History of the TLD .global

.global is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced through ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was approved in 2014 and delegated to the DNS root zone the same year. General public registrations opened later in 2014. During its rollout, name collision issues were temporarily addressed due to the common use of the term “global” in internal networks. The TLD was originally operated by Dot Global Domain Registry Limited and later transitioned to Identity Digital Limited.

Main Use and Industry Position

.global is intended for entities with international or global branding aims. It communicates worldwide presence and is suitable for businesses, organizations, startups, and individuals seeking to signal global reach. It is a broad-use TLD not tied to a geographic region or specific sector.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy extensions like .com, .net, or country code TLDs, .global offers a distinct positioning for global identity rather than commercial or regional identity. Unlike niche gTLDs, it has broad applicability. Its adoption is lower than legacy TLDs but provides branding differentiation.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clearly signals a global or international presence

• No registration restrictions allowing broad eligibility worldwide

• Supports DNSSEC for added DNS security

Cons

• Lower recognition than legacy TLDs such as .com

• Potentially higher registration and renewal costs than established extensions

• Adoption levels smaller compared to top generic TLDs

Registration Criteria

.global does not impose specific eligibility restrictions. Any individual or organization can register a .global domain.

Summary

.global is a generic top-level domain launched in 2014 for entities aiming for a global brand or international reach. It is open for public registration without eligibility restrictions and supports modern DNS security practices. Adoption is modest compared to legacy extensions but it remains a viable choice for global positioning.