Generic Top Level Domain

A generic top level domain gtld is a top level domain tld category that is easily recognized by a suffix attached to a domain name.

Generic top level domain. In june 2011 icann approved the new generic top level domain program gtld which allows organizations individuals and governments to apply for top level namespaces. Generic top level domains gtlds are one of the categories of top level domains tlds maintained by the internet assigned numbers authority iana for use in the domain name system of the internet a top level domain is the last level of every fully qualified domain name they are called generic for historic reasons. Us for the usa and uk for the uk. Seven generic top level domains were created early in the development of the internet and predate the creation of icann in 1998.

Understanding the history of gtlds can help explain why that is. Initially they were contrasted with country specific tlds in rfc 920. These are used by the internet s domain name system dns with oversight by the internet assigned numbers authority iana which is now controlled by the internet corporation for. A generic top level domain covers a thematic field rather than a geographical field.