The term “top-level domain (TLD)” refers to the last part of a domain name in the world of internet architecture. The most recognizable TLDs include .com, .org, .net, as well as country-specific endings like .uk or .ca. When it comes to “SOHU,” it’s essential to clarify that it is not a top-level domain but rather a domain name. More specifically, SOHU is known for being a leading Chinese internet company.
Sohu.com Inc., founded in 1996 by Zhang Chaoyang, is China’s premier online brand and indispensable to the daily commotion of Chinese internet users. According to Alexa ratings, Sohu’s global ranking is 16 as of September 2020, while in China, it ranks at 6.
Sohu offers a wide range of services including but not limited to a search engine (Sogou), multiple news platforms, gaming services, and online video content. A popular part of Sohu’s news platform includes its provision of real-time news to Chinese internet users. They provide content that users need to navigate their day, making the platform a key staple in many individuals’ daily online activity. Talk about engagement; Sohu is also home to one of China’s most extensive gaming platforms, including ChangYou.com, which is one of China’s leading developers and operators of online games.
Notably, Sohu has pioneered the Chinese internet video industry with its services like branded video content, self-produced serial dramas, entertainment shows, sports, and news. It doesn’t stop there; as an industry leader, Sohu has launched China’s first video app for both iPhone and iPad, expanding its presence across multiple platform segments.
The mentions of reliability, relevancy, and reputation in Sohu’s case are attributed to various sources like the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), which is responsible for operating and administering China’s domain name registry. Furthermore, its web traffic ranking is maintained by Alexa.
In summary, while SOHU may not indeed be a top-level domain itself, it does represent a major website and online force within one specific country’s TLD, China’s “.cn”. The success of Sohu shows how a domain name can become a recognizable and powerful online entity in and of itself.
Sources used:
1. Sohu.com Inc- About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sohu.com/about/English
1. CNNIC. (n.d.). Introduction of CNNIC. China Internet Network Information Center. Retrieved from http://www1.cnnic.cn/IDR/AboutCNNIC/AboutCNNIC/
1. Alexa. (n.d.). Top Sites in China. Retrieved from https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/CN
1. Marina Guo – EMBA2011 (2018, July). Five Things You Need to Know about China’s Online Gaming Industry. CKGSB Knowledge. Retrieved from http://knowledge.ckgsb.edu.cn/2018/07/23/digital/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-online-gaming-industry/
1. China Daily. (2012, July). Sohu pioneers Chinese internet video industry. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-07/11/content\_15573384.htm
1. Alexa. (2020, September). Sohu Competitive Analysis, Marketing Mix and Traffic. Retrieved from https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/sohu.com
