The TLD, or top-level domain, refers to the last segment of a domain name that follows the final dot — essentially, it is the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the internet. The .PRO TLD is one such domain, specifically designed for licensed professionals and business entities from a range of industries such as medical, legal, and financial services.
The .PRO domain was officially launched in June 2004 and is operated by the Registry Services Corporation (RegistryPro). This information is affirmed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit organization that oversees the allocation and coordination of internet domains around the globe.
Initially, the .PRO TLD was supposed to have restricted availability. As noted by ICANN, it was mandated that only people or entities that had been credentialed by authorized entities — such as doctors, architects, engineers, accountants, and lawyers — were eligible to register a .PRO domain. This was deliberately designed to give consumers an additional level of assurance when they visited a .PRO website: the domain itself was intended to imply a degree of professional credibility.
However, by 2015, the .PRO TLD was officially made accessible to all interested buyers regardless of their profession. RegistryPro was sold to Afilias in 2012, which in turn, updated the guidelines regarding .PRO domain registration, hence opening the domain to anyone around the world. This information can be verified directly from Afilias, the world’s second-largest domain registry.
There are benefits to using a .PRO domain. For professional businesses, it conveys a higher level of trust to consumers, implying that the website is run by a recognized professional in their field. Furthermore, some businesses use this domain to distinguish their ‘professional’ range of services or products. One good example is Adobe, with its Adobe Acrobat Pro product range — a set of tools that offer more advanced features than their basic offerings, targeting professional users who need more functionality.
However, it’s important to remember the potential drawbacks of such a domain. As its usage was originally restricted to certain professionals, the broader public might not be familiar with it, potentially leading to confusion or a lack of recognition.
In conclusion, the .PRO TLD is a versatile choice that can significantly benefit professionals and businesses looking to establish greater credibility in their field. However, as with any domain, it comes with its considerations and suitability depending on the specific circumstances a user or entity might have.
Sources:
1. ICANN – https://www.icann.org/
2. Afilias – https://www.afilias.info/
3. Adobe – https://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro.html
