The Top-Level Domain (TLD) .CEO is an example of an internet domain specifically designed to be used by chief executive officers (CEOs) around the world. TLDs serve the purpose of easily identifying the type or the geographical location of a website. They are the last segment of the domain name or the part that follows immediately after the last dot in a URL.
The .CEO TLD was introduced in 2014 and is managed by the .CEO Registry, a subsidiary of PeopleBrowsr, a social media marketing company. According to the proprietary website, “.CEO is the domain that connects and empowers business leaders by providing them with a distinct and authoritative presence online” (CEO Registry).
The idea behind .CEO and other similar, professional identifiers such as .ARCHI for architects, or .MED for healthcare practitioners, is to create a specific platform that connects like-minded people, here CEOs, where they can share their ideas, insights, and experiences (TechRepublic). It also adds legitimacy to a CEO’s personal brand, showcasing their identity distinctively on the internet.
Certain corporations may also choose to use the .CEO domain for their chief executives to delineate their identity from the company’s main website and allowing the top brass to have a more personal interaction with their followers. For example, Mark Zuckerberg could potentially use “MarkZuckerberg.ceo” as his personal website.
However, it is noteworthy that while generic TLDs like .COM or .NET are widely used and recognized, the usage of profession-specific TLDs like .CEO has not been broadly adopted as of yet. One of the reasons could be a lack of public awareness about these TLDs compared to the more versatile .COM or .ORG.
On the technical side, there is no difference between .CEO and other TLDs as they all function in the same manner. However, it’s critical to remember that like all TLDs, a .CEO domain must be purchased and registered with a domain registrar that is recognized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Moreover, specific terms and conditions might apply to those registering for profession-specific TLDs; for instance, you might be required to provide proof of identification as a CEO to acquire a .CEO domain.
In conclusion, the .CEO TLD offers an opportunity for CEOs to further establish their personal brands by securing a domain name that identifies and underscores their position. However, the widespread usage and recognition of these specialized TLDs, including .CEO, seem to be tempered by lower visibility and specific conditions compared to more conventional TLDs.
Sources:
- CEO Registry: https://www.nic.ceo/
- TechRepublic: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/why-ceos-need-to-conduct-online-reputation-management/
- ICANN: https://www.icann.org/
