.org domain extension was created for organizations that didn’t match the intent of any other domains available at the time: not commercial, not in networking, not a university, not government, and not military. Over time, .org became exclusively for nonprofits. However, this restriction was removed in August 2019 after the domain name registry was sold to an investment firm.
What does .org mean?
The .org top-level domain stands for “organization” and is primarily used for nonprofit websites such as charities, NGOs, open-source projects, and educational platforms. This extension was one of the original domains established in 1985 and is perceived as stronger and more credible than newer alternatives.
.ORG Domains History
The domain “.org” was one of the original top-level domains established in January 1985. The other early top-level domains were .com, .us, .edu, .gov, .mil, and .net. It was initially intended for nonprofit organizations or organizations of a non-commercial character that did not meet the requirements for other gTLDs.
What makes .ORG domains different?
If you want to do great things online for communities and individuals, then .ORG domains are the original open gTLD. Building the foundation of your online presence on the trusted reputation of.ORG can help you achieve your goals. Websites that use .ORG domains are reputed for conveying trust, providing reliable information, and improving engagement and support.
Internationalized domain names
The .org domain registry allows the registration of selected internationalized domain names (IDNs) as second-level domains. This has been possible for German, Danish, Hungarian, Icelandic, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, and Swedish IDNs since 2005. Spanish IDN registrations have been possible since 2007.
Who can register ORG domains?
Anyone can register org domain names on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whether you are a nonprofit organization, a booming start-up, or an individual, the domain extension is open for anyone to use.ORG, stands as a natural domain, and is a great way to unite communities around a common purpose.
.org TLD is perfect for raising awareness for important issues around the world. By securing this domain name, you send a sign that your site is a leader of integrity and positive change online.
Who usually uses.ORG domains?
With over 10 million registered domain names, the .org domain extension is hugely popular. Unlike what you may think, it’s not only dedicated to international organizations as some companies, projects, local organizations, and groups can use it:
- cultural institutions
- sports teams
- religious, scientific, and civic organizations
- schools
- environmental initiatives
- charities
- open-source software projects
- volunteer groups
- legal services
- other organizations
.ORG vs .COM: Which domain is better?
.COM s primarily used by for-profit businesses, while .ORG is largely used by nonprofit websites.COM and .ORG are two of the world’s largest, most popular, and most recognizable gTLDs. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but one thing is for sure: You won’t have issues with credibility or trust with either. The .ORG domain is just as trusted as its big brother. COM.
When to choose .org
A .org domain extension works well for websites with free, public content or educational, charitable, religious, or scientific resources.
Think of a .org if you’re running a nonprofit or an organization that offers something for free. It’s more prestigious than a .com, so this is one of the few times skipping a .com extension makes the most sense.
Do your best to avoid a .org domain if you run a for-profit.
Who owns .org?
Public Interest Registry (PIR) is the sponsor, and Donuts is the backend provider for the .org domain names.
What was the first .org domain?
The MITRE Corporation was the first group to register the .org domain with mitre.org in July 1985.
.ORG Registration Restrictions
We’ll attempt to auto-renew your domain on its expiration date. We’ll park domains after the first failed billing attempt. If the domain isn’t renewed within 40 days following expiration, we cancel it and remove it from your account.
When registering a .org domain, you must follow specific requirements.
Must use: 1-63 characters
Can use: Letters (a-z characters), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (except in the 3rd or 4th characters of the domain name)
Cannot use: Special characters (e.g., & and #)
Registration length: 1-10 years
Renewal length: 1-10 years