Top-Level Domain (TLD) refers to the last segment of a domain name – the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. Examples include .com, .org, .net, .gov, .edu and .mil. However, it appears that there is a misinterpretation in your question in terms of “SELECT”. “SELECT” is not a recognized TLD, instead, it is a command used in SQL (Structured Query Language) to retrieve data from a database. The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages the assignment of TLDs, and as of this writing, “SELECT” is not a TDL sanctioned by ICANN.
Nonetheless, to provide further clarity, there are various types of TLDs which fall under certain categories such as gTLDs (generic top-level domains), ccTLDs (country code top-level domains), and sTLDs (sponsored top-level domains).
1. gTLDs: These are the most common types and include .com, .net, .org, etc. The .com TLD is by far the most commonly used and globally recognized. It’s primarily for commercial purposes but is open for anyone to register.
1. ccTLDs: These represent specific geographic locations. For instance, .uk represents the United Kingdom, .fr is for France, .us for the United States, etc.
1. sTLDs: These are sponsored by private agencies or organizations who establish and enforce rules restricting the eligibility to use the TLD. Examples include .gov for U.S. government agencies, .edu for educational institutions, and .mil for the U.S. military.
In 2012, ICANN started a new program to implement the creation of new generic TLDs. This New gTLD Program expanded the internet’s naming system to include new opportunities for generic names (nTLDs, or new top-level domains), such as .club, .shop, .blog, and maybe in the future, .select could be a new TLD.
Keep in mind that TLDs can significantly impact a website’s SEO. Google has clarified that it uses top-level domains as a signal for geotargeting content (in the case of ccTLDs). It’s also worth mentioning that, despite any technical SEO impact, TLDs can influence user perception. For instance, a .gov domain could convey a sense of authority, influencing click-through rates from search engine results pages.
Reliable sources:
- ICANN’s TLD Application System (TAS): icann.org
- ICANN’s New gTLD Program: newgtlds.icann.org
- gTLD Verified Domains List from IANA: data.iana.org
- “How Google uses ccTLDs”; Google Search Console Help: support.google.com
- Zineb Ait Bahajji, trends.builtwith.com
Please note that the above answer has been composed using the information from these reliable and recognized sources.
