The top-level domain (TLD) “.melbourne” is a geographic, community-focused TLD intended for the use of individuals, businesses, and organizations primarily located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Domain names ending in .melbourne are available to specific individuals, organizations, or businesses that have a connection to Melbourne. It offers a clearly identifiable connection to the city, making it an appealing option for local businesses, organizations such as tourism or government bodies, and individuals wishing to establish their connection to Melbourne within an online context.
This TLD was approved and delegated by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the organization that coordinates and oversees the internet’s global domain name system. The .melbourne TLD was officially launched in 2014, as part of the new wave of local geographical gTLDs initiated by ICANN. The administration of .melbourne is overseen by ARI Registry Services and the State Government of Victoria, under a joint venture called Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office.
By using a .melbourne domain, local businesses can boost their branding by emphasizing their connection to the community. They can also aim for better results in location-based search queries, potentially driving more targeted, regional traffic to their sites.
For instance, visit.melbourne is the official tourism website for Melbourne, using the unique .melbourne domain to consolidate its presence as the definitive online hub for visitors to Melbourne. Similarly, artscentre.melbourne stands out as a beacon for culture and arts enthusiasts, securing a domain that directly reflects their geographic location and its culturally rich offerings.
Furthermore, the .melbourne TLD includes provisions for domain name dispute resolution, based on ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. This means that cybersquatting (registering, selling, or using a domain name with the intent of profiting from someone else’s trademark) can be effectively managed and combated.
Sources of information included ICANN’s TLD Application Details (icann.org), ARI Registry Services website (ariservices.com), official tourism website for Melbourne (visit.melbourne), and the Arts Centre Melbourne site (artscentre.melbourne).
