History of the TLD .farm

The .farm domain is a generic top-level domain introduced through ICANN’s New gTLD Program to expand the domain name space beyond legacy extensions like .com and .org. The string became operational in 2014. It was created to give farms, agricultural businesses, and related organisations a dedicated namespace online. The registry is operated by Identity Digital, which manages a large portfolio of new gTLDs.

Main Use and Industry Position

.farm is positioned as an industry-specific generic TLD that signals affiliation with agriculture, farming, agribusiness, and related services. It serves as a descriptive domain extension for farmers, agricultural suppliers, researchers, food producers, and agritech startups seeking a clear online identity.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with legacy TLDs such as .com, .net, and .org, which are general purpose, .farm offers specialised positioning for agriculture-related entities. Compared with other industry TLDs such as .agricultural or .ag, .farm is entirely generic and open to any registrant without specific eligibility restrictions. Its targeted messaging contrasts with broad gTLDs like .online or .site while offering more contextual relevance for its niche audience.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Provides clear industry-specific branding aligned to farming and agriculture
  

• Open registration with no strict eligibility requirements
  

• Supports standard DNS features including DNSSEC
  

• Available globally on a first-come, first-served basis
  

Cons

• Less recognised than established extensions such as .com which may affect memorability
  

• Can be priced higher at some registrars compared with generic TLDs
  

• Niche positioning may limit appeal outside agriculture-focused audiences
  
  

Registration Criteria

Registration of .farm domain names is open to any individual or organisation on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no eligibility restrictions or specific credentials required. Domain names must comply with standard naming conventions, including valid characters and length rules.

Summary

.farm is a generic top-level domain created under the ICANN New gTLD Program to serve the global agriculture and farming sector. It is managed by Identity Digital and intended for businesses, organisations, and individuals connected to farming and agriculture. With unrestricted global registration and features like DNSSEC support, it offers a thematic alternative to broader, non-specific domain extensions.