Currently, there is no top-level domain (TLD) with the extension ‘.prof’. Top-level domains are the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the Internet. They are installed in the root zone of the name space, and there are several well-known ones, including the likes of .com, .org, .gov, .edu etc.
TLDs are part of what forms a website’s URL and functions as a key part of its identity. TLDs are generally categorized into three types:
1. Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs): These consist of two letters representing a specific country or territory. Examples include .us for the United States, .ca for Canada, or .jp for Japan.
1. Generic TLDs (gTLDs): These comprise of three or more characters and are the most commonly utilized TLDs. Typical examples are .com (for commercial), .org (for organizations), and .net (for networks).
1. Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs): These are overseen by private organizations that set and enforce rules limiting their use to specific types of organizations, professions, or geographic areas.
Sources for TLD information include authoritative bodies like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which manages the domain name system, and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which maintains the official database of TLDs.
Despite the freedom to propose and register new TLDs, the process is rigorously controlled by ICANN and involves going through a strict approval process, including verification of the business plan and technology used, as well as a significant application fee. Thus, not all suggestions will become recognized and active TLDs.
The .prof domain does not currently exist in the list of approved and active TLDs maintained by IANA. However, with the proliferation of new gTLDs in recent years, it’s always possible that a ‘.prof’ domain could be proposed and ultimately adopted in the future.
In conclusion, the ‘prof’ TLD currently does not exist. Any new TLD has to be proposed, rigorously checked, and approved by ICANN before it gets recognized and active in the domain name system.
Sources:
1. ICANN, “Beginner’s Guide to Domain Names”, https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/beginners-guide-2012-12-05-en
2. IANA, “Root Zone Database”, https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt
3. ICANN, “New gTLD Program”, https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings
