The Top-Level Domain (TLD) “.LATROBE” does not currently exist in the Domain Name System (DNS) structure of the Internet as of this writing. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization responsible for managing and coordinating the internet’s DNS, does not list “.LATROBE” as a valid or registered TLD in their Root Zone Database http://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt.
An internet TLD is essentially the last part of the URL or the email address after the final dot. For example, in the URL “www.google.com”, “.com” is the TLD. Similarly, in the email address “contact@example.org”, “.org” is the TLD. The most frequently used TLDs include “.com”, “.org”, “.net”, “.edu”, and “.gov”, but hundreds of others exist as IANA maintains a complete list of valid TLDs.
ICANN allows organizations to create new TLDs through the New gTLD Program. The organization typically requires applicants to meet several criteria and pay a substantial fee. The process is rigorous and time-consuming, often taking several years from application to implementation.
La Trobe University, located in Victoria, Australia, uses the “.edu.au” TLD for its domain. The “.edu.au” TLD is specifically designed for Australian educational institutions, similar to the “.edu” TLD used by United States-based institutions https://policy.edu.au/.
For La Trobe University or the city of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA, to acquire a “.LATROBE” TLD, they would need to complete ICANN’s gTLD application process. The organization or city would need to demonstrate its capacity to maintain an internet registry and comply with ICANN’s rules and regulations. If approved, they would then be able to distribute domains ending in “.LATROBE” at their discretion.
With the growing trend of personalizing TLDs, the value for organizations, cities, or even individuals with unique names or brands could significantly increase. For instance, Apple Inc. acquired “.apple”, as did the multinational company Google with “.google” or Amazon with “.amazon”.
This dynamic might significantly impact search engine optimization and digital marketing tactics in the future. Moreover, such customized TLDs could provide more streamlined navigation for networks of websites or the opportunity to create a cohesive online brand identity.
In conclusion, while “.LATROBE” is not a current TLD recognized by ICANN, the process exists for its creation, leaving room for the future expansion of the internet’s naming conventions.
Sources:
http://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt
https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings
https://policy.edu.au/
