History of the TLD

The .actor generic Top‑Level Domain (gTLD) was introduced as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. The application was submitted by United TLD Holdco Ltd., a subsidiary of Rightside/Demand Media, and successfully delegated to the DNS root zone on 26 February 2014 after receiving a registry agreement with ICANN. The intention behind the creation of .actor was to provide a dedicated web address space for professionals and organisations in the theatrical, film, television and performing arts communities worldwide. The TLD has been active since its delegation and is managed under ICANN’s policies for generic TLDs.

Main Use and Industry Position

The .actor TLD is positioned as a specialist domain for the entertainment and performance industry. It is primarily used by individual actors, actresses, performers, casting agencies, acting schools, guilds, talent agents and industry support organisations to establish a professional online identity that clearly reflects their profession or focus. It conveys industry relevance and can help users stand out in a crowded digital space compared to more generic TLDs.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs such as .com or .net, the .actor extension offers greater semantic relevance for individuals and organisations in the performance arts. It directly communicates industry affiliation, while legacy TLDs provide general purpose branding without this specific contextual signal. In contrast to other niche extensions like .film or .theatre, .actor focuses specifically on the person or professional identity within entertainment, making it a clearer choice for personal portfolios and professional branding.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Helps convey a clear professional identity connected to acting and performance
  

• Supports branding for individual actors and industry professionals
  

• Usually available without eligibility restrictions, open to anyone
  

Cons

• Lower global recognition and familiarity compared to .com or .net
  

• May be perceived as niche, limiting broader commercial appeal
  

• Pricing can vary widely between registrars and may be higher than standard TLDs
  
  

Registration Criteria

Registration of .actor domain names is generally open to all individuals and organisations without special restriction or local presence requirements. Domain names must meet standard DNS character rules and cannot include certain reserved or restricted names in compliance with ICANN policy. 

Summary

The .actor TLD is a generic top‑level domain tailored for performers, actors and entertainment professionals. Launched through ICANN’s New gTLD Program and delegated in 2014, it enables industry‑specific branding on the internet. It is open to registration by any party and provides a distinctive alternative to more generic domain extensions. Its principal advantage lies in clear industry positioning, while its adoption level and recognition remain more niche compared to legacy extensions.