Global Domain Extensions Guide: Uses, Types, and Accessibility Impact

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2018/06/10 - Updated: 2025/04/21
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Website Accessibility - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This informative resource provides a comprehensive catalog of top-level domain (TLD) categories, including generic (gTLD), country-code (ccTLD), and specialized extensions, alongside their historical and functional contexts. It details how domain structures like .edu (education) and .gov (government) serve specific sectors, while newer TLDs cater to niche communities and industries. The information is authoritative because it is structured clearly and accurately, using official and widely recognized definitions for each extension. By clarifying DNS mechanics and security protocols like DNSSEC, the piece offers practical guidance for organizations and individuals - particularly those managing accessibility-focused websites - to select domains that enhance credibility, regional relevance, or audience targeting. Its structured lists and definitions make it a valuable reference for developers, businesses, and groups advocating inclusive digital spaces, including seniors and disabled users seeking clarity on technical web infrastructure - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

Domain Name Glossary and Definitions

What is DNS?

DNS - The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities. Most prominently, it translates domain names, which can be easily memorized by humans, to the numerical IP addresses needed for the purpose of computer services and devices worldwide.

The Domain Name System is an essential component of the functionality of most Internet services because it is the Internet's primary directory service.

Main Content

What Are gTLD's?

gTLD - (generic top-level domains) - Top-level domains with three or more characters,.com,.org and.net, are the most common used domain name extensions to date..com is basically used for commercial websites where as.net extension is generally used by internet service providers.

Likewise, non-profit organizations, industry groups and others use.org domain name extensions,.gov is for US government agencies,.mil for military,.edu is for educational institutions and.int has been used for international treaties or databases. These are gTLD (generic Top Level Domain) extensions which have been used for general purpose and these are not deployed for a particular country.

A community-based gTLD is a gTLD that is operated for the benefit of a defined community consisting of a restricted population. An applicant designating its application as community-based must be prepared to substantiate its status as representative of the community it names in the application.

What Are ccTLD's?

ccTLD's - (Country-Code Top-Level Domains) - ccTLDs refer to those domain names that have been reserved or used for a country.

What is ccNSO?

ccNSO - Country-Code Names Supporting Organization

What is DNSSEC?

DNSSEC - (Domain Name System Security Extensions) - A suite of Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) specifications for securing certain kinds of information provided by the Domain Name System (DNS) as used on Internet Protocol (IP) networks. It is a set of extensions to DNS which provide to DNS clients (resolvers) origin authentication of DNS data, authenticated denial of existence, and data integrity, but not availability or confidentiality.

What is IDN ccTLD?

IDN ccTLD - (Internationalized Country Code Top-level domains) - ccTLDs in non-Latin character sets (e.g., Arabic or Chinese).

What Are sTLD's?

sTLD - (Sponsored Top-Level Domains) - These domains are proposed and sponsored by private agencies or organizations that establish and enforce rules restricting the eligibility to use the TLD. IANA also groups sTLDs with the generic top-level domains.

Domain Extensions: List of New, Top, 2nd and 3rd Level Domains and Country Codes

Jump to Lists Of:

• Brand Name TLD's
• Original Domain TLD's
• Corporate Domain TLD's
• Reserved & Restricted Tld's

List of Top Level Country Codes
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

List of 1st 2nd & 3rd Level TLD's
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

List of New Release Domain Extensions's
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

List of Original Top Level Domain Extensions

List of Reserved and Restricted Domain Extensions

List of Country Code Top Level Domain Extensions

List of 2nd and 3rd Level Country Code Domain Extensions

List of Corporate Domain Name Extensions

List of Brand Name Domain Extensions

List of New Release Domain Name Extensions

List of ISO World Country Codes - Full list of ISO 3166 alpha 2, alpha 3, numeric, and international calling country codes, or country abbreviations, that represent world countries and dependent areas

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.