The top-level domain (TLD) “.LOL” falls under the category of generic top-level domains (gTLDs). It is one of the hundreds of gTLDs approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which is the organization that manages domain names globally.
The “.LOL” TLD is a shorthand used commonly on the Internet for “Laugh Out Loud,” and it’s synonymous with humor and fun. The establishment of “.LOL” TLD is part of ICANN’s new gTLD program, initiated to increase competition and choice in the domain name space. This program was proposed by ICANN in 2008 and the first four new gTLDs were delegated in October 2013.
Uniregistry, Corp., a domain name registration company founded by domain investor Frank Schilling, manages the “.LOL” TLD. This company won the rights to “.LOL” in a private auction held by Innovative Auctions Ltd in August 2014. It beat its competitor, Google, which also applied for the “.LOL” TLD through its subsidiary, Charleston Road Registry Inc.
The “.LOL” TLD is used by individuals, businesses, and organizations that want to create a fun and relaxed online presence. This includes comedy clubs, humor websites, meme creators, and even businesses looking to inject some humor into their brand image or marketing campaigns. It provides a creative and unique way for these entities to communicate their humorous content to their audience.
Some great examples of its use include websites like “cat.lol”, a funny cat GIF site, and “kids.lol”, a Children’s Digital Content Platform with curated, family-friendly content.
However, not all gTLDs have been successful, and it remains to be seen whether the “.LOL” domain will be widely adopted or merely attract a niche audience who want to demonstrate their sense of humor.
It should be noted that registering a “.LOL” domain, like any domain, comes with some responsibility. For instance, Uniregistry, Corp., under its terms of service and anti-abuse policy, prohibits the use of its services for unlawful activities, which includes violating intellectual property rights and distributing malicious content.
Sources:
1. ICANN: New gTLD Program
https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program
1. Uniregistry Corp.: Policies & Procedures
https://uniregistry.com/legal/domain-registration-agreement
1. Domain Sherpa: Uniregistry Wins .lol – The Question Is: Will It Replace .com?
https://www.domainsherpa.com/uniregistry-wins-lol/
1. The Domains: Google Loses .LOL gTLD Auction To Uniregistry
https://www.thedomains.com/2014/08/21/google-loses-lol-gtld-auction-to-uniregistry/
