In a URL such as example.org, .org is the top-level domain (TLD)—the final part of the domain name. It was named for “organization,” but today it is open to anyone, including individuals and businesses. A .org address does not by itself prove that a site is a nonprofit or that it is trustworthy.
What does .org represent in a URL?
A domain name is made up of labels separated by dots. The label at the far right is its top-level domain. In www.icann.org, for example, .org is the TLD. IANA classifies .org as a generic top-level domain (gTLD). IANA’s .org delegation record identifies its current classification and sponsoring organization.
The name reflects the suffix’s historical intent: “organization.” It does not set a current eligibility rule. IANA’s report on the .org domain describes the original generic TLD categories, including .org for organizations.
Can anyone register a .org domain?
Yes. Public Interest Registry (PIR), which sponsors the .org registry, says in its FAQ that “.ORG is an open and unrestricted domain” and anyone may register and use one. It is not limited to nonprofits or organizations with a particular legal or tax status.
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Nonprofits, clubs, schools, families, individuals, and for-profit companies can all use a .org domain. The suffix does not verify an organization’s identity, charitable status, or mission.
Who operates .org, and how do you register one?
The organizations involved have different roles: IANA publishes root-zone delegation information, PIR sponsors and operates the .org registry, and registrars provide the public channel for registering domain names. PIR explains that the public registers through a registrar rather than directly with the registry. IANA’s Root Zone Management page describes the delegation records it maintains.
- Choose a domain registrar and search for the
.orgname you want. - If the name is available, follow the registrar’s instructions to register it. The registrar handles the public registration; you do not register directly with PIR.
When was .org created?
IANA’s delegation record lists 1985-01-01 as the registration date for .org. Its historical report describes registry operations moving from VeriSign to PIR at the end of 2002. These dates describe the domain’s history and operation; they do not imply that present-day registrants must belong to a particular kind of organization.
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