With generic TLDs being oversaturated and marketed globally, country domains can help you reach a local audience and boost SEO.
Top TLDs: The Most Popular Domain Extensions Right Now
Written by Liam Campbell ·
🔍 Summary:
The .com and .org domains are by far the most popular but also the most crowded options for top TLDs. Country-level TLDs (ccTLDs) can have niche uses for hitting local SEO benefits and nifty wordplay. Other industry-specific TLDs have started seeing a bit more use, but are still relatively untapped.
đź“‹ Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Top-Level Domains
Top-level domains or TLDs are the final segment of a domain name (the letters that follow the dot). In internet infrastructure, the top-level domains help the domain name system correctly identify your website and under which "root zone" it's listed in so it can be accessed. The list and availability of the domain extensions are governed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which currently lists around 1,250 different TLDs. This is a slight decrease from 2021 of over 1,500 due to IANA actively removing or retiring unused or problematic TLDs.
On the surface, TLDs don't have much use themselves, being just one part of the overall internet structure. However, if you dig a bit deeper, Google actually lists or de-lists particular TLDs based on how users interact with them or what the TLD is typically used for.
With that in mind, using the "correct" TLD for your company signals that you're a legitimate and ambitious business, entrepreneur, or even a trustworthy academic source. For example, .edu is almost exclusively used for educational content and websites, while .shop clearly indicates that you're running a website oriented around selling a particular product.
Beyond that, there's a loose separation of TLDs into generic (meaning that anyone from any country can register one), national (or country-code TLD), sponsored (reserved for specific uses such as .gov or .mil, which have stringent regulations), and more "esoteric," such as new (which were only recently released for registration).
Based on that, top TLDs allow you to tap into any market so long as you've got the right name/extension combination, while country-specific ones can immediately signal that you're operating in a specific country or region. So, if you're wondering what are the most common domain extensions, read on.
2. The Most Popular TLDs
While all TLDs are technically created equal, they ended up serving different purposes and enjoying different popularity among the internet userbase. This led to a few generic and country-level TLDs becoming much more common.
2.1 .com: The Dominant Force
The .com TLD is believed to account for over 52% of all websites, with an astounding 156 million of them (albeit some may be inactive).
The reason for this is quite simple. The .com TLD means "commercial," so it applies to pretty much any business or project that's designed to earn money in one way or another.
Of course, there's a downside to being the biggest and one of the most popular TLDs: too much competition.
With over 100 million websites, it's getting increasingly difficult to find a domain name that's free to use or that doesn't cost a lot to purchase. Notably, the .com TLD is perhaps the most popular TLD used in cybersquatting. This means there are plenty of people and businesses who attempt to earn money themselves by buying unused domains that could have meaning or use in the future. Then, once someone actually wants to use the domain, they can ask for a significant markup to sell it.
This means that buying a .com domain requires a bit of finesse and searching.
2.2 .org: Non-Profit and Beyond
The .org domain (for "organization") is the fifth-most popular domain extension, in use by roughly 11 million websites in 2025. Notice the big jump between first and second spot, showcasing just how wildly useful a .com domain is?
The .org domain signals trustworthiness from organizations, whether they're non-profit companies, informational websites, or communities. Still, some businesses can use the domain (as it's free for registration and doesn't have any specific baggage).
2.3 .net: Networking and Technology
While it was initially created for network infrastructure, the .net domain has become a de facto replacement for .com when the latter is unavailable.
Statistics-wise, the .net domain is therefore a bit more popular, with around 13 million websites on it. Notably, .net might be better for a company as it doesn't carry the same negative connotation brought on by oversaturation and possible cybersquatting as .com. So if you're debating on .net vs .com, there are particular pros and cons.
3. Country Code TLDs
Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are a specific type of top-level domain that are assigned to each country. The IANA has assigned the codes based on the ISO standard, using each country's two-letter abbreviation to form the domain.
Some ccTLDs have specific residency requirements, where you can only register a domain if you provide proof that you're a resident of that country. However, they are excellent for local SEO, as Google and other search engines will prioritize most ccTLDs when showing results based on your ISP location. For example, popular South American ccTLDs will almost always be shown for regional searches.
3.1 .uk: United Kingdom
Typically, the .uk domain uses the .co.uk variation, targeting businesses that operate in or from the United Kingdom. With over 10 million registrations, it frequently makes the top 5 list of ccTLDs by website count.
3.2 .de: Germany
Germany typically ranks near the top of ccTLDs by popularity due to a strong economy (i.e., a lot of businesses) combined with solid internet literacy. Since a lot of German companies also prefer to conduct business in German, there are over 17 million registered websites under this domain.
3.3 .cn: China
It's no surprise China has the highest number of registrations, at just over 33 million. The domain is an excellent option for Chinese businesses. Note that .cn is much more restrictive than Western domains, requiring a Chinese business to register a domain.
4. New Generic TLDs
4.1 The Expansion of Domain Possibilities
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers' (ICANN's) expansion program introduced hundreds of new TLDs, creating opportunities beyond traditional extensions. With the overpopulation of .com and .net, new TLDs are constantly registered to fill in the niches and allow companies to display their website's purpose and intended demographics.
This allows a relatively new business to get a highly coveted domain name, just without having the traditional domain extension behind it.
4.2 Examples of Unique gTLDs
- .app: This is a relatively novel gTLD that is focused on app developers. Statistics suggest between 700,000 and 1 million registrations, with strong adoption in tech companies and independent programmers.
- .shop: Designed for e-commerce and retail, the .shop domain is perfect if you want to run an online store. It can be used to differentiate between informative and sales-oriented content.
- .tech: Tech companies and startups can use this TLD to fully embrace their purpose and drive. It has over 500,000 registrations.
5. Selection Criteria for Choosing a TLD
5.1 Factors to Consider
One of the first things you have to check is whether a domain name is even available under the TLD that you're looking for. If your preferred .com domain is taken, you might want to check other options for country-code or generic TLDs that more closely align with your business's structure.
With that in mind, your audience's location will also likely lead you to choose a ccTLD over a gTLD, especially if you're running a brick-and-mortar or local business. Google prioritizes most ccTLDs in local search (with exceptions for small ccTLDs that have adopted global use, such as .ai or .fm).
Notably, there are some domains that are associated with scammers, such as .xyz or even .tokyo.
5.2 Branding and Market Reach
Your domain name (and by extension the TLD) will become a part of your online identity. As such, you can create clever combinations using ccTLDs to make your domain more memorable.
Beyond that, consider how familiar the domain extension is with your intended users. Most people have heard of .com, but not that many are familiar with some of the nice, new TLDs. Of course, if you're targeting a specific niche, then the latter can actually be a benefit, allowing your company to be instantly recognizable in the sphere you're operating in.
5.3 SEO Implications of TLD Selection
In general, gTLDs are shown based on actual local and global SEO positioning, so it's a bit free-for-all for attention and marketing.
On the other hand, ccTLDs are a bit of a mixed bag. Most of them typically function mainly in local searches. However, some ccTLDs that have found success mainly as domain hacks (such as .ai, .fm, .me, and so on) are usually treated as gTLDs instead.
6. The Future of TLDs
New TLDs continue to be created, though .com maintains its top spot. Industry-specific extensions gain traction as businesses seek differentiation in crowded markets. Extensions like .store, .online, and .site are becoming increasingly common.
Geographic TLDs have also expanded beyond countries to cities such as .nyc, .tokyo, and .london, enabling hyper-local branding. This trend serves businesses emphasizing community connections. However, note that some have become breeding grounds for spam due to lack of use.
ICANN coordinates the global domain system, ensuring TLDs operate securely and reliably. ICANN also establishes policies for new TLD introduction, manages root zone files, and resolves disputes.
Understanding ICANN's role helps navigate TLD decisions — approved extensions carry legitimacy and technical support that unofficial alternatives lack.
7. Choosing the Right TLD
Top-level domains can shape your brand's online identity, credibility, and discoverability. While .com dominates with over half of all registrations, alternatives like .org, .net, and country-code TLDs offer valuable options for specific audiences and purposes.
New generic TLDs expanded possibilities, enabling industry-specific and creative domain choices that weren't available before. The right extension balances availability, brand alignment, and audience expectations.
But don't let perfect be the enemy of good. If your ideal .com domain is unavailable, a strong brand on an alternative TLD beats the most popular domain extensions that are used with a bland name. Consider your industry, target market, and branding strategy when evaluating options.
Research what competitors use, but don't follow blindly. Most of your top TLDs should support your unique value proposition and resonate with your specific audience.
But most importantly, make sure that your domain registrar can find you the best domains from the newest and hottest TLDs available.
Register.Domains offers access to over 1,000 TLDs with transparent pricing and free WHOIS privacy protection. Our platform simplifies comparing options and helps you secure your domain before competitors claim it.
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Search Domains Now8. FAQs
Which TLD Would Be Suited for a Personal Site?
The .me domain (ccTLD for Montenegro) is a strong choice. However, if you dislike using ccTLDs for unintended purposes, .name and .info are solid options.
Which Domain Is Most Likely to Appear Credible?
In general, the .gov domains are most credible, but they require that you're an actual government agency. Most popular domain extensions like .com, .net, or .org are usually credible due to their sheer popularity.
Which Email Domain Is the Most Professional?
In general, you want to make your email domain similar to your website domain. This allows you to instantly show the link between the email and the website and keeps your branding on point.
