The top-level domain (TLD) “.coupon” falls under the category of generic TLDs (gTLDs), and more specifically, it is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD). Sponsored top-level domains are specialized TLDs with a sponsor representing a specific community served by the domain.
The domain .COUPON is primarily intended for use by entities and individuals associated with providing discounts, promotions, and e-commerce deals. The TLD was first proposed by Amazon, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies. However, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the governing body overseeing domain name allocation, had not delegated it as of the time of writing.
In terms of its feasibility as a TLD, the .COUPON domain has a clear target market. Companies or people that provide coupons and deals could benefit from a .COUPON domain. For example, a company like Groupon or RetailMeNot could use the .COUPON domain to highlight their discount offerings more clearly.
Consumers searching for coupons would instantly understand the function of a .COUPON website, which would potentially increase click-through rates and traffic. Unlike the traditional .COM or .NET, the .COUPON domain is highly specific and clearly indicates the website’s purpose. An example of a hypothetical URL could be www.electronics.coupon, which would clearly represent a website dedicated to providing discounts for electronic goods.
However, it is important to note that as of now, the delegation status of .COUPON has not been confirmed by ICANN. In the TLD ecosystem, various factors influence the delegation and approval of a proposed TLD, including demonstrating the potential benefit for rightful parties, making an economic case, and ensuring that it does not infringe on any intellectual or commercial rights. As a result, while the .COUPON domain concept has potential in terms of marketing and user familiarity, its official introduction into the TLD ecosystem is still uncertain.
Regarding your request for providing sources, it is challenging to source a domain name (.coupon) that has not been officially delegated by ICANN. However, information regarding gTLDs and their potential use can be referenced from ICANN’s official website. Furthermore, sites such as Statista and Verisign’s Domain Name Industry Brief Archive provide industry information for other active TLDs.
In summary, while the .COUPON domain has a clear target audience and potential utility, its official delegation is up to the discretion of ICANN. The potential benefits and value of this specialty domain can be looked to in similar existing domains, such as .sale, .deal, and .discount, which serve somewhat similar audiences but are not a perfect match for the potential specificity of .coupon.
References Informations:
1. ICANN’s Indexed List of Current ICANN Generic Top Level Domains: www.icann.org/resources/pages/TLDs
2. Verisign’s Domain Name Industry Brief Archive: www.verisign.com/en\_US/domain-names/
3. Statista information on domain names: www.statista.com/statistics/263036/global-market-share-of-selected-top-level-domains/
