The top-level domain (TLD) “.soccer” is a generic TLD (gTLD) found within the global Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS system organizes information on the internet by domain names. These domain names, such as “.com,” “.org,” and “.gov,” help users browse the internet more efficiently. Generic top-level domains like “.soccer” serve an integral function in the identification of websites from a particular niche or industry, enhancing navigation and search efficiency.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) maintains the system of splitting TLDs into multiple categories— country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), generic TLDs (gTLDs), sponsored TLDs (sTLDs), and infrastructural TLD (iTLDs) for operational stability and continuity. The “.soccer” TLD falls under the category of gTLDs, which encompasses a significant number of functional specializations specific domains like “.com” or “.org” and numerous newer ones like “.design”, “.global”, “.autos”, among others (ICANN, 2012).
Donuts, a domain name registry, introduced the “.soccer” domain name in 2015 to provide a dedicated platform for the global soccer community. This TLD offers soccer teams, clubs, enthusiasts, coaches, and players a customizable digital space to connect, share, and promote their passion for soccer (The Domains, 2015). As of December 31, 2021, there were 4698 registered “.soccer” domains globally (nTLDStats, 2022).
Some examples of active websites using “.soccer” TLD include “training.soccer,” “skills.soccer,” and “fantasy.soccer.” These sites utilize the “.soccer” domain to provide specific services like soccer skills training, coaching services, and fantasy soccer games within the global soccer community.
The use of “.soccer” TLDs is also significant in search engine optimization (SEO). The “.soccer” TLD could potentially improve a website’s visibility and ranking when users are searching for soccer-related content, making it an essential tool for boosting online discoverability in this niche.
In summary, the “.soccer” TLD plays a critical role in digital identification, the organic establishment of niche communities, and visibility in the vast cyberspace.
References:
1. ICANN, 2012, “New Generic Top-Level Domains”, official page. Retrieved from https://icannwiki.org/Generic_top-level_domain
2. The Domains, 2015, “Donuts’ New gTLD .Soccer Enters EAP Today”, news article. Retrieved from http://www.thedomains.com/2015/06/10/donuts-new-gtld-soccer-enters-eap-today/
3. nTLDStats, 2022, “.soccer”, domain statistics. Retrieved from https://ntldstats.com/tld/soccer
