History of the TLD

.glass is a generic top-level domain created as part of the ICANN New gTLD Program. It was delegated to the DNS Root Zone in 2014 and made available for general registration shortly after. The extension was intended to create a descriptive namespace for entities associated with glass products and related industries while remaining open for broader use. The registry is managed by Identity Digital.

Main Use and Industry Position

.glass serves as a thematic TLD signaling relevance to glass manufacturing, design, repair, art, and retail. It is used by businesses, artists, bloggers, and communities focused on glass-related products and services. It can also be used more broadly for branding or descriptive purposes due to its open registration policy.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy extensions like .com or .net, .glass offers greater descriptive specificity, making it suitable for entities that want an instantly recognized association with glass. Compared to other niche TLDs such as .art or .tech, .glass is narrower in subject matter but provides a strong industry cue. It does not have the universal recognition of .com but can improve branding within its niche.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Distinctive branding that clearly indicates focus on glass industry and related content

• Open registration with no industry-specific eligibility requirements

• Supports standard domain features including internationalized domain names

Cons

• Less universal recognition compared to legacy TLDs

• Often higher registration and renewal costs relative to common TLDs

• Limited SEO or trust benefit outside niche audiences

Registration Criteria

.glass domains are open for registration by any individual or organization worldwide. Domain names can use letters, numbers, and hyphens (with standard character constraints) and support IDN characters. Domain length ranges from 1 to 63 characters.

Summary

.glass is a descriptive generic top-level domain targeting the glass industry and related sectors while remaining accessible for general use. Operated by Identity Digital, it offers branding opportunities for businesses and individuals seeking a relevant and memorable domain name.