The top-level domain (TLD) .SOY is an Internet domain name extension that’s a part of Google’s domain name registration service, Google Domains. The term “soy” translates to “I am” in Spanish, which is the purpose behind this domain name extension- it’s primarily intended for personal use by individuals wishing to identify themselves online.
The .SOY domain extension was launched by Google in 2014 and it is one of the hundreds of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) released as a part of ICANN’s program to enhance competition and promote innovation in the domain name space (source: ICANN. “New gTLD Program”). This program, which began in 2012, marked a significant expansion in the domain name system, previously limited to just a few generic TLDs (.com, .org, .net, etc.) and country-code TLDs (like .uk, .ca, etc.).
The .SOY extension offers an unique way for Spanish speakers, or those identifying with Hispanic cultures, to express themselves on the internet. For instance, a person named Juan could use the domain “Juan.soy” to create a personal blog or portfolio. Google has publicized the .SOY extension using examples like these to highlight its potential uses (source: Google Domains, “.SOY”).
However, the adoption of the .SOY extension has been relatively low compared to other new gTLDs. According to data from Domain Name Stat, as of July 2021, there were only around 1,400 domains registered under the .SOY extension, compared to over 150,000 for the .blog extension, which was also launched as a part of the same ICANN program (source: Domain Name Stat, “TLD Statistics”).
As a TLD operated by Google Domains, the .SOY extension benefits from Google’s domain registration infrastructure, which includes features like private registration, email forwarding, and DNS hosting. Google Domains also offers a simplified domain management interface, which can be a plus for individuals or small businesses with limited technical expertise (source: Google Domains, “Features”).
In conclusion, the .SOY TLD is an innovative domain name extension targeted at personal identity and self-expression, especially among Hispanic cultures. Although this extension hasn’t been widely adopted, it remains an interesting case study of the growing diversity in the domain name space resulting from ICANN’s new gTLD program.
Sources:
1. ICANN. “New gTLD Program”. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program
2. Google Domains, “.SOY”. https://domains.google/tld/soy/
3. Domain Name Stat, “TLD Statistics”. https://domainnamestat.com/statistics/tld
4. Google Domains, “Features”. https://domains.google/learn/features-overview.html
