The Top-Level Domain (TLD) .grocery is a potential domain extension that is industry-specific for businesses, organizations, and individuals who own, operate, or are otherwise involved in the grocery industry. As of currently, the .grocery TLD is unlisted in the IANA TLD registry {Source: InterNIC (http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db)} and unavailable for public or private use.
Domains are organized from right to left, with TLDs representing the far-right portion of a URL. A domain like “example.grocery” would, therefore, depict the .grocery TLD. TLDs serve to organize the internet hyerarchy and create an easily navigatable network of specific industry, regional, or national web pages.
TLDs like .grocery can be useful for the identification and organization of websites that are industry specific. They can help a website with search engine optimization (SEO), refining web searches so businesses in the grocery industry can be found more easily by potential customers. For instance, the .grocery TLD could, theoretically, help grocery stores, online supermarkets, grocery delivery apps, etc. standout more prominently in web searches {Source: ICANN (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tlds-2012-02-25-en)}.
However, the establishment of a new TLD is a process that involves submitting an application to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The application process includes submitting a description of the planned use of the TLD, ensuring that it has sufficiently unique value, and that its implementation would not infringe upon the rights or interests of other legal entities {Source: Global Domain Division of ICANN (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/global-support/faqs/faqs-en)}.
Subsequently, ICANN’s board of directors reviews these proposals. This involves a process of public comment, objection-based dispute resolution, and examination of potential risks to the stability or security of the internet’s operation. Only after approval from ICANN can a new TLD, such as .grocery, be added to the Root Zone Database and become operable {Source: ICANN (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/responsibility-2014-01-06-en)}.
In summary, the .grocery TLD is, currently, an unestablished hypothetical domain that could offer benefits in terms of industry specificity, and improved internet navigation and marketing for businesses within the grocery industry. Its establishment would require undergoing a rigorous application and review process through ICANN, wherein the technical and legal feasibility of its implementation would be thoroughly assessed.
