The top-level domain (TLD) is the final part of the domain name. It comes after the “dot” in the URL and signifies under which categorization or country a domain’s information belongs. Examples of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) would be .com, .net, .org and so on, while country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) can look like .us (for the United States), .ca (for Canada), or .uk (for the United Kingdom), etc.
However, as for .SPOT, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that manages these domains shows no record of a .SPOT top-level domain. The ICANN is a non-profit organization that oversees the whole domain name system (DMS), so if there were a .SPOT TLD, it would be listed in their database. You can check the list of TLDs that ICANN manages on its official website.
There have been some applications for the use of .SPOT as a gTLD made to ICANN in the past. For instance, in 2012, Amazon and Google both inquired to use .SPOT for a range of services related to their companies. With Amazon, .SPOT would have pertained to its cloud storage options for music, photos, and files, and in terms of Google, .SPOT would have been linked to a range of its initiatives, including cloud computing and digital advertising. However, these applications weren’t accepted, and the .SPOT TLD did not enter into general data circulation.
The expansion of TLDs has occurred to allow flexibility and innovation in the internet sphere and to cater to the growing demand for domain names. New generic top-level domains (ngTLDs) such as .app, .blog, etc., have added to the diversity of domains. But, due to legal, business, or administrative considerations, not all applications for a new TLD because it’s subject to approval by ICANN as per its New gTLD Program.
You can check any future changes or additions to the list of TLDs authorized by ICANN, including any subsequent .SPOT TLD, from the ICANN’s official site and their regularly update TLDs list (/tlds\_list/).
In conclusion, at present, .SPOT does not stand as an active top-level domain. However, as with the nature of the Internet and domain naming structures, this could change in the future. So, it’s always best to frequently check in with ICANN’s official website for the most recent updates.
Sources:
1. ICANN – https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tlds-2012-02-25-en
2. New gTLD Program – https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program
3. Domain Name System – https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/what-2012-02-25-en
4. Existing TLD list: https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt
