History of the TLD

.nl was introduced in 1986 as the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Netherlands. It has grown to become one of the most popular ccTLDs in Europe, widely adopted by Dutch businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Main Use & Industry Position

.nl is primarily used by Dutch businesses, organizations, and individuals. It provides strong local recognition and credibility, making it the go-to domain for websites targeting the Netherlands.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to .com or .net, .nl emphasizes Dutch identity and local trust. While less globally recognized than .com, it is highly authoritative within the Netherlands and widely adopted for commercial and personal use.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Strong local recognition and credibility
  

• High adoption for both businesses and individuals
  

• Short, memorable, and brandable
  

Cons

• Limited recognition outside the Netherlands
  

• Premium or short names may be expensive
  

• Less suitable for international branding
  
  

Registration Criteria

.nl is the ccTLD for the Netherlands and can be registered by anyone globally. Dutch businesses often prefer it for local branding, while international companies may use it to target the Netherlands.

Summary

.nl is the Netherlands’ country-code domain, offering strong local trust and recognition for businesses and individuals, with limited international visibility.