History of the TLD

The .co domain was first delegated in 1991 as the country-code TLD for Colombia. Originally managed under strict rules, it was relaunched globally in 2010, making it available to anyone. Since then, it has grown into a popular and modern alternative to .com, especially for startups and innovative businesses.

Main Use & Industry Position

.co is widely used by startups, tech ventures, and creative brands due to its short, memorable format. It is often chosen as a modern branding tool when .com is unavailable and has developed strong recognition as a global business domain.

Comparison to Other TLDs

.co competes directly with .com but distinguishes itself with its shorter, more modern appeal. It offers higher availability of names compared to .com and is often seen as more brandable than legacy extensions like .net or .org. However, it can cause user confusion due to its similarity with .com.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Short, clean, and memorable
  

• Strong branding potential, especially for startups
  

• Globally available with no restrictions
  

Cons

• Often mistaken for .com, leading to possible traffic loss
  

• Less established trust compared to .com
  

• Premium names may already be taken or costly

Registration Criteria

The .co domain was originally the country code for Colombia but has become internationally recognized as a popular alternative to .com. It’s open to anyone worldwide, with no residency or business restrictions. Many startups and entrepreneurs choose .co for its short, modern appearance that suggests “company” or “corporation.”

Summary

.co is a sleek and modern global domain extension, favored by startups and brands seeking short, memorable names, though it carries a risk of confusion with .com.