Generic top-level domain

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.

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

Now, IANA differenting next groups of Inttop-level domain:^[1]

• 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.^[2]

Types of Top-Level Domains

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) lists these types of top-level domains:^[3][4]

• 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.^[5]

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.^[3][2][5]. 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. ^{[6] [7]} 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. ^[8][9]