History of the TLD

.cyou is a generic top-level domain introduced under ICANN’s new gTLD program in 2015 and delegated into the DNS root zone on March 31, 2015. It was originally delegated to Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd and later transferred to ShortDot SA, a registry operator based in Luxembourg, on May 14, 2020. The TLD is marketed around the phrase “see you” for brandable and memorable domain names.

Main Use and Industry Position

.cyou is positioned as a modern, brandable alternative to legacy extensions, appealing to digital-savvy individuals, influencers, startups, creatives, and businesses seeking unique and memorable domain names. It is widely used for personal branding, community platforms, creative portfolios, and contemporary online identities without sector restrictions.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to traditional TLDs such as .com or .net, .cyou provides more availability of short and descriptive names due to its relative newness. Against other new gTLDs, .cyou is distinctive for its marketing around conversational meaning and broad unrestricted registration, unlike some industry-specific or restricted gTLDs. Its focus on creative and personal branding differentiates it from corporate or region-specific extensions.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Broad unrestricted public registration available globally

• Memorable and brandable name association encouraging creative usage

• Supports modern features like DNSSEC for domain security

Cons

• Not as universally recognized as legacy TLDs like .com or .org

• Pricing and renewal costs may be higher than some alternatives depending on registrar

• Perception among some users may be less professional for traditional corporate branding

Registration Criteria

Registration is open to individuals and organizations worldwide with no specific eligibility restrictions. Domain names must conform to standard DNS naming conventions (letters, digits, hyphens within permitted positions and character lengths).

Summary

.cyou is a contemporary generic top-level domain intended for expansive public use with emphasis on branding and digital identity. Operated by ShortDot SA, it supports unrestricted global registration, making it suitable for creative projects, personal websites, startups, and forward-looking businesses seeking memorable domain names.