TLD

Top-Level Domain

The final segment of a domain name, located to the right of the last dot. It is part of the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy and classifies domains by purpose, location, or type.

Example: In the domain name martech.zone:

• zone is the TLD
• martech is the SLD (Second-Level Domain)

Key Points:

• TLDs are managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and are categorized into different types, including:
  • Generic TLDs (gTLDs): Commonly used TLDs like .com, .org, .net, and new ones like .tech or .zone.
  • Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): Specific to countries or regions, such as .uk (United Kingdom), .de (Germany), or .jp (Japan).
  • Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs): Restricted to specific communities or purposes, such as .edu (educational institutions) or .gov (U.S. government entities).

Usage:

• TLDs are often chosen based on the nature of the website, target audience, or location.
• Newer gTLDs allow for creative branding opportunities (e.g., .shop, .online, .blog).

Related Terms:

• Domain Name: The complete web address, including both the SLD and TLD.
• SLD (Second-Level Domain): The portion of the domain to the left of the TLD (e.g., “example” in example.com).
• Subdomain: An additional prefix added to a domain name (e.g., “store” in store.example.com).