History of the TLD

.ac was introduced in 1991 as the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Ascension Island, a small British territory in the South Atlantic. Over time, it has gained popularity for academic institutions due to the association with “academic” or “academy.”

Main Use & Industry Position

.ac is widely used by universities, educational projects, research organizations, and tech startups. Its association with academics gives it credibility for educational or scholarly websites.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to .edu, .ac offers broader availability and can be registered by entities outside the U.S. It is less known globally than .com but carries a niche academic and professional appeal.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Short, memorable, and professional
  

• Recognized in academic circles
  

• High availability compared to .edu
  

Cons

• Limited mainstream recognition
  

• May not convey a commercial or general-purpose identity
  

• Premium names can be expensive
  
  

Registration Criteria

The .ac domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Ascension Island. It can be registered by anyone globally, though it’s often used by academic institutions due to its similarity to “academic.” It’s a niche domain that adds a professional touch for educational or research-related websites.

Summary

.ac is a niche domain popular with educational and research organizations, offering professional credibility but limited global recognition outside academic contexts.