What is a Top-Level Domain? (TLD)

A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the final segment of a domain name, appearing after the last dot. It is a critical element of the URL structure, helping categorize and identify websites based on purpose, location, or industry. For instance, in "www.example.com," the TLD is ".com," one of the most widely used TLDs worldwide, primarily associated with commercial websites.

TLDs can influence a website’s identity and reach. While generic TLDs (gTLDs) like .com, .net, and .org are common for general use, new gTLDs such as .tech, .design, or .blog are becoming increasingly popular to help businesses differentiate themselves. Additionally, country code TLDs (ccTLDs) like .uk or .ca can help build trust with local audiences or improve local search engine rankings. Choosing the right TLD can enhance SEO and user perception and make a website more memorable, aligning it with specific business goals or geographic markets.