History of the TLD

.market is a generic top-level domain introduced in 2014 as part of ICANN’s new gTLD expansion program. It was created to provide a dedicated namespace for market-related entities including commerce platforms, trading services, and online marketplaces.

Main Use and Industry Position

.market is primarily used for online marketplaces, e-commerce stores, retail and wholesale platforms, and other market-oriented services. It signals commercial activity and is positioned as a descriptive and professional option for businesses in the market and trade sectors.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to traditional TLDs such as .com, .net, and .org, .market provides a niche signaling advantage for commerce-related websites. Compared to other industry-specific gTLDs such as .store and .shop, .market has broader applicability across retail, marketplaces, and trading services.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clearly communicates market and commerce-related intent
  

• Broad applicability across retail, marketplaces, and financial services
  

• Better availability of desirable names compared to legacy TLDs
  

Cons

• Less universal recognition and trust compared to .com
  

• Generic meaning may not differentiate businesses in specific niches
  

• Secondary market value generally lower than premium legacy TLDs
  
  

Registration Criteria

.market domains are available for registration by individuals and organizations worldwide with no specific eligibility restrictions.

Summary

.market is a commerce-focused gTLD created in 2014 to serve businesses and platforms connected to markets, trading, retail, and other commercial activities. It provides a descriptive, brand-relevant extension with broad accessibility and standard domain features.