Generic top-level domain

|gTLD|intended use|
| --- | --- |
|<samp>.aero</samp>|the air transport industry.|
|<samp>.arpa</samp>|reserved exclusively to support operationally-critical infrastructural identifier spaces as advised by the Internet Architecture Board|
|<samp>.asia</samp>|companies. organisations and individuals in the Asia-Pacific region|
|<samp>.biz</samp>|business use|
|<samp>.cat</samp>|Catalan language/culture|
|<samp>.com</samp>|commercial organizations, but unrestricted|
|<samp>.coop</samp>|cooperatives|
|<samp>.edu</samp>|post-secondary educational establishments|
|<samp>.gov</samp>|government entities within the United States at the federal, state, and local levels|
|<samp>.info</samp>|informational sites, but unrestricted|
|<samp>.int</samp>|international organizations established by treaty|
|<samp>.jobs</samp>|employment-related sites|
|<samp>.mil</samp>|the U.S. military|
|<samp>.mobi</samp>|sites catering to mobile devices|
|<samp>.museum</samp>|museums|
|<samp>.name</samp>|families and individuals|
|<samp>.net</samp>|originally for network infrastructures, now unrestricted|
|<samp>.org</samp>|originally for organizations not clearly falling within the other gTLDs, now unrestricted|
|<samp>.pro</samp>|certain professions|
|<samp>.tel</samp>|services involving connections between the telephone network and the Internet (added March 2, 2007)|
|<samp>.travel</samp>|travel agents, airlines, hoteliers, tourism bureaus, etc.|

A **generic top-level domain** (_gTLD_) is one category of internet domain with (TLDs) maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for use on the Internet.

Now, IANA differenting next groups of Inttop-level domain:
- infrastructure top-level domain (.arpa)
- country-code top-level domains (ccTLD)
- sponsored top-level domains (sTLD)
- **generic top-level domains (gTLD)**
- **generic-restricted top-level domains**

## Generic Top-Level Domain

A **generic top-level domain (gTLD)** is one kind of top-level domain (TLD) used on the Internet. It is part of the Domain Name System (DNS), which helps computers find websites by name.

## Types of Top-Level Domains

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) lists these types of top-level domains:

- **Infrastructure TLD** – Example: `.arpa`
- **Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs)** – Like `.uk`, `.in`, or `.jp`
- **Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs)** – Backed by a private sponsor, such as `.edu` or `.gov`
- **Generic TLDs (gTLDs)** – Examples include `.com`, `.org`, `.net`, and newer ones like `.app`, `.tech`
- **Generic-restricted TLDs** – Like `.name` or `.pro`, where some rules apply

## New gTLD Program

In 2012, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) allowed people and companies to apply for new gTLDs. This let organizations create domains like `.google`, `.bank`, or `.music`.

More than 1,200 new gTLDs have been added since then. ICANN plans to open a **new round of applications in 2026**, with updated rules, fees, and procedures for applying. On May 30, 2025 ICANN has published the first draft of the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook for the upcoming 2026 New gTLD Next Round seeking public comments.   Post public comment the Final AGB will be published.

## How gTLDs Are Used

gTLDs can be used by anyone, unless rules say otherwise. Some gTLDs are open to the public, while others are private or limited to certain groups. Businesses, cities, and even individuals use gTLDs to create custom web addresses. New gTLD Applicant Guide Book will have more detailed information about the next round.