The differences between ccTLD, gTLD and ngTLD

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Published on 09.03.2022 by DomainFactory

The new generic top-level domains (ngTLDs) have been around since 2013. This gives website operators the opportunity to design their Internet address differently than with .de, .com or .net. Many brands are already using the potential of these new domain endings. In this article, you will learn what types of top-level domains there are, what is special about ngTLDs and which well-known companies are already using them.


An internet address malta phone data consists of several parts. The TLD (Top Level Domain) refers to the domain extension. For example , df.eu is .eu. The TLDs can be divided into different groups.

Country-specific top-level domains
A ccTDL is a country-specific top-level domain and is often chosen to indicate the geographical location of a website. According to ISO 3166, the code consists of two letters, for example .de, .uk or .us.

Generic top-level domains
A gTLD is a generic top-level domain that has a thematic focus. The first domain endings of this type came onto the market in 1985. The first known URL, symbolics.com, was registered on March 15 of the same year. In addition to .com for commercial, there is .org for organization and .info for information.

New generic top-level domains
ngTLDs are new generic top-level domains that were introduced in 2013. Their diversity is intended to strengthen innovation and competition and offer website operators more choice. Of the 1,930 applications received in response to ICANN's call for proposals, over 1,200 TLDs were approved.

Why choose an ngTLD instead of a gTLD or ccTLD?
The domain ending .com is by far the most popular worldwide: almost 150 million websites have been registered with this ending. The geographic top-level domain .de is represented over 16 million times in German Internet addresses. The other well-known TLDs can also be found in numerous URLs.

If you want to launch a new website, your desired domain may no longer be available with a gTLD or a ccTLD. However, with a new generic top-level domain, you have countless options. Endings such as .online or .blog are easier for prospects and customers to remember. In addition, the new domain endings can say something about your website or company. There are already many well-known brands and institutions that use ngTLDs.

The new top-level domains at a glance – with examples
The new domain endings can be divided into five groups.

Geographical ngTLDs
New generic TLDs such as .berlin, .koeln or .hamburg are suitable for companies, organizations or private individuals who are based in the respective city or who want to advertise with the respective city as a brand. On the website medienstadt.koeln, for example, users can find all the important information about the media industry in the cathedral city. On sbahn.berlin, Deutsche Bahn provides information about local public transport in the federal capital. And in the digital city magazine aino.hamburg, interested parties can find current dates for Hamburg cultural events, concerts and more.