The top-level domain (TLD) “.phd” is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD), which means that it’s specifically designated to a certain community or group – in this case, people who hold a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD). TLDs are essentially the last segment of a domain name, being used to classify the domain’s affiliation or purpose, whether it’s for commercial purposes such as “.com” or for a non-profit organization with “.org”.
The “.phd” TLD is sponsored by Google LLC as documented in the listing on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) website. Google proposed this TLD in 2012 with the goal of providing a platform for academics and researchers to showcase their achievements and communicate their research. Their proposal was approved and the domain was delegated in 2014 (source: IANA).
However, this doesn’t mean that everyone with a PhD can have the “.phd” domain. According to Google’s application to The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the “.phd” domain is restricted to qualified individuals who meet Google’s criteria. It’s not currently open for general registration, meaning you can’t purchase a “.phd” domain like you could a “.com” or “.org”. As per Google’s application, it’s reserved for promoting Google products, and intend to operate “.phd” as a closed registry with domain name registrations maintained by Google for its own business purposes.
Specifically, Google has indicated in its proposal to ICANN that it sees the TLD as a way for individuals to identify themselves as holders of a PhD, and for Internet users to know that the information on the site comes from a qualified individual. However, it also borrows a caveat that the TLD will be open to abuse from those who falsely claim to hold a PhD and the Google team has given assurance of stringent checks in place to validate the educational credentials of a domain applicant (source: ICANN).
In terms of examples, as of now, there are no live sites that utilize the “.phd” domain. As stated in Google’s proposal and ICANN’s reports, this is most likely due to its restrictions on general registration and its still-nascent stage of implementation.
In conclusion, the “.phd” TLD is a specialized domain that provides a platform for those who hold doctorate degrees to share their academic achievements, provided that they align with Google’s criteria. While it adds prestige and authenticity to a website, its restrictive usage also means that it’s currently not as widespread as more commonly used TLDs like “.com” and “.org”. Every domain, regardless of its TLD, plays a vital part in how the internet is organized and navigated, and the “.phd” TLD is no different.
Sources:
- Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
- The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
