The top-level domain (TLD) “.yachts” is a highly specialized domain that brings together individuals and companies within the luxury marine industry. Designed for entities associated with yachts and yachting, it was introduced as part of ICANN’s new generic TLD program for the expansion of the domain space, facilitating the internet’s continued growth and diversity.
According to the ICANN Wiki, the “.yachts” TLD is managed by Dominion Enterprises, a company known for marketing services and publishing, with a focus on the marine, real estate, and travel industries. Dominion Enterprises was the sole applicant for the .yachts TLD, and it was approved in 2015.
The “.yachts” TLD is intended for manufacturers, brokers, service providers, and individuals passionate about yachting. For example, if an individual owns a yacht charter company, he or she might choose a domain name such as “mybusiness.yachts”. In this sense, the .yachts extension provides a clear, niche-oriented signal to search engines and web users about the content and target audience of the site, helping establish industry credibility and improve SEO outcomes.
The specific usage policy set by the registry requires that the .yachts domain be used by bona fide individuals or companies in the yacht industry. In other words, the registration requires verification and validation to ensure all sites under .yachts fall within the intended usage context.
As with other new TLDs, it’s anticipated that the .yachts extension will provide additional opportunities for companies and individuals unable to secure a desired .com or .net address. As the online space continues to get crowded, the specialized nature of the .yachts domain can help relevant businesses stand out.
As stated in the ICANNWiki, there are concerns associated with the use of these new domain extensions, including the potential for increased cybersquatting (where individuals purchase domain names with the intents of selling them at higher prices to legitimate businesses). To prevent misuse and protect its industry reputation, Dominion Enterprises has implemented restrictive registration policies for the .yachts domain. They have mandated that each application for a .yachts domain will need to be vetted and approved, helping ensure the domain remains relevant and valuable to the yachting industry.
To conclude, the .yachts TLD offers unique online branding opportunities for the yachting industry, providing a clear and targeted online identity to businesses, individuals, and service providers in the field of luxury boating.
Sources:
- ICANN Wiki (https://icannwiki.org/.yachts)
- Dominion Enterprises (https://www.dominionenterprises.com/)
- ICANN’s New gTLD Program (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings)
