The top-level domain (TLD) .MEMORIAL is a personalised cyber space dedicated to the memory of a loved one or an event. It was officially delegated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and is managed by the domain registrar, Dot Vegas, Inc.
As referenced by ICANN (2014), top-level domains, or TLDs, are one of the domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the internet. The top-level domain names are installed in the root zone of the name space. The .MEMORIAL TLD, like many others, is classified under the generic top-level domains (gTLDs) category. Unlike traditional TLDs like .com, .edu, .net, etc., the newly-released gTLDs are more descriptive and industry-specific, which provide a more personalised and distinctive online identity.
According to Dot Vegas, Inc., the .MEMORIAL domain extension provides a unique and poignant opportunity for individuals, families or organisations to create a memorial to honor and remember the departed. From a digital memorial stone or a comprehensive memorial website, there are countless ways to utilize a .MEMORIAL domain.
For example, consider a dovecote.memorial, a webpage dedicated to remembering a historic park’s dovecote that was demolished. The website could document stories related to the dovecote, photos and people’s nostalgic experiences and memories. Additionally, an individual can also honour a loved one through a digital memorial like janedoe.memorial. It can be a place to gather Jane’s life milestones., including photos, videos and shared anecdotes from family and friends. Furthermore, non-profit organisations like veterans.memorial can use these domains to host a tribute to the brave hearts who served their country, while public disasters or tragic events could also be remembered with pages like 911.memorial.
A report by Statista (2021) reveals that there are 364 .MEMORIAL domains worldwide – a testament to the growing popularity of these special online memorials. These sites provide comfort and commemoration in a way that is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, to anyone around the world.
Furthermore, according to Vivid Digital (2020), the role of gTLDs like .MEMORIAL in SEO has been contested in the past. But Google has confirmed that, while traditional gTLDs like .com and .net may not directly affect search rankings, new gTLDs provide a valuable opportunity to register domain names that provide additional context to users and can create a memorable branding offshoot.
In conclusion, the .MEMORIAL TLD is a powerful tool to honour, remember and pay tribute to loved ones and events, offering a global platform for sharing memories and stories in a personal and engaging way.
Sources:
1. ICANN. (2014). New gTLDs. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
2. Dot Vegas, Inc. (2017). .MEMORIAL Domain Name.
3. Statista. (2021). Leading top level domains worldwide.
4. Vivid Digital. (2020). The Role of Top-Level Domains in SEO.
