History of the TLD

.shop is a generic top-level domain created for the e-commerce and online retail sector. It was delegated into the DNS root zone in May 2016 and became publicly available in September 2016 after a competitive ICANN new gTLD process. GMO Registry, a Japan-based registry operator, won the rights to operate the TLD through an ICANN auction. Over time .shop has grown into one of the most recognisable retail-focused extensions.

Main Use and Industry Position

This extension is used by online stores, brands selling products or services, marketplaces, and any business that wants to signal commercial intent directly in the web address. It is especially suited to e-commerce businesses that want clear branding and to communicate a retail focus to customers.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with general purpose TLDs like .com or .net, .shop gives immediate context that a site is related to buying and selling. It sits alongside other retail-oriented extensions such as .store, but the word “shop” is widely understood globally. Legacy TLDs remain more familiar to the broad public but do not convey specific industry focus.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clear signal that a domain is for an online store or retail business

• Strong branding for e-commerce and product businesses

• Open registration with no special eligibility

Cons

• Less universal recognition than legacy TLDs like .com

• Some audiences unfamiliar with new gTLDs may perceive lower trust

• Renewal pricing can vary and sometimes increase over time
  
  

Registration Criteria

There are no specific restrictions on who can register .shop domains beyond standard naming rules. Any individual or organisation can register on a first-come, first-served basis.

Summary

.shop is a well-established generic TLD designed for the retail and e-commerce ecosystem. It offers direct branding relevance for online selling, is widely adopted by businesses of varying size, and operates under standard gTLD policies with open availability.