Top-Level Domain (TLD) refers to the last segment of a domain name, or the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. It speaks to the hierarchy system within the Domain Name System (DNS). The “.training” TLD is an example of this.
“.TRAINING” is a generic TLD (gTLD) introduced by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the organization responsible for managing the domain name system. This new gTLD is part of ICANN’s program to expand the available domain names, allowing businesses to choose a domain name descriptive of their services or products. Created by Donuts Inc., a domain name registry, “.training” is designed for instructors, employers, schools/universities, and trainers who demonstrate concepts, processes, procedures or skills on their website (Domain Name Stat).
The .training TLD was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on January 31, 2014, as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. The application process for the “.training” domain was completed by the Donuts registry, which is now maintaining the TLD (ICANN).
Sites like ‘cloud.training’ by Amazon, ‘hfe.training,’ or ‘central.training’ by Central Knowledge are examples of websites that have made use of the “.training” extension to highlight their focus on providing training services or products.
As of March 2021, according to Domain Name Stat, there are nearly 13,000 .training domain names registered worldwide, illustrating the relatively widespread use of this TLD within its target market.
In sum, the .training TLD offers learning-focused organizations an appropriate, targeted domain option, supporting visibility and branding in the booming training and personal development sector.
Sources:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). New gTLD Program. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings
2. Domain Name Stat. Top level domain name (TLD) Statistics. https://domainnamestat.com/
3. ICANN. (2014). ‘.TRAINING’ Domain Application. https://icannwiki.org/.TRAINING
4. Donuts Inc. gTLD Domain Services. https://donuts.domains/services/
5. Example Websites: cloud.training (Amazon), hfe.training (Health and Fitness Education), central.training (Central Knowledge).
