Top-level domains (TLDs) come in many forms. There are the original classics, like .com and .net, which launched way back in the 1980s. Then, there are the newer kids on the block, including niche TLDs like .shop and .deal.
There are also a host of international and region-specific TLDs. These include country-code TLDs, like .de for Germany, .cn for China, and .uk for the United Kingdom, as well as the more recently released geographic or GeoTLDs, which are similar, but different in several key ways.
Despite being relatively recent additions to the domain name landscape, GeoTLDs have quickly gained ground and proven very popular among users of all kinds. This guide charts their rapid rise up the TLD rankings, exploring how and why they’re such interesting options for domain names.
What Are GeoTLDs?
First, a definition: geographic TLDs are really similar to ccTLDs. In the same way that ccTLDs are tied to individual countries, GeoTLDs are tied to specific places. Examples include .madrid, for the Spanish city of Madrid, or .quebec, for the Canadian province of the same name. If you are wiling to do business locally then a local domain extension could be helpful. Like if your business mainly in Puerto Rico then getting a .PR domain websites will rank better for local results.
GeoTLDs can be linked to relatively small locations like a single city, or very large communities. The .bzh TLD, for example, is used among the Breton community of Brittany in France, while .africa, covers the entire African continent. This versatility helps to set GeoTLDs apart from their ccTLD counterparts.
The Rise of GeoTLDs
TLD history goes back to the 1980s. The first big batch of TLDs – which included .com, .org, and .edu – were introduced in 1985. But GeoTLD history is much more recent, as it was only in the 2000s that the idea of region and city-specific TLDs began to be floated among domain name circles and at industry events.
It wasn’t until the 2010s – 2014, to be precise – that the first GeoTLDs, like .london and .quebec, began to appear. Some feared that they wouldn’t take off, because there wasn’t a market for such specific TLDs when other options already existed.
But it turns out that there was indeed a market, as GeoTLDs have shown impressive rates of growth since their launch. This has led to many more proposed GeoTLDs emerging, and big city GeoTLDs like .berlin, .nyc, and .tokyo enjoying excellent registration and site creation figures.
What Makes GeoTLDs So Popular?
So what is it that distinguishes GeoTLDs from more traditional worldwide domain names and has elevated them to such heights of popularity? Here are a few explanations:
Local SEO
Arguably the biggest benefit offered by GeoTLDs is their local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) potential. Over the years, Google has updated its algorithms to prioritize local results, helping people find businesses, brands, and people that are near to them, making their searches more efficient and useful as a result.
GeoTLDs fit in with this ethos perfectly. Now, if someone in London, for example, is looking for a local coffee shop online, brands that use the .london GeoTLD will be prioritized and receive higher rankings in Google’s results pages. So, they’re perfect for businesses with local, centralized target audiences.
A Sign of Trust and Innovation
In the eyes of the average user, GeoTLDs are also often associated with positive characteristics like trust and credibility. If someone is looking for a real estate firm in NYC, for example, and they see a website with a .nyc ending, they may be more inclined to trust that firm because the name tells them that it is specialized in the city.
Like other new niche TLDs, GeoTLDs are also synonymous with innovation. Many forward-thinking startups and innovative new brands are opting to use these TLDs over others in order to stand out from the crowd.
Availability and Cost Benefits
The internet is becoming increasingly saturated. There are so many websites, especially those ending with .com, so the process of picking a domain name is becoming more and more challenging. Often, creators have to go through huge lists of possible names to finally find one that’s available.
Well, a big benefit of using GeoTLDs is that they’re much more accessible than most other TLDs. Some of them only have very small registration numbers, in the hundreds or thousands, meaning that countless domain names are still available and unclaimed. Plus, they’re often cheaper than .com or .net equivalents.
A Bright Future Ahead for GeoTLDs
All in all, it’s not hard to see why GeoTLDs have taken off to such an extent. They have a lot to offer in terms of targeting local audiences, improving access to international markets, connecting with communities, and building a brand identity. They’re also affordable and exciting. So, if you’re setting up a site, a GeoTLD might be the right choice for a brighter, bolder future.
