History of the TLD

.doctor is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) created under the ICANN New gTLD Program. It was delegated in July 2016 and is intended for the healthcare, medical, academic, and professional communities. The registry is operated by Binky Moon, LLC, with administrative and technical services provided by Identity Digital Inc. .doctor was introduced to provide a professional namespace for medical practitioners and related organizations.

Main Use and Industry Position

.doctor is positioned as a professional and descriptive TLD tailored for physicians, clinics, healthcare providers, medical researchers, academic doctors, specialists, and related entities. Its primary purpose is to convey credibility and expertise in the healthcare sector. While available for general registration, it is most valuable for professionals seeking to establish a clear and trustworthy online identity.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs like .com and .net, .doctor provides an immediately identifiable professional context that enhances trust with patients and audiences seeking medical or expert services. Compared to other healthcare-oriented TLDs such as .healthcare, .clinic, or .medical, .doctor is more specific and signals individual professional identity. Unlike highly restricted TLDs such as .bank or .pharmacy, .doctor does not enforce strict eligibility requirements, though credential verification may be requested.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clear professional and medical connotation enhancing trust and credibility
  

• Broad use for individual professionals, practices, clinics, and academic experts
  

• Supports DNSSEC and WHOIS privacy through participating registrars
  

• Flexible registration and usage
  

Cons

• Not strictly title-restricted, meaning credentials may not always be verified
  

• Potential for misuse by non-professionals due to open registration
  

• Registration cost is higher than generic extensions like .com or .net
  
  

Registration Criteria

Registration of .doctor domains is open to the general public. Registrants who represent themselves as licensed medical professionals or healthcare entities may need to provide proof of credentials if requested. There are no local presence requirements.

Summary

.doctor is a professional gTLD designed for medical professionals, healthcare organizations, and related experts to establish an authoritative online presence. Managed by Binky Moon, LLC, with technical services by Identity Digital Inc, it is suitable for branding, professional portfolios, telemedicine platforms, and patient outreach. While open registration is allowed, its value is strongest for licensed professionals whose work aligns with the implied expertise.