Prudential is not recognized as a top-level domain (TLD) according to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). The IANA is a department of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that is responsible for coordinating some of the key elements that keep the Internet running smoothly. HCANN is a not-for-profit partnership of people from all over the world dedicated to keeping the internet secure, stable, and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the internet’s unique identifiers.
The IANA officially maintains the list of valid TLDs under its Root Zone Database, a publicly accessible resource where one can find details on TLDs, including gTLDs (like .com, .net, .org), ccTLDs (like .us, .uk, .ca) and new TLDs, which include brand names. As of now, Prudential is not officially listed as a TLD in the Root Zone Database.
However, through ICANN’s new gTLD program, it is technically possible for brands and organizations to apply for domain extensions bearing their name. An example of this is .google, which is an active TLD owned by Google, Inc. Other companies like Barclays and Canon also own the .barclays and .canon TLDs respectively. These are often referred to as ‘dotBrand’ TLDs, and they are used for a variety of purposes, primarily around branding and customer trust.
But until now, there has not been any record or update regarding ‘Prudential’ applying for or having been granted a TLD. This is based on the accessible gTLD Current Application Status that is maintained by ICANN, which is a live repository of the progression of each new gTLD application from initial submission through delegation.
Therefore, “.prudential” is not currently a top-level domain. It’s also important to know that obtaining a brand name as a TLD is not a simple process. It requires passing several evaluation stages, a high application fee, and compliance with many requirements, all of which are meant to preserve the security and stability of the internet’s domain name system.
All the information shared in this response has been obtained from the following reputable and official sources:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers: https://www.icann.org/
2. Root Zone Database by IANA: https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db
3. gTLD Current Application Status by ICANN: https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/application-results
4. ICANN new gTLD program: https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings
