The top-level domain (TLD) .io is a domain name that is commonly used by technology and software companies. The .io TLD is a ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain) that is originally assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, which is commonly known as the Chagos Archipelago.
The .io domain became popular in technology circles due to the connection between “IO”, a common computing term meaning Input/Output, and the appealing brevity and uniqueness of the domain. This makes .io a desirable domain extension for startups, software companies, and online services (Webopedia). A notable example is the multiplayer browser game Agar.io, which gained popularity in part due to its catchy .io domain name.
As stated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the .io domain is administered by the Internet Computer Bureau (ICB). Despite being a country-code TLD, it is marketed as a generic TLD and is available for registration to people and entities worldwide, irrespective of residence or business location.
However, its popularity has not come without controversy. The use of the .io domain has been criticized due to the forced displacement of the indigenous Chagossian people from the Chagos Archipelago by the British government, to make way for a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago (Gizmodo). Some advocates argue that revenue from the domain should be directed towards benefitting the Chagossian people, who have been fighting for their right to return to the islands for decades.
Despite this criticism, the .io domain continues to thrive within technology circles. Forbes notes that while other new, trendy TLDs have emerged, such as .ai or .blockchain, .io remains a solid choice due to its already recognized association with tech and innovation.
While the usage policies for .io domains are similar to other domain extensions, potential users should be aware of the controversy associated with this domain. That said, for many businesses and individuals in the tech sector, the .io domain presents a unique and appealing option for their online presence.
Sources:
1. Webopedia. (2020). What is TLD (Top Level Domain)? www.webopedia.com/definitions/tld
1. IANA. (2021). .io Domain Delegation Data. www.iana.org/domains/root/db/io.html
1. Gizmodo. (2014). The Dark Side of .io: How the U.K. is Making Web Domain Profits From A Shady Cold War Land Deal. gizmodo.com/the-dark-side-of-io-how-the-u-k-is-making-web-domain-1695500932
1. Forbes. (2019). Why .io domain names suddenly became so desirable. www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2019/02/28/why-io-domain-names-suddenly-became-so-desirable.
