The top-level domain (TLD) “.post” is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The domain was approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and is managed by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). It is intended to be used by UPU members, the stakeholders within the postal sector and related sectors who agree to be bound by the policies for using the domain.
Right from its inception, the “.post” TLD has grown to become a global platform for the postal sector. As explained by UPU, when they applied for “.POST” TLD, they envisaged it as a trusted, sponsored space on the Internet for the postal sectors around the world.
The “.post” domain was officially launched in 2012, and according to statistics from Nominet’s Domain Name Industry Report 2021, as of November 2021 there were over 300 domains registered under “.post”. Examples of the use of .post domain names include “info.post,” the official website of the Universal Postal Union, and “auspost.post,” the digital identity of Australia Post.
Using a “.post” domain reinforces the credibility, reliability, and connection with the global postal system of the hosting organization or individual. This TLD specifically connects the provided services or information directly to the postal services sector. This can be of significant value especially in terms of e-commerce or any online communication related to postal services.
For instance, “.post” could be used to create an internationally recognized space on the Internet for postal banking or for tracking postal packages, providing a secure channel for consumers to interact with their national post.
The domain name also offers opportunities for the development of new products or services, such as the ePostcode, a project launched by the UPU and addressing key postal stakeholders, aiming at providing a standard global addressing system.
To conclude, .post is a sponsored top-level domain exclusively used by the postal industry. Its use offers the opportunity to create a secure, trusted, and internationally recognized space on the Internet for this sector.
Sources:
- ICANN. New sTLD RFP Application. Retrieved from https://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/stld-apps-19mar04/posts.pdf
- Universal Postal Union. .POST TLD Management Policies. Retrieved from https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/files/post/upuDotPostPolicies-en.pdf
- Nominet. Domain Name Industry Report 2021 – November Update. Retrieved from https://www.nominet.uk/domain-industry-reports/
- Universal Postal Union. .post – the global postal community’s own domain. Retrieved from https://www.upu.int/en/Activities/post/-the-global-postal-communitys-own-domain.
- Universal Postal Union. UPU’s programme on Addressing and the International postal system’s role in the digital economy. Retrieved from https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/files/addressing/unit/Addressing-programme-eng.pdf.
