TLD, short for top-level domain, is a component of the Internet’s domain name system structure. A top-level domain is the section of a domain name that comes after the “dot” and identifies the type of domain name. Common top-level domains include .com, .org, .net, .edu, and .gov.
TLDs are an important part of the domain name system and often represent the countries in which companies or organizations are located. The .com domain is by far the most popular global TLD, but as more countries create their own domains, they become increasingly popular.
When registering a domain name, a TLD is required along with a second-level domain name. A valid website name would be something like myexample.com, where .com is the TLD and “myexample” is the second-level domain name.
TLDs are managed and issued by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California. ICANN is responsible for maintaining a list of all existing TLDs and making sure that they are allocated for the proper purpose.
The availability of a certain domain name is determined by its TLD; for example, if the domain you are looking for is not available in .com, you may have to look for it in other domains such as .org or .net.
TLDs provide a way for organizations or individuals to create unique domain names and a more cohesive online presence. As domain names have become essential for businesses and their branding, more and more TLDs have been created to make it easier for businesses to stand out.
