History of the TLD

The .international top-level domain (TLD) is a generic domain introduced as part of ICANN's new gTLD program in the 2010s to expand Internet naming options. It was delegated into the DNS root zone in December 2013. The registry is operated by Identity Digital Inc.

Main Use and Industry Position

.international is designed for organizations, businesses, and individuals seeking a web address that signals a global or international presence. It is suitable for global brands, consultancies, import/export businesses, travel and tourism, nonprofits, and multilingual sites.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with legacy TLDs like .com or .org, .international offers clarity for globally focused entities without the saturation of popular extensions. Unlike region-specific TLDs such as .asia or .eu, it is non-geographic and universally applicable. Unlike restricted TLDs such as .law or .edu, it does not impose eligibility barriers.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Descriptive and internationally focused domain extension

• Open registration without eligibility restrictions

• Supports modern DNS features including DNSSEC and WHOIS privacy options

Cons

• Less recognized by mainstream audiences compared to .com

• Potentially higher average registration costs than some alternative extensions

• Does not inherently confer SEO advantage solely by extension choice

Registration Criteria

Anyone globally may register a .international domain on a first-come, first-served basis. No special documentation or eligibility requirements apply beyond standard domain name syntax rules.

Summary

The .international TLD is a versatile option for organizations and individuals seeking a domain that conveys international reach or identity. Managed by Identity Digital, it supports common DNS capabilities and has no restrictive registration policies, making it accessible for a wide range of use cases.