Recently published is the CENTRstats Global TLD Report Edition 3/2022, which provides an overview of the current status and registration trends of all top-level domains (legacy gTLDs, new gTLDs, and ccTLDs) around the world, with a specific focus on the European ccTLD market.
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One of the highlights from the report states that the European market has an estimated 115 million domain registrations, of which 58% are national ccTLDs, 31% are .com, and 11% are other gTLDs. Interestingly, demand for European ccTLDs has increased over Q3 2022, following a similar pattern from previous years prior to the pandemic. Such an increase is being driven, to some extent, by a reduction in deletions, as opposed to a boost in new domain creations.
Over the past year, median growth was 2.0%, a significant decrease from the six-month average. However, the median renewal ratio has been trending up and currently sits at 84.7%. Furthermore, the report states that registrar (retail) prices of European ccTLD registrations have been increasing over the past 12 months, with a recently recorded median of 10.2 EUR (incl. tax). The rate of parked domains and domains with no web content has remained stable over the quarter at 26% and 28% respectively.
The global market, as stated in the report, is estimated at 359 million domains (in July 2022) for some 1,456 recorded TLDs. Approximately 46% of these domains are attributable to .com, 37% to ccTLDs, and the rest to all other gTLDs. Additionally, the median 1-year growth rate of the top 300 largest TLDs (Global300) was 3.6%, down from its 6-month average. In other groups, rates were 1.9% for ccTLDs in the Asia Pacific region, 2.9% for ccTLDs in Europe, and 5.0% in the top 300 gTLDs, all of which are down from their 6-month average rates.
It is interesting to see how domain registrations fluctuate globally and within specific regions like Europe. With the rise of digital marketing and online businesses, having a domain that resonates with potential customers is becoming increasingly important.
points about the growth of European ccTLDs:
1. Regional regulations and requirements: Some European countries have specific regulations or requirements for businesses and individuals to use their respective ccTLDs. This can include legal or commercial prerequisites that encourage domain retention rather than creation. Compliance with these regulations may necessitate the continuation of existing domains.
2. Brand protection: Many businesses use multiple domain names to protect their brand and prevent others from using similar domain names for malicious purposes or brand dilution. By retaining existing ccTLDs, businesses can ensure that their brand remains secure and protected.
3. Established user base: Existing ccTLDs often have a significant user base, including loyal customers and visitors who are accustomed to accessing websites under those domains. Switching to a new domain could result in potential loss of traffic, SEO rankings, and customer recognition. Therefore, many businesses choose to retain their existing ccTLDs to maintain their established user base.
4. Limited need for new domain names: In some cases, businesses or individuals find that they do not require additional domain names. Once they have registered the domain that best represents their brand or identity, there may be no significant demand for registering additional domains. This lack of demand for new domains contributes to the focus on retaining existing ones.
and:
1. Local language and cultural relevance: European ccTLDs often have extensions that correspond to specific languages or regions, such as .fr for France or .it for Italy. This linguistic and cultural relevance can be a significant factor in domain retention. Businesses and individuals prefer to use extensions that resonate with their target audience, making ccTLDs an attractive choice.
2. Trust and credibility: European ccTLDs have built a reputation for trust and credibility due to stringent registration requirements and strong domain governance. This reputation makes businesses and individuals more inclined to retain their existing ccTLDs rather than switching to other top-level domains that may not carry the same level of trust.
3. Local search engine optimization (SEO): Search engines often prioritize local ccTLDs in search results when users perform geo-specific searches. Retaining a local ccTLD can give businesses an advantage in local SEO rankings, making it a valuable asset and driving the decision to keep existing domains.
4. Regulatory stability: European ccTLDs benefit from the stability of regulatory frameworks that govern their operations. This stability provides reassurance to domain holders, minimizing concerns about sudden changes or disruptions to their online presence. The consistency and reliability of these registries contribute to the preference for retaining existing ccTLDs.
5. Domain brand recognition: Over time, businesses and individuals develop brand recognition associated with their domain names. Changing to a new domain could lead to confusion among customers, loss of brand equity, and potential business disruption. Therefore, many opt to retain their existing ccTLDs to maintain continuity and protect their brand identity.
Overall, the growth of European ccTLDs is driven by a combination of factors like local language relevance, trust and credibility, local SEO advantages, regulatory stability, and the preservation of brand recognition. These factors collectively contribute to the preference for retaining existing domains rather than creating new ones.