History of the TLD

.kim is a generic top level domain first made active on January 23 2014 as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was introduced to provide a unique namespace for individuals and entities associated with the name Kim, which is one of the most common surnames globally.

Main Use and Industry Position

.kim serves as a versatile gTLD designed for personal branding, family sites, and businesses, particularly those linked to the surname Kim or cultural identity projects. It is open for registration by any party and is used for personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and culturally focused projects.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy extensions like .com and .net, .kim is more niche and personal. It does not have the broad commercial recognition of .com but offers branding value for name‑centric or culturally oriented domains. Unlike country code TLDs, .kim has open public registration similar to many new gTLDs.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Unique branding and personal identity opportunity

• Open registration for anyone globally

• Short memorable domain space that is less saturated than legacy TLDs

Cons

• Lower universal recognition than .com

• Utility may be limited outside name or cultural uses

• Market adoption remains smaller compared to mainstream TLDs

Registration Criteria

There are no specific eligibility restrictions for .kim domains. They are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis to anyone wishing to register. Standard domain rules apply for character set and length.

Summary

.kim is a generic top level domain introduced in 2014 under ICANN’s new gTLD initiative. It targets personal use by individuals or families with the name Kim but is open to broader registration. The extension provides a memorable namespace for personal branding, blogs, portfolios, and culturally focused sites. Its relaxed eligibility and clear identity positioning differentiate it from many traditional and country‑specific TLDs.