The top-level domain (TLD) .RIO is an Internet extension representing the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is a web space that aims to boost the local digital economy, create a unique identity for businesses and people connected with the city, and amplifying the city’s national and international presence.
Top-level domains are the highest level in the domain name system structure on the Internet. Examples of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are .com, .net, .edu and so on. However, .RIO is a geographic TLD (geoTLD), a specialized top-level domain class that represents geographical, geopolitical, ethnic, or cultural communitiess on the Internet. Examples of other TLDs in this category include .nyc (New York City),.berlin (Berlin), or .london (London).
The .RIO domain was officially launched in 2014 and it’s managed by Empresa Municipal de Informática SA – IPLANRIO, the city’s Information Technology Company. According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) which oversees the internet’s top-level domain space, the .RIO domain aims to establish a link with the locality of Rio de Janeiro and its community both locally and globally. .RIO domains can be registered by individuals, businesses, and organizations that maintain a relation with the city of Rio, upholding its image, and helping in the promotion and economic development of the city.
The use of .RIO enables businesses, organizations, or individuals to proudly display their association with the city in their web address. It helps them to be easily discovered by people all over the world who are seeking information or services related to Rio de Janeiro. For instance, a local business in Rio could use this TLD to localize their services and cater to a more specific audience.
Several platforms provide the opportunity to register for a .RIO domain, such as GoDaddy, Register.com, or Network Solutions. However, purchasing a geoTLD like .RIO might not be as straightforward as other generic TLDs. There could be additional eligibility requirements, for instance, the registrant might need a physical presence, provide business or personal identification relating to the geographic location.
Sources:
1. ICANN (https://www.icann.org/resources/agreement/rio-2014-12-08-en)
2. IplanRio – Empresa Municipal de Informática (https://www.rio.rj.gov.br/web/iplanrio)
3. GoDaddy (https://uk.godaddy.com/domainsearch/find?isc=gofd1001aj&tmskey=&domainToCheck=rio)
4. Register.com (http://www.register.com)
5. Network Solutions (http://www.networksolutions.com)
