History of the TLD .rehab

.rehab is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced through ICANN’s New gTLD Program. The TLD was officially delegated into the DNS Root Zone on 4 June 2014. It was created to serve individuals, organizations, and businesses connected to rehabilitation services and recovery-related activities.

Main Use and Industry Position

.rehab is positioned as an industry-specific domain extension for the rehabilitation and recovery sector. It is used by rehabilitation centers, addiction recovery programs, physical therapy clinics, mental health support services, wellness professionals, recovery communities, and content creators focusing on recovery topics. The extension clearly signifies the nature of services or content offered, enhancing relevance and recognition.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to generic domains such as .com or .net, .rehab provides a niche, industry-specific identity that immediately conveys focus on rehabilitation and recovery services. Unlike broad TLDs, it targets a specific community similar to other purpose-driven TLDs like .health or .clinic. While broader TLDs offer universal recognition, .rehab improves brand positioning and relevance for rehab-related services.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Strong industry relevance and recognizability

• Signals specialization in rehabilitation and recovery services

• May improve user trust and search relevance for rehab-related content

Cons

• Less universal recognition than legacy TLDs such as .com

• Potentially higher registration costs compared to generic TLDs

• Niche focus may limit branding flexibility outside rehab context
  
  

Registration Criteria

.rehab is generally open for registration by any individual or organization without specific restrictions on registrant eligibility.

Summary

.rehab is a generic top-level domain established in 2014 to provide a dedicated namespace for the rehabilitation and recovery sector. It supports inclusive registration policies and allows individuals and organizations to secure domain names that immediately communicate their focus on rehab and related services.