What are your thoughts about the new gTLDs? Are they necessary and do you view them positively or negatively?
What are the advantages of choosing a New gTLD?
The launch of New gTLD domain zones has created new opportunities for entrepreneurs and simplified domain registration. With the increase in available domain options, it has become easier to register a suitable and memorable domain name. This has resolved the issue entrepreneurs faced previously where they had to get creative with their domain names to find an untaken option.
Users can easily understand what kind of website they will be visiting based on the gTLD name. For example, .shop is designated for online stores, .news is for news pages, and so on. Consequently, the page receives more targeted traffic.
Most domains from New gTLD zones are also cheaper than those in national .com or .biz domains because there is greater competition and new domain zones are not as popular yet. And, they make it easier for entrepreneurs to monitor their competitors and navigate their market.
However, there are some downsides to New gTLD. Domain names in niche zones like .bank or .cars are often much more expensive than average, and since the new domain zones are not yet widely used, some users may not remember that a site is in an unconventional domain zone. Despite these disadvantages, it is generally better to choose a less well-known domain zone than to register an unobvious domain name in a popular domain zone.
What was Matt Cutts' response to the claim that new top-level domain zones will rank higher on search engines?
Matt Cutts, a Google engineer, denied the claim that top-level domain zones will receive a more significant weight and higher ranking in search engine algorithms compared to their .com equivalent. In a post on Google, Cutts stated that while Google is trying to rank new dot-brand TLD domains accordingly, there will be no preference toward new TLDs over .com domains. He advised users to not register TLD domains with the expectation of gaining an advantage in search rankings.
I believe that the introduction of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, the availability of new gTLDs expands the options for businesses and individuals to choose domain names that are more closely aligned with their brand, industry, or location. This can help with branding and creating a more memorable online presence. For example, a company in the finance industry might find a .finance domain more relevant and impactful than a traditional .com domain.
However, there are also challenges associated with the proliferation of new gTLDs. From an SEO perspective, it's important to consider the potential impact on search rankings when choosing a new gTLD, as some may be perceived as less trustworthy or authoritative by search engines and users. Additionally, the sheer number of available gTLDs can lead to confusion and dilution of the domain name space, making it harder for users to remember or correctly guess a website's domain.
Whether new gTLDs are necessary depends on the specific needs and goals of the website owner. For some, the right new gTLD can offer a unique and valuable branding opportunity, while for others, sticking with a more established gTLD may still be the best choice for visibility and credibility. It's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision based on the long-term strategy for the website.
New gTLDs are a money grab by ICANN and registries, preying on FOMO. Most are worthless, have zero resale value, and hurt branding with their sketchy rep. I'd never use one for a serious project - stick to .com or ccTLDs. They're a solution in search of a problem.