The top-level domain (TLD) is the final segment of a domain name – it’s the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. TLDs are primarily categorized into two types: generic TLDs (gTLD), such as .com, .net, .org, and so on; and country code TLDs (ccTLD), which are specific to a country, region, or territory (e.g., .us for the United States, .uk for the United Kingdom).
The TLD “.ALLY” does not appear to be a recognized or active TLD as of date. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is responsible for managing and coordinating the DNS to ensure that every address is unique and that all users of the Internet can find all valid addresses, provides an updated list of all active and approved TLDs. As per the ICANN’s TLD list, there isn’t a TLD called “.ALLY” listed.
Considerations for new TLDs are typically rigorous, as they go through a comprehensive evaluation process. ICANN has a detailed New gTLD Program, initiated in 2012, that allows for the introduction and potential approval of new gTLDs. So, theoretically, “.ALLY” could become a new TLD in the future if it passes through several stages, including application, initial evaluation, objection & dispute resolution, and contracting (ICANN New gTLD Program).
There’s a standing opportunity for various organizations—whether commercial, non-profit, community-based—to apply for new gTLDs, provided they meet the criteria put forth by ICANN. These could encompass brands (.google, .amazon), communities (.club, .garden), location or geographic-based (.nyc, .london), or generic term (.car, .health). The objective is to increase competition, innovation, and inclusion in the domain name space; however, the potential for a new TLD like “.ALLY” would rely heavily on the unique proposition, justification for need, and proposed benefits it could deliver to internet users (Erickson, M., & Kretschmer, M. (2018). An economic review of new gTLDs program: Competition in the domain name market).
To conclude, while the TLD ‘.ALLY’ currently does not exist, there is a process set forth by ICANN, which may potentially allow for the creation of such a TLD in the future on a needs-basis and provided it adds value, innovation, and inclusion to the global community of internet users.
Sources:
- ICANN’s TLD list: https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt
- ICANN New gTLD Program: https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/overview
- Erickson, M., & Kretschmer, M. (2018). An economic review of the new gTLDs program: Competition in the domain name market. Journal of Cyber Policy, 3(1), 40-64.
