What are the categories of domain names?

DomainCn
15 Oct 2025 09:54:32 AM
Every website has a unique domain name that makes it easy to remember and access. However, did you know that domain names are categorized? Today, let's discuss the classification of domain names, as well as the characteristics and uses of e
What are the categories of domain names?

Every website has a unique domain name that makes it easy to remember and access. However, did you know that domain names are categorized? Today, let's discuss the classification of domain names, as well as the characteristics and uses of each category.

1. Top-level Domain (TLD)

The top-level domain (TLD) is the topmost part of the domain name system and is typically the last part of a web address, such as ".com," ".org," and ".net." Top-level domains can be divided into several categories:

Generic Top-level Domains (gTLDs): These domain names are the most common and include ".com," ".org," and ".net." They have no specific purpose and can be registered by anyone. For example, ".com" is often used for commercial websites, while ".org" is often used by non-profit organizations.

Country Code Top-level Domains (ccTLDs): These domain names are based on the code of a specific country or region, such as ".cn" for China and ".uk" for the United Kingdom. These domain names are often used to indicate a website's association with a specific country or region.

New Top-level Domains (nTLDs): In recent years, with the development of the internet, many new top-level domains have emerged, such as ".app," ".blog," and ".shop." These new domain names offer businesses and individuals more options, especially if traditional domain names are already registered.

2. Second-Level Domain Names

The second-level domain name is the part that comes before the top-level domain name and is typically the second part of a website address. For example, "abc.example.com" is a second-level domain name. Second-level domain names are typically created by domain registrants to organize and manage different sections of a website.

Subdomains: A key use of second-level domain names is creating subdomains. Subdomains can be used to distinguish different features or areas of a website, such as a blog, store, or forum.

3. Third-Level Domain Names and Below

The third-level domain name is the part that comes before the second-level domain name and is typically used for more detailed categorization. For example, in "shop.blog.example.com," "shop" is the third-level domain name. While third-level domain names are less common than second-level domain names, they can help websites better organize content.

4. Dynamic vs. Static Domain Names

Although this isn't a formal classification, in some cases, we can distinguish domain names based on the type of content on a website:

Dynamic domain names: These domain names are typically connected to a database, and content is generated in real time based on user requests. For example, the URL of an e-commerce website's product page changes dynamically as users search for different products.

Static domain names: Static domain names point to fixed web content, typically an HTML file. The content does not change depending on the user's request.

5. Special-Purpose Domain Names

There are also special-purpose domain names, often designated for specific industries or purposes. For example: Educational domain names (.edu): These are reserved for educational institutions in the United States and are only available to qualified schools. Government domain names (.gov): These are reserved for government agencies to ensure the authenticity and trustworthiness of their information. Military domain names (.mil): These are reserved for military organizations.

Disclaimers:

Domaincn.com Committed to providing fair and transparent reports. This article aims to provide accurate and timely information, but should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Due to the rapidly changing market conditions, we recommend that you verify the information yourself and consult a professional before making any decisions based on this information.