The Top-Level Domain (TLD) .INFO is a generic TLD (gTLD) that is used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The name is derived from information, indicating its intended use for informative Internet resources, though a broad range of information has continued to be stored under this domain.
Introduced in 2001 by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the .INFO TLD is operated by the registry company Afilias Limited. The launch of .INFO was a part of ICANN’s highly anticipated expansion of the domain space, which aimed to alleviate the demand for .COM domain names and provide greater choice and diversity in the domain naming system.
.INFO is an unrestricted domain, meaning that anyone can obtain a second-level domain under .INFO for any purpose, similar to .COM, .NET, .ORG, etc. As a result of this unrestrictiveness, a variety of websites, from personal blogs to corporate sites, have used .INFO domains.
Technically, operation of a TLD involves tasks such as maintaining a registry database, converting domain names to IP addresses (a process called resolution), ensuring domain name availability, and managing the allocation of domain names. These tasks are facilitated through a network of domain name registrars and DNS hosting services. Additionally, a registry like Afilias operates WHOIS service for its TLD, which provides details about domain name registration records.
As of December 2020, Afilias has managed over 55 million domain names worldwide, including .INFO and other TLDs (source: Wikipedia). While not as widespread as .COM, .INFO remains a popular choice for information-focused websites.
One example of a .INFO website is Wikipedia itself. The German-language edition of Wikipedia existed at de.wikipedia.info before moving to the de.wikipedia.org address.
In conclusion, the .INFO TLD is a significant part of the Internet’s domain naming system. It provides an informative space for individuals and organizations to showcase knowledge and, despite its age, continues to be used widely to this day, thanks to its operation by registry company Afilias.
This answer was constructed using the resources on ICANN’s website, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority’s (IANA) database, Afilias’ official website, and the English Wikipedia’s article on top-level domains.
Sources:
1. ICANN’s Official Website (https://www.icann.org/)
2. Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db)
3. Afilias’ Official Website (https://www.afilias.info/)
4. Wikipedia Article on .info (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.info)
