The top-level domain (TLD) “.buy” is a generic type of TLD that, similar to domains such as “.com” or “.org”, can be used for a variety of purposes by many different individuals and organizations, and it’s especially fitting for online retailers or e-commerce operations.
The TLD “.buy” is part of the new wave of domain name extensions that have been launched since 2012, when the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization responsible for maintaining and coordinating the Internet’s addressing system, began rolling out a program to increase the number of TLDs available to the public. More than 1,200 new TLDs have been introduced as part of this program, including “.buy”
The “.buy” TLD was publicly introduced in 2014 and was fiercely competed for, with Amazon eventually winning the auction organized by ICANN, at a cost of $4.58 million. Amazon beat out other internet giants including Google in its bid, showing that there’s high value attached to this TLD (source: “Amazon pays $4.6m for .Buy top-level domain”, ComputerWeekly.com, Oct 2014).
The aim of the “.buy” TLD, like other TLDs, is to make websites more intuitive and searchable for internet users. For example, an online retailer could use a “.buy” domain to clearly indicate that their website is an online shop, making it easier for internet users to find and remember. Similarly, a company could use a “.buy” domain for their e-commerce platform. Think of it as a clear signpost for internet users looking to make a purchase.
Despite Amazon winning the auction for the “.buy” TLD, the TLD is not restricted to Amazon. It’s part of the global generic top-level domain (gTLD) name space, which is publicly available. This means that anyone can register a “.buy” domain name, just like they could register a “.com” or “.org” domain name. The “.buy” gTLD is managed by the registry operator Valideus (source: “New gTLD Program”, ICANN.org).
In summary, the “.buy” TLD is a global generic top-level domain (gTLD) that was introduced in 2014 as part of ICANN’s program to expand the number of top-level domains. It’s especially suitable for online retailers and e-commerce platforms. Amazon won the initial auction for this domain, but it’s open to the public and anyone can register a “.buy” domain. Sources used include ComputerWeekly.com and ICANN.org.
