The top-level domain (TLD) .az belongs to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Top-level domains are the highest level of domain names on the internet. They are developed and controlled by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Extensions like .com, .net, .org, and country-coded top-level domains (ccTLD) like .fr for France, .au for Australia, and .az for Azerbaijan, are all examples of TLDs.
Officially assigned to Azerbaijan by ICANN, the .az domain extension is managed by the Azerbaijan Communications and High Technologies Ministry. It was introduced and delegated to this country in 1993. Websites with a .az domain are intended for use by individuals, businesses, and organisations that are based in, or have strong ties with, Azerbaijan.
Using a .az domain name could assist businesses or individuals who are seeking to expand or protect their brand within Azerbaijan. It’s not only a professional way to present a web presence within the Azerbaijani market, but it also signals to Azerbaijani web users that the website is intended for them.
There are several domain types under .az, including .com.az, .net.az, .int.az, .gov.az, .org.az, .edu.az, .info.az, .pp.az, and .mil.az. Notable examples of .az websites include www.president.az, the official website of the President of Azerbaijan and www.gov.az, the official portal of the Government of Azerbaijan.
To obtain a .az domain, one must go through a registration process, typically serviced by various domain name registrars. Some registrars require that an individual or business registering a .az domain has residence or a business representation in Azerbaijan or trademark rights for the name they wish to register.
References:
1. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) website is a reliable source for information about top-level domains.
2. The official website of Azerbaijan Communications and High Technologies Ministry also provides information about the acquisition and management of .az domains.
3. For details on how .az is essentially used in Azerbaijan, browsing popular .az websites like www.president.az and www.gov.az gives a perspective.
4. A substantial source to learn about domain registration process for .az is through domain name registrars’ websites that offer such service.
It’s crucial to remember that regulations and procedures may vary from registrar to registrar. Always refer to the specific terms and conditions set by individual domain registrars.
