History of the .email TLD

.email is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) created as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program and was delegated to the DNS root zone on January 2, 2014. It was originally applied for by Donuts (Spring Madison, LLC) and entered general availability shortly thereafter. The extension was designed to serve the growing number of email services and communication-related online presences.

Main Use and Industry Position

.email is positioned as an email-centric top-level domain suitable for individuals, businesses, and service providers focused on email communication. It is commonly used for email service brands, customer support contact addresses, newsletter and mailing list domains, and other communications-related web services. Its name clearly signals its association with electronic mail, differentiating it from more general TLDs like .com or .net.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to traditional TLDs such as .com, .net, and .org that are general-purpose, .email is niche and clearly associated with email and communication. Unlike some newer gTLDs with broad branding appeal such as .online or .site, .email targets a specific use and audience. It also differs from restricted or sponsored TLDs such as .edu or .gov because it is open to all registrants without specific eligibility requirements.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Highly descriptive for email-related sites and services
  

• Open registration available to any individual or organisation
  

• Can enhance memorability and brand clarity
  

Cons

• May be perceived as less traditional or authoritative than .com
  

• Some systems or forms might not recognise newer TLDs consistently
  

• Reputation and deliverability perceptions can vary compared to established extensions
  
  

Registration Criteria

.email has no special restrictions or eligibility criteria and is open for registration by individuals, companies, organisations, and entities worldwide.

Summary

.email is a generic top-level domain launched in early 2014 under ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It is designed to support email-related domains, offering clear and memorable branding for email services, communication departments, or personal email identities. It is available globally with no specific registration restrictions and serves as a niche alternative to broader domain extensions.