The top-level domain (TLD) “.online” is a generic TLD in the Domain Name System of the Internet. It is intended to be used by businesses and individuals who want to define their presence in the online market. The .online TLD is managed by Radix, a domain registry that manages and sells several other popular top-level domains.
After ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) started to implement the expansion of existing generic top-level domains in 2012, Radix applied for and won the rights to .online. Today, .online is one of the most popular new TLDs, with over a million websites using it for their online presence.
The popularity of the .online TLD can be attributed to its wide range of uses. It can be used by businesses who wish to have a domain name that clearly signifies their online presence. For example, a clothing business that sells clothes on the internet can use a .online domain to differentiate itself from a physical clothing store. Likewise, individuals who wish to create a personal blog or a portfolio can use a .online domain to emphasize that their content is available online.
The .online TLD also offers some benefits in terms of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). While Google has stated that new TLDs do not receive a direct ranking boost, some case studies suggest that websites with a .online domain have seen improved search engine rankings. This could be due to the fact that a .online domain is easy for users to remember. When users input the domain directly into the search bar, this direct traffic could potentially influence SEO rankings favorably.
Another advantage of the .online TLD is its availability. Compared to more traditional TLDs like .com or .net, there may be more domain names available in .online. This provides users with more options and allows them to choose a domain name that clearly represents their brand or themselves.
If you’re considering getting a .online TLD for your website, you can purchase one from various domain registrars. Some leading domain registration platforms like GoDaddy or Namecheap offer .online TLDs at affordable rates, and they also provide various tools to assist you in your website building journey.
Sources:
1. Radix (https://radix.website/)
2. ICANN (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/)
3. “A new study shows how new gTLDs impact SEO” – Search Engine Land (https://searchengineland.com/first-large-scale-study-how-new-gtlds-impact-seo-260811)
4. “The Definitive Guide to New Top Level Domains (TLDs)” by The Ahrefs Team (https://ahrefs.com/blog/new-top-level-domains/)
5. GoDaddy – “.online domain names” (https://www.godaddy.com/tlds/online-domain)
6. Namecheap – “.online Domain Name Registration” (https://www.namecheap.com/domains/registration/gtld/online/)
7. ICANN Domain Name Registration Data (https://lookup.icann.org/lookup).
