The top-level domain (TLD) “.link” is a generic TLD (gTLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet. It was introduced and is currently operated by Uniregistry Corp., a domain name registration company founded by Frank Schilling, one of the largest private domain name portfolio owners in the world. Uniregistry started operations in 2014 and have managed “.link” since then.
As per ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the factor that oversees the entire domain naming system, “.link” falls into the category of generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Generic TLDs include domains such as “.com”, “.net”, “.org”, etc., and are typically used for various purposes by different entities across the web.
The “.link” TLD, like other gTLDs, is unrestricted, meaning any individual or organization can register a domain with this extension. The “.link” TLD is primarily leveraged by individuals and organizations that aim to highlight the connectivity or networking aspect of their service or product, for example, connecting people, locations, ideas, etc.
There are several examples of how the “.link” domain is used. Take the instance of ‘my.link’, which is a URL shortener service, ‘bi.link’ (Bi-Link), a global mechanical component engineering and manufacturing company. Another example would be ‘speedtest.link’, a service that allows users to test their internet speed.
More details about “.link” and Uniregistry Corp can be found on the ICANN’s site, which provides a comprehensive listing of all current TLDs, their operators, and related details. Information regarding the various types of TLDs can be found in detail on the official website of the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California, which was instrumental in the development and design of the Internet’s DNS.
Other resources include the official websites of organizations that are utilizing the “.link” TLD (such as ‘my.link’, ‘bi.link’), and sites that provide domain registration services (like GoDaddy, Namecheap), where details about the “.link” TLD registration and pricing would be available. It’s also noteworthy to mention that usage of “.link” and related domains will be subject to the same SEO evaluation as other TLDs by search engines like Google, as clarified in their Webmaster guidelines.
In summary, “.link” is a generic TLD managed by Uniregistry Corp., and is commonly used by entities that want to emphasize a networking or connection aspect in their online presence. The domain can be registered by anyone, and its usage ranges from individuals to various types of organizations worldwide.
Sources:
1. ICANN (icann.org)
2. Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California (isi.edu)
3. Uniregistry (uniregistry.com)
4. Google Webmaster Guidelines.
(Note for further information regarding the use of “.link” TLD and its relation to SEO, you may refer to the Google Webmaster Central Blog.)
