History of the .net

.net is an original and classic TLD launched in 1985 alongside .com, .org, .edu, and .gov. TLDs. The term net stems from the word network, as its original use was intended for network providers and companies with larger infrastructures.

Over time, the use of .net extended to other types of businesses, including tech companies, service providers, digital and IT services. It is currently the fifth most popular top-level domain in the world with over 13 million registrations.

Main Use & Industry Position

While .com remains the most popular domain, .net is often registered as a secondary counterpart for brand protection, with companies redirecting it to the brand's .com site.

Comparison to Other TLDs

• .com is considered the default domain as it is more recognized and trusted globally.
• .org is primarily used by non-profit organizations, although other types of organizations can also use it.
• .io is popular with tech startups, though technically it is also a country code for the British Indian Ocean Territory.
• .net nicely lands in the zone of a professional, tech-friendly enterprise.

Pros and Cons of .net

• Trusted and credible due to its long history.
• Easier availability of short or desirable names compared to .com.
• Well-suited for tech-focused businesses.
• Less memorable for the average consumer compared to .com.
• Some users may default to typing .com by habit, causing potential traffic loss.

.net remains a respected domain choice, particularly for companies in the tech and network services sectors.