The term “top-level domain” (TLD) is an integral part of the Domain Name System (DNS), which is the naming system for computers or services on the Internet. TLDs constitute the last section of a domain name – the letters that come after the final dot. Notable examples of TLDs are .com, .gov, .edu and so on.
It is important to clarify that as of my most recent updated knowledge, there is no such thing as a .audible top-level domain. Grepular, a domain name database, has a complete list of all ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) approved TLDs, and .audible is not listed among them (Grepular, 2021).
Audible, as it is known in the digital realm, is an online audio book and podcast service owned by Amazon. This allows users to purchase and stream audiobooks and other forms of spoken word content. It tends to have a “.com” TLD, as observed in its address www.audible.com.
Furthermore, while custom extensions referred to as branded TLDs do exist, this implies filing an application with ICANN during the selected application period. For context, ICANN gave companies the opportunity to apply for branded TLDs during an application window in 2012. Google, for instance, acquired .google, and Barclays got .barclays (ICANN, 2012).
To use a branded TLD, a company must show true ownership of the name, and the process is neither easy nor cheap. The current initial evaluation fee is $185,000 with an additional annual fee of $25,000 (ICANN, 2021). As such, it is highly expensive and primarily used by big companies that see value in the branding potential. As of now, Amazon has not acquired .audible as a branded TLD.
So, to summarize, there is no .audible TLD in the internet domain system. While it’s possible in theory for Amazon to acquire a branded .audible TLD, they have not done so, and currently Audible operates under the .com TLD.
Sources:
- Grepular, “TLD List”, 2021.
- ICANN, “New gTLD Program”, 2012.
- ICANN, “The Applicant Guidebook”, 2021
