History of the TLD

The .us domain was introduced in 1985 as the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States. It was created to provide a dedicated namespace for U.S.-based organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Main Use & Industry Position

.us is primarily used by U.S.-based businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals. It is recognized as a credible domain for showing a clear U.S. presence and is often chosen for localized branding and marketing.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to global TLDs like .com or .net, .us emphasizes a U.S. identity and is less widely used internationally. While it is not as commercially dominant as .com, it is trusted for regional and national projects.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clearly indicates a U.S. presence
  

• Trusted for local and national branding
  

• Open registration for U.S. citizens, residents, or organizations
  

Cons

• Less global recognition than .com
  

• Restricted to U.S. presence eligibility
  

• Some preferred names may already be registered
  
  

Registration Criteria

The .us domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States. It can only be registered by U.S. citizens, residents, organizations, or entities with a legitimate U.S. presence. It’s ideal for businesses and individuals looking to emphasize their American identity or market to U.S. audiences.

Summary

.us is a U.S.-focused domain offering credibility and trust for American organizations and individuals, though it is less recognized internationally than .com.