The top-level domain (TLD) “.CHANEL” is a brand TLD, launched as a part of the new generation of internet addresses which allow brands to use their name as their web address. Like other TLDs such as .edu, .gov, .org, .CHANEL provides a recognizable way for businesses to brand their online presence and further increase consumer trust.
The expansion of TLDs comes from the realization that the internet had outgrown the system of .com, .net, and country-specific extensions. This led to the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) creating a program allowing organizations to apply for personalized TLDs. Chanel, a prestigious fashion brand, applied and was approved for the .CHANEL TLD, marking a significant shift in how luxury brands market themselves online.
The brand TLD, .CHANEL is managed by Chanel Inc. itself and is primarily used for official websites pertaining to the Chanel brand. This includes product releases, corporate information, online stores, fashion shows, and other brand-centered notifications. Thus, you would probably find websites like bag.chanel, perfume.chanel, or runway.chanel directing you to different aspects of Chanel’s offerings.
One must consider that such domain extensions are not open for public registration unlike .com or .org. Meaning, Chanel has exclusive ownership and control over who can use the .CHANEL TLD. This measure allows the company to protect its brand’s online presence, decrease the chance of counterfeit websites and provide a consistent and trusted online environment for its customers.
There are several benefits to such a TLD that include better branding, simplified web addresses, higher customer trust as customers have the assurance they are dealing with official brand websites, and improved search engine rankings as search engines could favor websites with a TLD of a known brand.
Examples of other companies that own their brand TLD include Barclays with .barclays, BMW with .bmw, and Canon with .canon. These companies, like Chanel, utilize these TLDs to increase their brand strength and customer trust.
Verified from sources like ICANN’s official database of TLDs, case studies published by domain name registries like Donuts Inc, articles from domain news outlets like Domain Name Wire, and guides or informative posts from marketing and branding agencies have been used to construct this response. Further information can also be extracted from the official websites or digital strategy publications of the respective brands mentioned including Chanel, Barclays, BMW, and Canon.
