The top-level domain (TLD) “.wiki” is a generically dedicated domain name which was approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in 2014. As the name suggests, the “.wiki” TLD is designed specifically for wikis – online, collaborative content spaces used by individuals, companies and other organizations. According to ICANN’s summary (via ICANN.org), the intention of this TLD’s creation was to provide an online community with a platform to share knowledge and work towards common goals, in a more identified and localized space.
The registry for .wiki TLD is managed by Top Level Design, an American company based in Portland, OR, USA, as part of the wave of new TLD releases authorized by ICANN to expand internet real estate and diversify the domain landscape beyond the traditional .com, .net, and .org options. According to Top Level Design’s website, the company recognized early on that “.wiki” could become a preferred destination for communities of shared interest online. They managed to win the rights to this new space and launched this TLD in May 2014.
The domain name system itself is managed by domain name registries, which could be private organizations or national governments, as explained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Each registry is responsible for implementing its own operational standards and fees, while adhering to ICANN’s general policies. Domain registrars, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap, liaise between the purchaser and the registry to facilitate the process of registration and administration of these domain names.
The benefit of the .wiki TLD is that it helps web content creators to indicate clearly and precisely that the associated site is meant for collaborative, community-based content creation and editing, as well demonstrated by popular examples such as Wikipedia. It helps users locate wikis faster and more effectively. For instance, a football team’s fanbase might use a .wiki domain to collaboratively create a comprehensive history of the team, or a community group might create a wiki to organize local knowledge and news.
However, it’s important to note that due to the nature of a wiki, they can be more susceptible to inaccurate information or vandalism. Therefore, the Wikipedia Foundation (via Wikipedia.org) recommends effective moderation and regular updating, among many other practices for maintaining high-quality wiki pages.
To summarize, with the right measures in place, the .wiki TLD can provide a unique and powerful platform that allows individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations to share knowledge, collaborate, and innovate on a wide scale and across varied topic areas.
Sources Used:
1. ICANN.org
2. Top Level Design’s website (toplevel.design)
3. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
4. Wikipedia Foundation (wikipedia.org)
