Top Domain TLDs of 2024: A Comprehensive Ranking

The domain name landscape is constantly evolving, with various top-level domains (TLDs) vying for popularity and relevance. In 2024, while some traditional TLDs maintain their dominance, new extensions are gaining traction, reflecting changes in internet usage and business strategies. This analysis provides a detailed ranking of the most popular TLDs in 2024, incorporating market share, registration numbers, and key trends.

1. .com

Market Share: .com continues to be the undisputed leader, holding a significant portion of the global website market. While exact figures vary slightly across sources, it consistently accounts for a substantial share. DomainState.com reports a 70.37% market share as of December 12, 2024, with 154,119,758 registrations, while Statista indicates a 44.4% market share as of August 2024. The discrepancy likely arises from different methodologies and data collection periods. Regardless, .com's dominance is clear. DomainState.com Statista

Registration Numbers: The .com domain name base totaled 159.4 million registrations as of the first quarter of 2024, with 3,661,899 new registrations throughout the year. DNIB

Usage Statistics: Approximately 49.2% of websites were using .com in 2024, further solidifying its position as the most widely used TLD. Coolest Gadgets

Trends: Despite a slight decline in market share from 53.3% in 2022, .com remains the most popular TLD due to its widespread recognition, historical dominance, and universal appeal. It is the preferred choice for businesses and individuals seeking credibility and trust. The slight decline suggests a gradual shift towards more diverse TLD usage, but .com's position as the industry giant remains unchallenged.

2. .org

Market Share: .org holds a smaller but significant market share, primarily used by non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and community projects. DomainState.com reports a 5.03% market share, while Statista indicates a 4.2% market share. DomainState.com Statista

Registration Numbers: There were 11,024,803 registrations for .org domains. DomainState.com

Usage Statistics: .org is ranked second in popularity with a 4.6% share of websites. Coolest Gadgets

Renewal Rate: The renewal rate for .org is notably high at 88.4%, indicating a stable and committed user base. DNIB

Trends: .org continues to be a preferred choice for non-profit and organizational websites, maintaining its position as a trusted domain for such entities. Its high renewal rate reflects the stability and reliability associated with this TLD.

3. .net

Market Share: .net holds a market share of 5.72% according to DomainState.com, while Statista reports a 2.5% market share. DomainState.com Statista

Registration Numbers: There were 12,522,385 registrations for .net domains. DomainState.com The .net domain name base totaled 13.1 million registrations as of the first quarter of 2024. DNIB

Usage Statistics: .net is considered reliable with a trust rating of 3.3. Coolest Gadgets

Trends: Traditionally used by network-related entities, .net remains a popular choice for tech companies and service providers. While less popular than .com, it maintains a significant presence in the domain market.

4. .shop

Market Share: .shop has seen a significant rise in popularity, capturing a 1.59% market share according to DomainState.com. DomainState.com

Registration Numbers: There were 3,484,206 registrations for .shop domains. DomainState.com 721,532 new registrations were recorded by the end of 2024. Namecheap

Trends: The .shop TLD has surged in popularity, becoming a leading choice for e-commerce businesses and online retailers. Its rise is attributed to its clear association with online shopping and relatively cheap first-year registration prices. This TLD reflects the growing importance of e-commerce in the digital landscape.

5. .de (Germany)

Market Share: .de, the country-code TLD (ccTLD) for Germany, holds a 3.5% market share of global websites. Statista

Registration Numbers: There were approximately 26.62 million registered .de domains as of August 2024. Coolest Gadgets

Trends: .de is widely used within Germany and remains one of the most registered ccTLDs globally. It reflects Germany's large internet user base and strong digital economy. Its popularity underscores the importance of local and regional identity in domain registration.

6. .ru (Russia)

Market Share: .ru, the ccTLD for Russia, holds a 3.1% market share of global websites. Statista

Registration Numbers: There were approximately 13.28 million registered .ru domains as of August 2024. Coolest Gadgets

Renewal Rate: The renewal rate for .ru is 75.8%. DNIB

Trends: The .ru TLD is primarily used in Russia and reflects the country's large internet user base. Despite geopolitical issues, it maintains a significant market share, indicating its importance within the Russian-speaking internet community.

7. .br (Brazil)

Market Share: .br, the ccTLD for Brazil, holds a 2.9% market share of global websites. Statista

Registration Numbers: There were approximately 9.08 million registered .br domains as of August 2024. Coolest Gadgets

Trends: .br is popular within Brazil and among businesses targeting the Brazilian market. It reflects the country's growing internet user base and digital economy.

8. .uk (United Kingdom)

Market Share: .uk, the ccTLD for the United Kingdom, holds a 2.4% market share of global websites. Statista

Registration Numbers: There were approximately 23.51 million registered .uk domains as of August 2024. Coolest Gadgets

Trends: The .uk TLD is widely used in the United Kingdom and is favored by businesses and individuals targeting the UK market. Its popularity is supported by the UK's strong internet infrastructure and the shift towards Brexit.

9. .xyz

Market Share: .xyz holds a 1.72% market share according to DomainState.com. DomainState.com

Registration Numbers: There were 3,767,747 registrations for .xyz domains. DomainState.com 519,800 new registrations were recorded in 2024. Namecheap

Trends: Although displaced by .shop, .xyz remains popular due to its affordability and appeal to tech-savvy users and startups. It is known for its low-cost domain registration and versatility.

10. .me

Trends: .me emerged as a top country-code TLD, moving from eighth place in 2023 to first place in 2024. Namecheap The .me TLD is often used for personal branding and creative projects, contributing to its rise in popularity.

Other Notable TLDs

Several other TLDs also hold significant positions in the domain market:

• .jp (Japan): Holds a 2.1% market share, reflecting Japan's strong online presence. Coolest Gadgets
• .it (Italy): Holds a 1.8% market share, indicating Italy's digital growth. Coolest Gadgets
• .fr (France): Holds a 1.7% market share, reflecting France's digital landscape. Coolest Gadgets
• .info: Holds a 1.65% market share, often used for informational websites. DomainState.com
• .online: Holds a 1.38% market share, gaining popularity as a generic TLD. DomainState.com
• .pl (Poland): Holds a 1.18% market share, reflecting Poland's online presence. DomainState.com
• .us (United States): Holds a 1.0% market share. DomainState.com
• .cn (China): The most popular country code TLD with 32.41 million domains. Statista
• .tk (Tokelau): The second most popular ccTLD with 27.54 million domains. Statista

Analysis of Trends

The domain name market in 2024 is characterized by several key trends:

• Dominance of .com: Despite a slight decline, .com remains the most popular TLD due to its historical dominance and widespread recognition. It continues to be the preferred choice for businesses and individuals seeking credibility and trust.
• Rise of New gTLDs: New generic TLDs (gTLDs) like .shop, .xyz, and .online are gaining popularity, offering more diverse and branded domain options. These TLDs appeal to businesses seeking domain names that directly reflect their commercial activities or innovative projects.
• Importance of ccTLDs: Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) like .de, .ru, .br, and .uk continue to grow, reflecting the digital expansion in their respective countries. These TLDs are favored by businesses and individuals targeting specific regional markets.
• Market Share Shifts: The market share of .com is declining slightly, while other TLDs, including ccTLDs and new gTLDs, are seeing marginal increases. This indicates a shift towards a more diverse domain landscape.
• E-commerce Growth: The rise of .shop reflects the increasing importance of e-commerce and the desire for domains that clearly indicate a commercial purpose.
• Personal Branding: The rise of .me highlights the growing trend of personal branding and creative projects, with individuals seeking domains that align with their unique identities.

Conclusion

The domain name market in 2024 is dynamic and diverse, with .com maintaining its dominance while new gTLDs and ccTLDs gain traction. The rise of .shop and the continued popularity of ccTLDs highlight the importance of e-commerce and regional identity in domain registration. The slight decline in .com's market share suggests a gradual shift towards a more varied domain landscape, with businesses and individuals seeking domains that align with their branding and market strategies. Understanding these trends is crucial for anyone navigating the domain name market in 2024.