History of the TLD .date

.date is a generic top-level domain created as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program and was delegated into the DNS root zone in 2015. It is sponsored by dot Date Limited and became available for public registration following its delegation.

Main Use and Industry Position

.date domains are commonly used for websites related to dating services, event scheduling, and content associated with dates. It is chosen by businesses or individuals seeking a domain that clearly reflects these themes.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs like .com or .net, .date is more niche and context-specific. It provides thematic branding for date-related content, whereas traditional TLDs are more universally recognized. Within new gTLDs, .date is less widely adopted than broad-purpose extensions such as .online or .blog.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clear thematic branding for dating and event-related sites
  

• Greater likelihood of name availability than popular legacy TLDs
  

• Flexible registration with no strict eligibility restrictions
  

Cons

• Lower overall recognition among general internet users than legacy TLDs
  

• Some perception of being less professional compared to established extensions
  

• Potential for higher unused domain rates due to niche usage
  
  

Registration Criteria

Registration of .date domains is open to individuals and organizations globally without restrictive requirements.

Summary

.date is an active gTLD delegated in 2015, primarily used for dating, event planning, and date-centric websites. It offers creative branding potential with broad public availability, though it is less mainstream than traditional extensions.