New TLDs: overview of modern domain extensions

Since 2012, hundreds of new domain extensions have been added. Besides classics like .com and .nl, you can now choose from extensions like .shop, .tech, .amsterdam, and many others. In this overview, we discuss the most popular new TLDs and when they're interesting.

What are new TLDs?

In 2012, ICANN (the international organization managing the domain name system) started a program to allow new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs). The result: more than 1,200 new extensions.

Categories of new TLDs:

• Industry-specific: .shop, .store, .tech, .app
• Geographic: .amsterdam, .berlin, .nyc
• Generic: .online, .site, .xyz
• Brands: .google, .apple (only for brand owners)

Popular industry TLDs

.shop and .store

Perfect for webshops and e-commerce. Clear and recognizable for online stores.

Advantages:

• Immediately clear it's a store
• Often short names still available
• Good recognizability

.tech and .io

Popular with tech startups and software companies. .io is particularly popular in the startup world.

Note: .io is technically a ccTLD (British Indian Ocean Territory), but is used globally by tech companies.

.app and .dev

Introduced by Google, specifically for apps and developers. Require HTTPS (extra secure).

Advantages:

• Built-in security (HTTPS required)
• Perfect for app landings and developer portfolios

Geographic TLDs

.amsterdam

For businesses and organizations connected to Amsterdam. Managed by the municipality of Amsterdam.

• Price: approximately €30/year
• Requirement: Connection to Amsterdam (business, resident, or activities)
• Suitable for: Local businesses, tourism, events

.berlin, .london, .paris, .nyc

Similar city TLDs for other major cities. Ideal for local businesses and city marketing.

.eu

Although not a new TLD, .eu is interesting for European businesses. Read more about .eu domains.

Generic new TLDs

.online

One of the most popular new TLDs. Works for virtually any type of website.

• Price: €3-15/year (often promotional price)
• Advantage: Universally applicable
• Disadvantage: Less professional appearance than .com

.site and .website

Similar to .online. Cheap and available, but less recognizable.

.xyz

Cheap and popular, but has a reputation problem due to many spam websites. Not recommended for serious businesses.

Niche TLDs

Pros and cons of new TLDs

Advantages

Availability Short, memorable names that have been taken at .com for decades are often still available with new TLDs.

Branding A .shop or .tech extension immediately tells what you do. This can strengthen your branding.

Price Some new TLDs are cheaper than .com, especially in the first year.

Creativity You can create creative domain names like get.pizza or lets.dance.

Disadvantages

Recognition Many people only know .com and .nl. A new TLD can cause confusion.

Trust Some new TLDs are associated with spam (especially .xyz). This can harm trust.

Email problems Some email systems don't recognize new TLDs well, causing messages to be marked as spam.

Higher renewal prices Note: promotional rates in the first year can increase significantly upon renewal.

SEO and new TLDs

Google has officially confirmed that new TLDs have no SEO disadvantage. They are treated equally to .com or .nl.

But note:

• Geographic TLDs (.amsterdam) can help with local SEO
• Spammy TLDs (.xyz) can indirectly harm through association
• The most important SEO factors remain content and backlinks

When to choose a new TLD?

Choose a new TLD if:

• Your desired .com or .nl isn't available
• The extension perfectly fits your industry (.shop for webshop)
• You want a creative or eye-catching domain name
• You're active in a niche where the TLD is common (tech → .io)

Prefer .nl or .com if:

• You address a broad audience
• Trust and professionalism are crucial
• You don't want to explain what your extension means
• Your email needs to work flawlessly

Price comparison new TLDs

Note the big differences between first year and renewal. Always calculate costs over multiple years.

Tips when choosing

1. Check the renewal price before registering
2. Test recognition - do friends/family understand the extension?
3. Check spam association - search if the TLD isn't known as spammy
4. Also register .nl/.com as brand protection
5. Test email before switching to a new TLD

Also check our TLD selection guide for help making the right choice.