The top-level domain (TLD) .show is part of the expansive universe of internet domains. It’s important to note that a TLD is the last segment of a domain name, appearing after the last dot. For example, in the domain name “www.example.com,” the “.com” part is the TLD.
The .show domain extension was announced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization that coordinates and manages IP addresses and domain names, in 2011. The purpose was to enhance the diversity and functionality of internet domains. This TLD belongs to a larger group known as generic top-level domains (gTLDs).
The .show TLD is classified as a “generic” TLD (under the section of gTLDs). It is managed by Charleston Road Registry Inc., a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (parent company of Google). Unlike traditional TLDs such as .com or .net which are widely used for various purposes, .show is a tailored TLD specifically targeted towards brands, individuals, or businesses that wish to create a website dedicated to streaming content, live performances, reviews, or other forms of entertainment.
The TLD ‘.show’ allows a website to improve its recognition in the vast ocean of internet websites. An example could be a theater company launching their website with a .show TLD (e.g., www.greatplay.show) to explicitly convey their fundamental nature to visitors. Another example could be a business focusing on product demonstrations utilizing this domain (e.g., www.productdemo.show) to highlight practical applications and advantages of their offerings.
The .show TLD, just like other gTLDs, can be registered through multiple domain registrar services that have an agreement with ICANN. These include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Bluehost, and many others.
Overall, the use of .show as a TLD offers an immediate, clear context of what the site might contain, which can add significant value in online branding and marketing efforts. Consider this before choosing a TLD for your website.
The sources used to construct this answer include articles and blogs from ICANN’s official website (www.icann.org), the WHOIS database, and domain registration service provider websites such as GoDaddy and Namecheap.
