The top-level domain (TLD) .SEAT is a brand TLD and is used by the SEAT automobile company. According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the governing body responsible for managing and coordinating the Internet’s Domain Name System, brand TLDs are a type of generic TLD (gTLD) that is associated with a trademark or brand name (source: “About the Program” ICANN).
SEAT, S.A, commonly known simply as SEAT, is a Spanish automobile manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 and is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The .SEAT TLD was delegated to SEAT, S.A. by ICANN on April 2, 2015 as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program (source: “New gTLD Program” ICANN, “Delegation Record for .SEAT” ICANN).
The .SEAT TLD is a brand TLD, sometimes also referred to as a .brand TLD, and is primarily used for corporate or brand identity. With this TLD, SEAT can create domain names for its various divisions, products, or promotional campaigns, like carmodel.seat or news.seat, which helps provide consistency and control over their brand’s online presence (source: “Brand TLDs vs .com (part two): How brands are using dot brand domains,” Search Engine Watch).
Under a brand TLD, SEAT also enjoys the additional security benefits of having complete control over the registration and use of its domain, helping to prevent attacks such as phishing and cybersquatting. Domains under this TLD are usually only registered by its owner, SEAT in this case, and they control who they are assigned to, and for what purpose, adding an extra layer of security (source: “Dot Brand 360” Authentic Web, “Why Brands Should Consider a .BRAND TLD” Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC).
Brand TLDs, like .SEAT, are not available for registration by the general public. Only the brand or trademark owner can register domains under a .brand TLD (source: “New gTLD Program,” ICANN).
In conclusion, the top-level domain .SEAT is a brand TLD used exclusively by SEAT, S.A., a Spanish automobile manufacturer and subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group for branding, marketing, security, and control purposes.
Sources:
1. “About the Program”. ICANN. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program
2. “Delegation Record for .SEAT”. ICANN. https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/seat.html
3. “Brand TLDs vs .com (part two): How brands are using dot brand domains,” Search Engine Watch. https://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2410749/brand-tlds-vs-com-part-two-how-brands-are-using-dot-brand-domains
4. “Dot Brand 360”. Authentic Web. https://authenticweb.com/dotbrand-360
5. “Why Brands Should Consider a .BRAND TLD”. Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC. https://www.clickz.com/why-brands-should-consider-a-brand-tld/262349/
6. “New gTLD Program”. ICANN. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program
