A top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of a domain name, or the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. TLDs are mainly classified into two categories: generic TLDs (such as .com, .net, .edu) and country-specific TLDs (such as .us, .uk, .ca). There are over a thousand TLDs available but among them is the .city TLD, and that is the particular focus here.
The .city TLD is a new category of geographic TLDs. Introduced in 2014, this domain was created to provide an online identity for cities and regions around the world and is, as per ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), administered by Donuts, Inc. (source: ICANN, List of Top-level Domains).
The concept behind a .city TLD is to enhance the digital presence of a city. Businesses, individuals, and local governments can all use the .city TLD to identify themselves explicitly with their city and to market their connection to their city. For example, a café in San Francisco might use a domain name like www.cafedelmar.sf.city, instantly indicating its location and local relevance. Similarly, a city government might use a domain like www.wastemanagement.sf.city to provide specific municipal services information.
As observed by Radix in its 2020 global report, geographic TLDs are rising in popularity with .site, .online, .store, .tech, .uno, and .city being the fastest-growing. The .city TLD, like its counterparts, has the potential to boost a website’s SEO, since many people include the name of a city in their online searches. This can improve local visibility and lead to increased traffic for websites using a .city domain (source: Radix’s Global Domain Report, 2020).
However, it is important to note that getting a .city domain doesn’t guarantee automatic SEO benefits. Google’s official stance is that it treats new TLDs like .city as gTLDs (generic top-level domains) and they do not inherently provide ranking advantages (source: Google Webmaster Blog).
Nonetheless, the .city TLD is a powerful tool to promote local identity, with Radix (a major domain registry operator) testifying to the rising popularity of geographic TLDs. While the .city TLD might not contribute to SEO from Google’s perspective, it can help in branding and showcasing the site’s connection and relevance to the specific city.
In conclusion, the .city TLD provides an intriguing nexus of digital identity and urban affinity.
Sources:
- ICANN, List of Top-level Domains
- Radix’s Global Domain Report, 2020
- Google Webmaster Blog
