The top-level domain (TLD) .NET is one of the first TLDs on the internet and was created on January 1, 1985. As of today, it is one of the most popular and highly used in the world. This information can be verified from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) which governs the allocation and assignment of domain names.
The .NET TLD was originally intended for use by networking organizations such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or commercial network providers; the ‘NET’ portion is a shortened form of the word ‘network’. This is corroborated by an article from Lifewire which explains the history and purpose of various TLDs.
However, as the internet has expanded and evolved, the .NET TLD has been repurposed and is now used by a variety of different types of websites. It doesn’t have any specific restrictions on who can register a .NET domain name, so it’s open to individuals and organizations alike. This is confirmed by the Verisign Global Registry Services, the registry operator for .NET.
An example would be www.behindthename.net, a site specialized in the etymology and history of first names. Despite the .NET extension, the site has no specific network-related content or services.
Another example is the gaming news website www.pcgamer.net. PC Gamer utilizes the .NET TLD, even though it is not an ISP or a commercial network provider.
These examples illustrate how the .NET TLD, while originally intended for networking organizations, is now used broadly across various types of websites.
The .NET TLD operates under the registry and oversight of Verisign, as mentioned earlier. So when you register a .NET domain, you do so through various registrars that work with Verisign. These include popular ones like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Register.com.
As for its popularity, according to domain name statistics from DomainState.com, as of February 2022, there are over 13 million registered .NET domains, making it the fourth most registered TLD after .com, .tk, and .cn.
In conclusion, .NET is a versatile TLD that started with the intention to serve networking organizations but now hosts a variety of different websites, from gaming news to naming databases, maintained under the registry and oversight of Verisign.
Sources:
1. ICANN – icann.org
2. Lifewire – lifewire.com
3. Verisign Global Registry Services – verisign.com
4. DomainState.com – domainstate.com
5. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Register.com – respective official websites.
