Key Takeaways
- Traditional TLDs like .com still dominate the charts, but new extensions like .xyz continue to gain popularity.
- Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are becoming the new default, with .de, .ch, and .ca leading the way in regional markets.
- Tech-centric TLDs, like .ai, .app, and .dev are also on the rise, which may be driven by the growing tech industry.
While .com still dominates, country- and industry-specific TLDs are quickly gaining momentum. It seems the age-old defaults, like .org and .net, are phasing out and making room for specialized domains, from .xyz to .ai.
To better understand these trends, HostingAdvice spoke with Andrew Merriam, COO of Porkbun, a domain registrar known for its no-frills service.
“In 2025, we’re seeing strength in three key areas: established TLDs, tech-centric TLDs, and country-code TLDs (ccTLDs),” said Merriam. “At Porkbun.com, we’ve consistently seen demand for newer domain extensions, and our users continue to embrace them.”
For a European perspective, we also reached out to Mauro Landolt, Head of Communications at Hostpoint, Switzerland’s largest web hosting provider.
“We always tell our customers that choosing the right domain name is very important from the start,” said Landolt. “[But] it is ultimately up to the customer to decide what they need the domain for and what they should call it.”
When it comes to TLDs, the choice is yours. But if you want to see what’s trending, industry experts have weighed in.
What’s Driving TLD Trends?
The rise of specialized TLDs — whether ccTLDs or tech-centric ones — may be driven by a single factor: The .com space is overcrowded.
With the web turning 35 soon and how easy it’s become to build a website, most short, memorable domains and TLDs are already taken. As a result, new businesses struggle to secure ideal .com addresses.
But these specialized TLDs offer clear branding advantages, said Merriam in an earlier discussion with HostingAdvice.
“These companies want their handle and domain name to match, and they’re able to get the right name by not using a .com,” he said. “I think adoption is happening. Now, new businesses have a .studio or .io domain. The naming and branding options available to new businesses have really just exploded.”
For instance, .ai works for AI companies, .app suits software developers, and .shop signals eCommerce. Geographical locations, like Switzerland for example, use .swiss for official credibility, national identity, or simply identifying where your business is located.
The web is big enough for any and all kinds of TLDs. It just depends on what message you’re trying to send.
1. Traditional TLDs: .com, .org, .co, .info, .xyz
While new TLDs are on the rise, with .inc, .it.com, and .club as some of the hottest trends, Merriam said traditional extensions still reign supreme.
“.com and other well-established TLDs like .co, .info, and .org, which are globally recognized and authoritative, still dominate our registration numbers,” said Merriam.
And one newcomer is also making waves.
“Interestingly, .xyz has now surpassed some of these traditional TLDs, reinforcing our belief that it has firmly established itself as a widely accepted and trusted extension,” Merriam added.
Landolt has observed a similar trend but noted that in Europe, established ccTLDs are gaining momentum: “In Switzerland, classic ccTLDs like .ch, .com, and .de remain the most popular.”
Landolt said that in many European countries, ccTLDs are now seen as just as legitimate and trustworthy as .com on the global stage.
The .de TLD, in particular, has seen significant growth, ranking as the third-most-popular TLD of 2024 with a 3.5% market share among the top 10 million websites.
2. Country-Code TLDs: .swiss, .de, .ca
Landolt shared with us that while .ch remains a dominant ccTLD, .swiss is also climbing the ranks and becoming a viable alternative for European-based businesses.
“The TLD .swiss is being operated by the Swiss government and is often used by users as an alternative to our primary ccTLD .ch if the desired domain name with .ch is already taken,” said Landolt.
ccTLDs, in general, give businesses a regional identity that can better resonate with local audiences — particularly in non-U.S. markets, according to Merriam. He said TLDs like .de and .ca continue to play a crucial role for companies targeting specific regions.
“Their continued strong performance confirms their ongoing importance,” Merriam added.
Landolt also has some advice for European businesses.
“We recommend that customers also secure ccTLDs from neighboring countries in order to protect themselves,” he said. “Especially in Europe with its geographical proximity and the increasing internationalization in business, this is often crucial for the development and protection of one’s own brand.”
3. Tech-Centric TLDs: .ai, .app, .dev
Tech-related TLDs may not have cracked 2024’s top rankings, but they’re gaining momentum, according to Landolt.
“We have noticed that TLDs that are rather short and tech-oriented, such as .ai, .app, .design or .dev, are also becoming increasingly popular,” he said.
Merriam pointed to the web’s expanding tech scene as a driving force behind these TLDs’ success: “Given our strong developer and technical audience, it’s no surprise that .app, .dev, .io, and .ai continue to perform well.”
It makes sense: The job outlook for developers is growing fast, so as startups and tech pros claim their own corners of the internet, they’re gravitating toward domains that actually reflect what they do.
