History of the TLD

.hospital is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced under ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was delegated in 2016 and became generally available in 2017. It was created to provide a dedicated online namespace for hospitals, healthcare institutions, and related organizations.

Main Use and Industry Position

.hospital is intended for hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and other healthcare service providers. It signals trust and legitimacy in healthcare services and is used by hospital networks, specialized departments, and patient care organizations.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to general TLDs like .com or .org, .hospital is highly specific to the healthcare industry. Unlike broader medical-related TLDs such as .health or .medical, it specifically identifies hospital-level facilities and services. Adoption is narrower than generic TLDs, but it offers stronger industry relevance.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Highly recognizable as healthcare related

• Enhances brand relevance for hospitals and medical facilities

• Supports standard security practices including DNSSEC

• Generally available for registration without restrictive requirements

Cons

• Less widely known than .com or .org

• Potentially higher registration costs

• Authority perception may need clarification for some audiences

Registration Criteria

Open to all registrants with no strict eligibility restrictions enforced by the registry. Individual registrars may provide guidance or recommendations for healthcare organizations.

Summary

.hospital is a dedicated gTLD for hospitals and healthcare organizations. It provides industry-specific identification online, supports security standards, and is managed by Ruby Pike, LLC through Identity Digital. It offers targeted relevance in the healthcare sector and is suitable for hospitals seeking a credible online presence.