History of the TLD

.company is a generic top‑level domain (gTLD) introduced as part of ICANN’s expansion of the domain name system to include a wide range of new extensions aimed at providing more descriptive and industry‑focused naming options. It was created to serve businesses and organisations looking for an alternative to traditional domain extensions.

Main Use and Industry Position

.company is primarily used by businesses of all sizes that wish to communicate corporate identity directly in their web address. It appeals to entities that want a clear association between their brand and a business concept. The TLD is open for general registration without geographic restriction and has been adopted by companies, startups, agencies, consultancies, and creative enterprises. It serves as an alternative or complement to legacy extensions where preferred names under .com may be unavailable.

Comparison to Other TLDs

.company provides a business‑focused naming option compared with traditional extensions such as .com and .net. Unlike .com, which is universally recognised and heavily entrenched, .company offers a more descriptive and modern branding alternative that can enhance specificity for corporate and corporate‑related services. It is similar in purpose to other business‑oriented gTLDs like .business or .enterprise but still less widely used than .com.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clear branding for business identity and corporate use

• Often greater availability of desirable names than legacy TLDs

• Global registration with no geographic restrictions

Cons

• Lower mainstream recognition compared with .com

• Potential for confusion among users unfamiliar with newer gTLDs

• May not convey the same trust level as long‑established extensions such as .com

Registration Criteria

There are no specific eligibility restrictions for registering a .company domain beyond standard requirements set by registrars and the registry. Any individual or organisation can register a .company domain through an accredited registrar.

Summary

.company is a generic top‑level domain tailored for businesses seeking an intuitive and descriptive extension. It provides a valuable alternative to established domains, particularly when preferred .com names are unavailable, though it still lags behind traditional extensions in global recognition.