The .MADRID top-level domain (TLD) falls into the category of GeoTLD (Geographic Top-Level Domain) and is meant for entities, businesses, organizations, and individuals associated with the Spanish capital, Madrid. Introduced by the Comunidad de Madrid, the regional authority of the Madrid area, the .MADRID TLD is aimed at encouraging digital growth within the Madrid community, enhance the city’s presence online, and provide a distinct digital identity to those associated with this vibrant city.
A top-level domain like .MADRID becomes the rightmost label of a domain name, positioned after the last dot, for example, in www.example.madrid, .madrid is the TLD. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has the ultimate responsibility for managing these domain names.
After ICANN approved the introduction of new generic top-level domains (gTLD) in 2011, Comunidad de Madrid submitted an application for a .MADRID TLD. This application was approved in 2014, and the .MADRID TLD was officially launched on September 17, 2019. The use of this domain is subject to the review of the online content to ensure that it promotes, enhances, and is beneficial to the community of Madrid.
For the practical application of the .MADRID domain, it offers an accurate way for individuals and organizations in Madrid to identify themselves online. For instance, a business located in Madrid could use the .MADRID TLD to show their location and dedication to the Madrid community. Similarly, non-profit organizations and cultural associations can use this TLD to connect with the Madrid community.
However, to avoid misuse and to preserve the distinct identity of Madrid online, there are certain eligibility criteria and usage policies mandated by Comunidad de Madrid. While anyone can register a .MADRID domain, the content must foster the values of Madrid, comply with the Spanish legal framework, and cannot harm the image of Madrid.
This information about the .MADRID top-level domain can be found from Comunidad de Madrid’s initial proposal to ICANN, ICANN’s gTLD registry, and press releases and policy documents published by Comunidad de Madrid.
Sources:
1. “About .madrid” – ICANNWiki
2. “Delegation Record for .MADRID” – IANA
3. “The new domain .madrid begins its period of free registration” – Comunidad de Madrid
4. “ICANN Approves Historic Change to Internet’s Domain Name System” – ICANN
5. “Dot Madrid launch: the sunrise period begins” – Creanova, IP Expertise
6. “.madrid: Policies” – Comunidad de Madrid
