What is a gTLD?
A gTLD (Generic Top-Level Domain) is a top-level domain that isn't associated with a specific country or territory. Unlike ccTLDs (country code TLDs) such as .uk or .de, gTLDs are intended for general use, though some have specific purposes or eligibility requirements.
The Evolution of gTLDs
Original gTLDs (Pre-2000)
The internet started with just seven gTLDs:
| gTLD | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|
| .com | Commercial entities | 1985 |
| .net | Network infrastructure | 1985 |
| .org | Organizations | 1985 |
| .edu | Educational institutions | 1985 |
| .gov | US government | 1985 |
| .mil | US military | 1985 |
| .int | International organizations | 1988 |
Early Expansion (2000-2004)
ICANN introduced a limited expansion:
- .biz, .info, .name, .pro (unrestricted)
- .aero, .coop, .museum (sponsored/restricted)
New gTLD Program (2012-Present)
ICANN's New gTLD Program revolutionized the domain landscape, adding over 1,200 new extensions. This enabled:
- Brand TLDs: .google, .amazon, .apple
- Industry TLDs: .bank, .insurance, .law
- Generic TLDs: .app, .dev, .blog, .shop
- Geographic TLDs: .nyc, .london, .tokyo
Popular gTLDs for Developers
Several gTLDs have gained significant traction in the tech community:
.dev
Operated by Google, .dev requires HTTPS (HSTS preloaded) and is popular for developer portfolios, documentation, and tools.
.app
Also Google-operated with mandatory HTTPS, .app is ideal for mobile applications, SaaS products, and web applications.
.io
Technically a ccTLD (British Indian Ocean Territory), .io functions as a gTLD in practice. It's become synonymous with tech startups and APIs due to its association with "input/output."
.tech
A straightforward choice for technology companies and products.
.ai
Another ccTLD (Anguilla) that's gained gTLD-like popularity for AI and machine learning projects.
gTLD Registration and Management
ICANN Oversight
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) manages the gTLD system, including:
- Approving new gTLD applications
- Setting policies for registry operators
- Managing the root zone file
Registry Operators
Each gTLD has a designated registry operator:
- Verisign: .com, .net
- Public Interest Registry: .org
- Google Registry: .dev, .app, .page
- Donuts: 200+ new gTLDs
Registrars
End users register domains through accredited registrars (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.), not directly through registries.
Choosing a gTLD for Your Project
Consider these factors:
Trust and Recognition: .com still dominates in user trust and recognition. Users may be skeptical of unfamiliar TLDs. Availability: Premium domain names are more available in newer gTLDs. "startup.com" is taken, but "startup.dev" might be available. Pricing: New gTLDs often have higher registration and renewal fees than .com or .net. Purpose Alignment: Choose a TLD that matches your project. A developer tool feels natural on .dev; an e-commerce site fits on .shop. HTTPS Requirements: Some gTLDs like .dev and .app require HTTPS, which is good for security but requires SSL certificate setup.gTLDs and Domain Availability APIs
When checking domain availability across gTLDs:
curl "https://domscan.net/v1/status?name=myproject&tlds=com,dev,app,io"Different gTLDs have different RDAP endpoints and response characteristics, but APIs like DomScan normalize these differences for consistent results.