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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is a category of top-level domain in the Domain Name System (DNS). In icann.org, .org is the gTLD; icann is the second-level domain name. General-purpose examples include .com, .net, .edu and .org, while newer examples include .futbol, .istanbul and .pizza.
What does “top-level domain” mean?
A domain name is made of labels separated by dots. The top-level domain (TLD) is the rightmost label, at the end of the name. In icann.org, that label is org. A gTLD is a category of TLD, not the entire domain name. ICANN defines it as the class that includes general-purpose domains such as .com, .net, .edu and .org.
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How the labels fit together
- TLD: The rightmost label, such as
.orginicann.org. - Second-level domain: The label immediately to the left of the TLD; in
icann.org, it isicann. - Subdomain: An additional label placed before the second-level name; in
events.icann.org, it isevents.
These labels have different roles in the name. The word “generic” describes the TLD’s category; it does not mean that the whole domain is generic or that the name is available to register.
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A country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a separate category of TLD associated with a country or territory, such as .uk or .br. A gTLD belongs to the generic category, which includes familiar names such as .com and .org as well as newer strings such as .pizza. The distinction is about classification, not about which kind of domain name appears more prominent in a web address. ICANN’s TLD overview describes these categories and the DNS naming hierarchy.
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Does registering a domain mean operating a gTLD?
No. Registering an ordinary domain name means obtaining a name beneath an existing TLD. Applying to operate a gTLD means seeking to run the registry for a top-level domain, a substantially different undertaking that supports DNS operations. ICANN puts the distinction plainly: “While individuals and organizations can register a domain name, the process of applying for a gTLD is much more complex.” The statement appears in ICANN’s New gTLD Program FAQ.
For the 2026 application round, ICANN required applicants to use evaluated Registry Service Providers (RSPs), which are assessed for technical aspects of operating a gTLD. That requirement concerns applicants seeking to operate a registry; it is not a step for someone registering a domain name under an existing extension. ICANN’s program overview explains the RSP requirement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the status of ICANN’s 2026 gTLD application round?
ICANN’s 2026 New gTLD application window ran from 30 April through 12 August 2026 and is now closed. ICANN reported that the earlier 2012 round introduced more than 1,200 new gTLDs. The historical figure describes that round; it does not indicate how many applications or new extensions the 2026 round will produce. ICANN’s announcement gives the 2026 dates and the 2012-round figure.
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