The top-level domain (TLD) .PHOTOS is a generic TLD (gTLD) designated for use by individuals, businesses, and organizations that cater to both professional and amateur photography enthusiasts globally. Introduced to the domain name system in 2013, the .PHOTOS TLD is managed by Donuts Inc., a leading domain name registrar specializing in new gTLDs.
Unlike country-specific TLDs such as .US or .UK, the .PHOTOS TLD, like other gTLDs, is not restricted to any geographical location or sector. Any entity or individual from any part of the world can register a .PHOTOS domain name as long as their proposed use adheres to the policies set down by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and the specific domain registrar, in this case, Donuts Inc.
The .PHOTOS TLD is designed for use by photographers, photography services, galleries, online stores selling photography equipment, and photography blogs, among others. It can also serve as an online showcase for individuals wanting to share their photo collections or portfolios.
To acquire a .PHOTOS domain, aspiring registrants must go through accredited domain registrars and their resellers. The process generally involves choosing a specific domain name and checking its availability. If the desired name is available, the registrant can then proceed to purchase, effectively securing the rights to use that domain name for a set period, usually a year, after which it can be renewed.
The .PHOTOS TLD falls into a DNS category known as gTLDs. This category also includes familiar TLDs such as .COM and .NET, as well as hundreds of others introduced in recent years, such as .BIKE, .CLOTHING, .GURU, and more. The .PHOTOS TLD and all other gTLDs are subject to ICANN’s regulations and policies.
One example of a website using the .PHOTOS domain is “sarahsmith.photos.” As with other domain names, the .PHOTOS TLD is visible in the website’s URL and can contribute to the site’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts by making it more identifiable in search results related to photography.
Sources:
1. ICANN (https://www.icann.org/)
2. Donuts Inc. (https://donuts.domains/)
3. Register.com – Understanding Domains (https://www.register.com/domain-beginner-guide)
4. Google Registry – Pick a Name (https://www.registry.google/)
