The top-level domain (TLD) that is represented by .CH is primarily associated with Switzerland. In computing and internet infrastructure, a TLD refers to the last segment of a domain name, which follows after the final dot. In this case, the .CH stands for Confederatio Helvetica, which is the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation.
The .CH TLD was introduced in 1987 and is administrated by SWITCH, a Swiss foundation that specializes in information technology, and more specifically, internet security and digitalization processes. SWITCH is the official registry managing the .CH and .LI (Liechtenstein) domain names since the inception.
According to a 2021 report from Domain Name Stat, the .CH domain ranks as the 12th most popular country TLD, behind leaders like .CN (China), .DE (Germany), and .UK (United Kingdom). Based on the report, there are more than 2.1 million registered .CH domains. These registrations offer a snapshot of the digital footprint of Switzerland, a nation globally recognized for its contributions to technology and digital innovation.
A significant benefit of .CH domains is their trust factor. The .CH TLD is associated with Switzerland, a country known for its reliability, stability, and high quality. This reputation can influence how end-users perceive websites adopting this TLD.
Examples of popular websites using the .CH domain include “sbb.ch,” the official website of the Swiss Federal Railways, and “bluewin.ch,” a widely-used Swiss news and email portal. Additionally, many Swiss universities, such as the University of Zurich (uzh.ch) and ETH Zurich (ethz.ch), employ the .CH TLD for their official websites.
Sources:
1. “Data & Analytics.” Domain Name Stat. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://domainnamestat.com/.
2. “History.” SWITCH. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.switch.ch/about/history/.
3. Federal Statistical Office (FSO). “Internet usage in households.” Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/industry-services/surveys/uset.html.
Please note that while .CH is broadly used for Swiss-associated sites, it does not exclusively suppose a website operator or owner is based in Switzerland. In some cases, non-Swiss organizations or individuals may opt to use a .CH domain for a variety of reasons, including availability or strategic branding considerations.
