The top-level domain (TLD) .AS is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean. This TLD is administered by AS Domain Registry. Introduced on July 13, 1997, the .AS domain provides a digital identity to American Samoa’s residences, businesses, and information services.
However, this TLD is not limited to American Samoa. As the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)’s database mentions, there are no specific restrictions on who can register a .AS domain, meaning individuals and entities worldwide can utilize it if they choose. Some organizations, businesses or individuals may use it for domain hacks, as ‘as’ is a word in English.
For example, Integral Ad Science, a global digital ad verification company, uses the .AS domain for its website, located at integralads.as. The company cleverly exploits the .AS TLD as part of its brand name, enhancing its unique digital identity. It’s also utilized by some tech companies such as Cmd.as or TurboTax.as as a domain hack.
While .AS is not one of the most common TLDs, it offers the potential for creative use, thanks to ‘as’ being a common word in several languages. Its overall popularity has led to a variety of websites, from professional business pages to personal blogs, using the .AS domain extension.
Information about the .AS domain can be obtained from reliable sources such as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and its Root Zone Database, among others. The AS Domain Registry, responsible for managing and overseeing the .AS top-level domain, also provides a wealth of information about this TLD, including registration statistics and processes on its official website.
In conclusion, the .AS top-level domain represents American Samoa’s digital identity, but it has broader usage due to its linguistic versatility and lack of registration restrictions. Regardless of where an entity is located, it can utilize the .AS TLD to create a unique digital presence, making this domain extension a valuable tool in the online world.
Sources:
1. Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) – Root Zone Database (root-servers.org)
2. AS Domain Registry (nic.as)
3. Integral Ad Science website (integralads.as)
4. AS Domain Registration (domainregistry.as).
