History of the TLD

.build is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) created under ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was applied for by Plan Bee LLC with support from the Minardos Group and was delegated to the DNS root in January 2014. The TLD was designed to serve the global construction and building industries, offering a relevant namespace for professionals in this sector.

Main Use and Industry Position

.build is positioned as an industry-specific TLD for construction and building professionals. It targets contractors, builders, architects, engineers, and other professionals associated with building activities. The extension communicates professional focus and industry relevance, differentiating it from general-purpose TLDs like .com or .net.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to generic TLDs such as .com, .net, or .org, .build has a specialized industry focus that helps entities signal their niche expertise. Unlike geographic or community TLDs that restrict registration by location or group, .build is open to all. Relative to other industry TLDs like .construction or .engineering, .build emphasizes simplicity and broad applicability within the building ecosystem.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Provides clear industry association for construction and building professionals

• Open registration with no special eligibility restrictions

• Supports standard DNS features including DNSSEC

Cons

• Lower overall adoption and visibility compared to mainstream TLDs like .com or .net

• Niche focus may limit recognition outside target sectors

• Fewer secondary market transactions and premium names

Registration Criteria

Registration of .build domains is open to anyone worldwide on a first-come, first-served basis with no specific industry requirement. Domains must conform to standard character and length rules and are available through accredited registrars.

Summary

.build is a dedicated gTLD launched in 2014 to serve the construction, building, and associated industries. It offers clear industry signaling and standard domain features with open registration. While adoption remains modest compared to legacy TLDs, it provides niche specificity that benefits branding and discoverability for professionals in its target sectors.