/ˌdʒiː-tiː-ɛl-diːz/
n. “The top-level labels that tell you what kind of website you’re visiting.”
gTLDs, short for generic Top-Level Domains, are one category of top-level domains (TLDs) in the Domain Name System (DNS). They appear at the end of domain names (after the last dot) and are not tied to a specific country or geographic location, unlike country code TLDs (ccTLDs) such as .us or .de. Examples of gTLDs include .com, .org, .net, and more recent additions like .app or .tech.
Key characteristics of gTLDs include:
Generic Scope: gTLDs are intended for general use rather than being restricted to a particular country.
Variety: Includes traditional domains (.com, .org), sponsored domains (.edu, .gov), and newer custom domains (.blog, .shop).
Managed by ICANN: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers oversees the assignment and regulation of gTLDs.
Branding and Organization: Often used to indicate the purpose or type of organization (e.g., .org for nonprofits, .edu for educational institutions).
Conceptually, gTLDs act as the top-level “category label” of a domain name, giving users a hint about the website’s purpose or type while providing a globally recognized namespace for the internet.
In essence, gTLDs are a foundational part of the DNS hierarchy, forming the final segment of domain names and helping organize the global web into logical, recognizable spaces.