History of the .healthcare TLD

The .healthcare top-level domain (TLD) was introduced in 2014 as part of ICANN’s expansion of generic top-level domains. It was created to serve entities focused on the healthcare sector and provide a distinct, industry-specific namespace within the internet’s Domain Name System (DNS). The registry for .healthcare is operated by Donuts Inc, now under Identity Digital. The TLD has been active since its delegation by ICANN and is available for public registration following its general availability phase.

Main Use and Industry Position

.healthcare is positioned as a professional TLD specifically for the healthcare industry. It is used by hospitals, medical clinics, individual health practitioners, healthcare technology firms, wellness organisations, pharmaceutical companies, and other entities with a legitimate connection to health and care delivery. The extension signals a site’s relevance to health-related services, increasing credibility and sector recognition.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to generic TLDs such as .com or .net, .healthcare provides a more specific industry focus, improving user trust and domain relevance for health-related audiences. Relative to other healthcare-related TLDs such as .health or .medical, .healthcare conveys a broader sector association rather than a narrower specialist focus. It is more descriptive than general-purpose TLDs and provides clearer context than non-industry extensions.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Strong industry relevance, immediately signalling healthcare association

• Enhances brand trust and professional identification

• Distinguishes healthcare websites from general web space

Cons

• Potentially higher registration and renewal costs than more common TLDs

• Less universally recognised than legacy TLDs such as .com

• May not be appropriate for non-healthcare purposes

Registration Criteria

Registration eligibility for .healthcare is generally open to entities and individuals with a connection to the healthcare sector. Registrars typically expect registrants to operate legitimately within healthcare-related activities, although verification criteria may vary.

Summary

.healthcare is a dedicated generic top-level domain established in 2014 to support online identities for organisations and professionals in the healthcare industry. Managed by Donuts Inc under Identity Digital, it provides a clear, trusted namespace that enhances visibility and sector alignment for healthcare entities. The TLD compares favourably against generic extensions for industry-specific branding, though it carries some cost and recognition trade-offs relative to more established domains.