The top-level domain (TLD) in Internet terms stands at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet. The top-level domain names are installed in the root zone of the name space. For instance, in the domain name www.example.com, the top-tier domain is “.com”.
The .CANON TLD refers to a domain that is brand-based. According to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the sponsoring organization for this TLD is Canon Inc., a renowned multinational corporation that specializes in the manufacture of imaging and optical products like cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, and printers, among others. It was first registered on February 5, 2015.
Like many corporations today, Canon has registered a TLD using its brand name, as a part of enhancing its digital branding, marketing, and communication strategies. It has been recognized that using a brand-based TLD can lead to higher search engine ranking, stature, relevance, and trustworthiness.
According to StatDNS, as of February 2022, .CANON domain does not have any recorded website connection which may mean that Canon Inc. is yet to implement its use or it is being reserved for internal purposes.
A number of corporations have also used their brand names for their TLDs. One such example is the tech giant, Google, which uses the .google TLD. By launching its TLD, Google has been able to fully control their domain name space imputing more trust to its users.
Others are Barclays, with the .barclays domain, and BMW with the .bmw domain. These domains not only improve the ease of customer recognition, but they also enhance security, thus protecting customers from phishing attacks.
The main source of information about TLDs, including .CANON, is the IANA Root Zone Database. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization that supervises internet address assignment, manages IANA.
Other sources include corporate websites like that of Canon Inc., and StatDNS, an internet DNS research organization. For specific information on the increased security and brand trust associated with branded TLDs, Cybersecurity Magazine is an invaluable resource.
In conclusion, Canon Inc., like many other global brands, has registered its .CANON TLD as part of its broader strategy to strengthen its brand’s digital presence. Although active websites have yet to be recorded using the .CANON domain, it stands as a fortress Canon can utilize for digital marketing, communication, or security purposes in the future. This can ultimately lead to increased brand trust and recognition for Canon in the competitive digital market.
References:
- IANA. (n.d.). .canon Delegation. Retrieved from https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt
- StatDNS. (n.d.). .canon Domain. Retrieved from https://www.statdns.com/tlds/
- Cybersecurity Magazine. (2018, May 30). The rise of brand TLDs and their impact on cybersecurity. Retrieved from https://www.cybersecuritymagazine.com/the-rise-of-brand-tlds-and-their-impact-on-cybersecurity/
- Canon Inc. (n.d.). Company profile. Retrieved from https://global.canon/en/corporate/profile.html
