The top-level domain (TLD) .MOBI is a generic domain which was designed specifically for the delivery of the Internet to mobile devices. It was first registered in July 2005 by the Mobi JV company, officially known as dotMobi, a consortium which included tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, and Vodafone.
The primary goal of .MOBI domain is to guide mobile users to websites that are optimized for mobile, to ensure a better, more user-friendly browsing and user experience on smaller screens. Websites using .MOBI TLD are required to produce content that meets specific technical guidelines and mobile optimization standards, designed to improve accessibility and usability on mobile devices. However, it is important to note that with the advancement in smartphone technology and the advent of responsive web design, these guidelines have become less critically enforced.
Technically, a .MOBI domain name is no different from other TLDs (.com, .org, .net) in terms of its structure and the way it operates in the Domain Name System (DNS). Like any other TLD, it is part of the internet domain name, situated to the right of the “dot”. For instance, in the domain “example.mobi”, “.mobi” is the TLD.
However, .MOBI domain does have its unique technical specifications. The .MOBI domain uses DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to increase the security of DNS data. Furthermore, the .MOBI TLD requires that the content of website complies with mobileOK Checker, a testing tool developed by W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web. It helps to check if the webpage content and design are mobile-friendly.
Despite the development of technology that allows most websites to display effectively on mobile devices, there is still an instance where .MOBI can be highly beneficial. For businesses who prefer to have a separate mobile website, .MOBI is a great choice.
In conclusion, the .MOBI TLD offers a technical framework for website producers to develop content that is suitable for mobile devices. However, whilst the .MOBI domain was initially a bold step towards improving the experience of mobile browsing, it has become less relevant due to advancements in responsive web design and mobile-first indexing by major search engines.
Sources:
1. ICANN Wiki- “MOBI” https://icannwiki.org/.mobi
2. DreamHost – “What Is a TLD (Top-Level Domain)? Everything You Need to Know” https://www.dreamhost.com/domain-names/tlds/
3. W3C mobileOK Checker https://validator.w3.org/mobile/
4. Microsoft Research – “An analysis of top-level domain (TLD) abuse” https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/www2015_cdrom_19.pdf
