A top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of a domain name, or the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. TLDs are mainly classified into two categories: generic TLDs (such as .com, .org, .edu) and country-specific TLDs (such as .uk, .fr, .au) (ICANN, gTLD Overview). The “.target” domain doesn’t exist in the official list of TLDs recognized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is the organization that manages the Domain Name System (DNS).
Your usage of ‘TARGET’ in the question suggests that you are probably referring to a brand or corporation-specific TLD rather than a generic or country-specific TLD. The ICANN launched the New gTLD Program in 2012 and started accepting applications for new TLDs, including branded TLDs. This opened up the opportunity for corporations to apply for their brand names as TLDs (ICANN, New gTLD Program).
For instance, Google now uses “.google” and Barclays uses “.barclays”. However, there is no “.target” TLD currently in use by Target Corporation or any other entity; nor is there any record of such a TLD application, as per the publicly accessible ICANN’s TLD Application System. For an entity to be able to use a “.target” or any other brand-specific TLD, it would need to go through the application process with ICANN which includes regulatory, security, and financial checks among others.
The use of branded TLDs can have various benefits for corporations. They can help enhance the visibility of the brand online, increase customer trust by creating a secure, dedicated space on the Internet, and provide more control over the corporation’s online presence. However, the phased introduction of new TLDs has raised some cyberspace governance issues as well such as cybersquatting and trademark infringement that need to be carefully managed (OECD Report, The Economics of Brand Top-Level Domain Names).
In conclusion, although the domain “.target” or similarly branded extensions aren’t currently existing TLDs, they could potentially become one with the continuation of ICANN’s New gTLD Program with appropriate applications and oversight.
Sources Used:
1. ICANN – “About Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)” Webpage
2. ICANN – “New gTLD Program” Webpage
3. OECD Report – “The Economics of Brand Top-Level Domain Names“
4. ICANN – “Top Level Domain Application System” Webpage.
