh?? What do you mean new domains??
What I mean is domains like .com .net .gov .edu. These are the most common endings to a web address we see on the internet. New top-level domains like: .football .healthcare .guitars .yoga .tech are making an appearance on the world wide web.
First, lets begin with some background knowledge on a URL like <http://google.com>
- 'http://' - Indicates the "protocol" being used to send and receive data. In this case it's Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Protocols are standard formats for digital communication, just like how postal addresses are written on envelopes. Other protocols include FTP (files) and SSH (server commands).
- 'google' - Specifies the server or "second level domain" to be communicated with. Each web server has an IP address associated with it. In this instance Google's is 74.125.192.138. Type in http://74.125.192.138 and you'll still land at Google! It's like Google's phone number but for a website.
- '.com' - The "top level domain" or "root zone," acts as a phone book for all of the .com servers in a process known as Domain Name system (DNS). Surprisingly there is actually a table out there that matches hostnames (google) to IP addresses, it really is that simple!
Who issues top-level domains?
The internet is actually ran by a few councils of benevolent wizards. For example, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) meets in circles regularly to discuss Request for Comments (RFC) about how the internet should work!
In the case of top-level domains, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG) and Verisign work in tandem to provide infrastructure for root serves.
So why are new domains assigned?
New top-level domains are designed to foster competition, consumer choice, and innovation in the domain name industry.
How have domains originally been used?
Like we mentioned before, the domains we are familiar with categorize organizations (.com .gov .edu .net) and even countries (.uk .us .ca). People have purchased domain names in hopes that corporations would want to buy the rights to them. Because of this it is really hard to find good domain names these days!
What are people using these new domains for?
New domains are actually building better brands. It creates one huge benefit for your brand and creates recognition to what your brand is all about. For example, Peerless Tech Solutions. Currently our web address is www.getpeerless.com, most people would have no idea what Peerless is or what we even do! But if our address was www.getpeerless.tech they would have a better understanding!
So while it seems odd and kind of crazy, these new domains are a new way of marketing and brand awareness. New domains create unique, personal websites within seconds using the power of artificial intelligence.
