The top-level domain (TLD) “.gm” is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for The Gambia, a small West African country bordered by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean. TLDs are one of the domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the Internet. The top-level domain names are installed in the route zone of the name space.
The administration and technical handling of “.gm” are done by the GM-NIC, a department of the Gambian Ministry of Communication, Information, and Technology. This body is responsible for registering domains under the “.gm” TLD and ensuring they are used responsibly.
As with any TLD, to register a “.gm” domain, one must go through certain steps. Many services online offer domain registration for “.gm”. Various conditions apply for registration such as the need for a local presence or that the intended domain is in line with the laws of the Gambia.
Just like other TLDs, the “.gm” domains can be used for a variety of types of websites. Businesses that operate in the Gambia such as local ecommerce sites, news portals, or companies’ official websites may use the “.gm” TLD to show their affiliation with the country.
Additionally, governmental, educational, and non-governmental organizations based in the Gambia also use it. For example, the Government of Gambia uses “gov.gm” for its official website, and the University of the Gambia uses “utg.edu.gm.”
As of yet, “.gm” is not a popular top-level domain Worldwide. There are less than 1000 recorded “.gm” domain registrations, primarily due to the small size of the Gambia’s population, which is less than 2 million, and also due to the limited level of digital penetration in the country.
Lastly, it is worth noting that while the “.gm” TLD is intended for use by entities connected with the Gambia, it still must operate within the overall framework of the global Domain Name System and follow the guidelines set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Sources:
- “IANA — .gm Domain Delegation Data”. www.iana.org. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- “Domain registration in Gambia”. Netim. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- “Gambia, The”. CIA. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- “Internet Users by Country (2016)”. Internet Live Stats. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
