The top-level domain (TLD) ‘.LAW’ is a unique internet space designed explicitly for credentialed lawyers and authorized legal institutions worldwide. A TLD refers to the last segment of a domain name – the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. For instance, in www.google.com, ‘.com’ is the TLD. With a vast number of TLDs available, ‘.LAW’ specifically helps legal professionals distinguish their online presence.
Sources like the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) confirm existence of this TLD. ICANN, a nonprofit organization responsible for the coordination of the maintenance and procedures of several databases for unique identifiers on the internet like domain names, controls the ‘.LAW’ TLD under the new generic TLD program (ngTLD).
According to Minds + Machines (an ICANN accredited domain name registrar), the ‘.LAW’ extension is part of a new generation of domain extensions and was launched in 2015. Only registered lawyers and law firms can register this domain. This stringent authentication process guarantees that each website ending in ‘.LAW’ is officially associated with legal professionals or entities. That way, users can trust the information provided on such websites for accuracy and legitimacy.
An example of a ‘.LAW’ domain is www.dui.LAW, which belongs to an Atlanta firm specializing in DUI cases. This domain name directly communicates the firm’s area of expertise. Another is www.salenger.LAW belonging to Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, a personal injury law firm.
Furthermore, for lawyers and law firms, having a ‘.LAW’ domain not only bodes well for their digital branding but also works positively for their SEO strategy. According to a study by GlobeNewswire, domain names that match the intent of a search query perform better in search rankings. For instance, if a user searches for ‘DUI lawyer’, there’s a higher chance that a domain like ‘www.dui.LAW’ would rank higher in the search results.
Thus, the ‘.LAW’ TLD serves as an exclusive, trusted domain space for the legal community. It enhances online visibility, contributes to digital branding strategies, and offers assurance for users seeking legal services.
Sources:
1. ICANN – Introducing New Top-Level Domains (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program)
2. Minds + Machines – The Outcome ICANN50 and the ‘.LAW’ Domain (https://mmx.co/the-outcome-icann50-and-the-law-domain/)
3. GlobeNewswire – .LAW Domains Are Ranking More Frequently On Page One In Google Search Results (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/08/20/1903852/0/en/LAW-Domains-Are-Ranking-More-Frequently-On-Page-One-In-Google-Search-Results.html)
