The .MED top-level domain (TLD) is a general TLD that is currently managed by HEXAP SAS, as per ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) policy. Based on the information provided by WHOIS, an internet record listing service, .MED TLD was delegated to HEXAP SAS in 2015. The ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation.
The top-level domain .MED was designed with the medical community in mind. Registrants include healthcare professionals, medical institutions, groups, and organizations related to the field of medicine. The .MED TLD was intended to provide a dedicated space for health information, services, or research, as it provides a more recognizable and navigable domain suffix for those searching or referencing medical content.
However, It is important to note that the .MED TLD does not provide any implied trustworthiness or verification of the medical information presented. Online health information should always be analyzed critically. Although a verified .MED TLD can reliably indicate a connection to the medical field, it does not guarantee accurate or trustworthy content. Consumers are advised to consult medical professionals and rely on verified sources like government health websites (e.g., CDC, NIH) or trusted health organizations for health information.
For example, “hospitalname.med” could be a domain used by a hospital. Similarly, “drsmith.med” could be utilized by a doctor for their personal professional page or a blog. A pharmaceutical company could also use “.med” for a new health product site like “newdrug.med”. Medical schools, research institutions, and healthcare non-profits could also have a .MED domain.
The domain .MED adds a layer of specificity that helps identify the nature of the content, making web addresses more intuitive for users — a principle referred to as “semantic transparency”. It is part of a larger trend within the Internet towards specialized TLDs, known as General TLDs (gTLDs). Alongside .com, .net, .edu, and company-specific endings such as .google, .MED is a more recent addition to this increasingly diversified web structure.
“HEXAP SAS – ICANNWiki.” https://icannwiki.org/HEXAP\_SAS.
“About .med domain names – Google Domains.” https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6051473?hl=en.
“Relevance and Use of .med Domain Name in the Digital Presence of Medical Schools – Telemedicine and e-Health.” https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/tmj.2020.0413.
“.med Domain | Register your .med domain – GoDaddy.” https://www.godaddy.com/tlds/med-domain.
“TLDs and Core Internet Infrastructure.” https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2017/tlds-and-core-internet-infrastructure/.
