The top-level domain (TLD) “.safety” is an internet domain name extension that is classified under the category of “Generic” in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet. Top-level domains (TLDs) are the highest level of domain names in the non-root zone of the DNS of the Internet. DNS is essentially the “phonebook” of the internet, and top-level domains (like .safety) play a crucial role in organizing and categorizing the billions of web addresses that exist today (Moz, 2021).
TLDs are part of the URL that web users type into their internet browsers to visit a particular website. In the case of www.example.safety – “example” is the domain name, and “.safety” is the TLD.
The “.safety” TLD comes under the category of what’s known as a “generic TLD” (gTLD) – these are TLDs that are not tied to any specific country or locality and are open for registration to the general public. Other examples of gTLDs include familiar extensions such as .com, .net, .org, etc (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN, 2021).
Specifically, the “.safety” TLD is intended to be used by organizations and businesses in the health and safety industry – it could be used by public safety agencies, health and safety training providers, manufacturers of safety equipment, etc. It provides these organizations with a recognizable and credible domain name that clearly indicates the nature of their services or products.
As of my research, there is no specific technical difference between the “.safety” TLD and any other gTLD. The capabilities and functionalities of a “.safety” domain name would be identical to a .com or .net domain name. The choice of TLD is usually a matter of branding and marketing strategy for businesses and organizations.
Registrants of “.safety” domain names would be subject to the same ICANN policies and procedures as registrants of any other gTLDs. This includes the requirement to provide accurate and reliable contact details to their domain name registrar, and to comply with any applicable laws and regulations concerning the use and ownership of domain names (ICANN, 2021).
Sources:
- Moz. (2021). The Beginner’s Guide to SEO. Retrieved from https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo
- Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). (2021). gTLD Overview. Retrieved from https://icann.org
