The top-level domain (.MONEY) is an internet categorization descriptor that is part of the domain name system (DNS), the internet’s equivalent of a phone book. Top-level domains are the highest level of domain names in this system, which are placed to the extreme right of a domain name. They help to identify the nature and purpose of the websites that correspond to those specific domain names. Each top- level domain is managed by a specific registrar, which is an assigned organization or corporation by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
The .MONEY top-level domain is classified as a generic top-level domain (gTLD). It is used primarily by financial services companies, money-related services, and the finance vertical in general. It provides a descriptive and memorable categorization for websites, helping users understand what they can expect to find when they go to a .MONEY website.
For instance, companies wanting to have a website dedicated to financial news or stocks analysis might find the .MONEY domain suitable. Similarly, banks, investment firms, or companies providing financial advisory may opt to use a .MONEY domain. Individuals, such as financial bloggers or those offering money management tips, can also use this TLD.
The .MONEY gTLD was first introduced and established by Donuts Inc., a company that provides various domain extensions. Donuts Inc. was established in 2010 and since then, it has created and managed a wide portfolio of domain extensions, with .MONEY being one among them.
Donuts Inc. announced the delegation and commercial availability of the .MONEY top-level domain in 2015. As per ICANN records, the legal registrant of the .MONEY gTLD is still Donuts Inc., meaning the organization holds the rights to offer domains with the .MONEY extension.
In terms of usage popularity, while .MONEY is not yet as prevalent as some of the older extensions, like .com and .net, it is still a preferred choice for certain websites. The key benefit of .MONEY and other such newly introduced domain extensions is the availability of domain names. With traditional extensions like .com being so widely used, many businesses have found that their preferred domain names are already registered. In such scenarios, new extensions like .MONEY provide an opportunity to register unique and distinctive domains, while simultaneously encapsulating the essence of their services.
Please note, however, that as with any domain registration, it is essential to ensure that the use of the .MONEY domain name does not infringe upon any trademarks or other intellectual property rights. Violations can result in legal issues and consequently, loss of the domain.
Sources:
- ICANN WHOIS
- DomainsIndex.com
- Donuts.co
- Lifewire.com
