The top-level domain (TLD) “.hosting” is one of the generic top-level domain names (gTLDs) that make up a significant segment of the Domain Name System (DNS). They are used by websites to denote who it is that hosts their website material. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which manages the overall architecture of the internet, including the DNS, regulates these TLDs.
The TLD “.hosting” is tailored for businesses and individuals engaged in the website hosting industry. Domain registrars such as Namecheap, Godaddy, among others, offer this TLD. It indicates the unique selling proposition of these businesses right in the URL, increasing the transparency and recognizability of the business.
For example, if a business called XYZ corp offers hosting services, they might use the domain name “xyz.hosting”. This immediately highlights that their primary service is “hosting”, which can be exceedingly useful from a marketing standpoint. New .hosting gTLDs are recognized and indexed by global search engines like Google, making them a viable option for businesses looking to establish their digital presence (source: Google).
Many hosting companies have already embraced the .hosting TLD for their websites. For instance, “environment.hosting” is a green hosting company that specializes in providing environmentally friendly hosting services. They use the .hosting TLD to emphasize their niche within the broader hosting industry.
While introducing TLD .hosting and others, ICANN aimed to stimulate competition in the domain name market, enhance user choice, and achieve differentiation for businesses and individuals. Its implication, though, goes deeper than a mere categorization of businesses. A “.hosting” TLD gives the impression of a business that is serious about its role in the hosting industry and is dedicated to providing a unique user experience in this field (source: ICANN).
However, before opting for a .hosting TLD, businesses should consider the possible implications in terms of SEO and digital marketing. While Google assigns no intrinsic ranking advantage to these new TLDs, it considers them as gTLDs. It means their geographic targeting settings can be changed in Google Search Console, which isn’t the case with country-specific TLDs such as .us or .ca, etc. Therefore, businesses should consider their target audience’s geography before choosing a gTLD like .hosting (source: Search Engine Journal).
In conclusion, the .hosting TLD offers a specific, industry-related domain name option for businesses within the web hosting sector. It enhances the business branding, providing immediate understanding of the primary service offered by the business. Businesses, though, need to understand the pros and cons related to SEO and digital marketing before opting for a .hosting TLD.
Sources:
- ICANN (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tlds-2012-02-25-en)
- Google (https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/1347922)
- Search Engine Journal (https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-explains-how-it-handles-the-new-top-level-domains-tlds/119625/)
