.gg
| Introduced | 7 August 1996 |
|---|---|
| TLD type | Country code top-level domain |
| Status | Active |
| Registry | Island Networks |
| Sponsor | Island Networks |
| Intended use | Entities connected with Guernsey |
| Actual use | Websites in Guernsey, as well as gaming, esports and gambling websites |
| Registration restrictions | None |
| Structure | Registrations are directly at second level or under second level generic categories |
| Documents | T&C |
| Dispute policies | DRS |
| DNSSEC | Yes |
| Registry website | Island Networks |
.gg is the country code top-level domain for the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The domain is administered by Island Networks, who also administer the .je domain for neighbouring territory Jersey.[1] The domain was chosen as other possible codes were already allocated. Nigel Roberts and Laurie Brown, co-founders of Island Networks, created the .gg and .je domains in 1996 by proposing them to Jon Postel of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.[1][2][3] In the late 2000s, there was an increase in usage of the domains by local companies, with there being about 10,000 .gg and .je domain names by 2009.[3]
Usage in video games
Multiple video games, streamers and esports websites use this domain because "gg" is a common initialism used in multiplayer video games as an abbreviation for the phrase "good game", usually said at the end of a match.[2][4] For example, the VoIP application Discord, commonly used with multiplayer games, uses the domain discord.gg as a redirect to their main website, discord.com, as well as for Discord server invite links.[5] Other websites also use the .gg domain, such as fortnite.gg;[2] emoji.gg, which provides emojis for Discord;[citation needed] start.gg,[5] an eSports platform; wiki.gg, a wiki hosting service;[citation needed] and cloudbase.gg,[5] which keeps tracks of games availability in cloud gaming services.
Second-level domains
Names have been registered principally directly at second level, but the following legacy sub-domains are still open for registration:
- .co.gg: commercial/personal domains
- .net.gg: Internet service providers and commercial
- .org.gg: organizations (free to local good causes)
See also
References
- ^ a b "Channel Islands internet domains block suicide promotion". BBC. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Gamers using .gg domain name 'good for Guernsey', says creator". BBC. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Local firms promote their island on the internet". Guernsey Press. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Allemann, Andrew (2021-10-28). "Investing in .gg domains is going to become more expensive". Domain Name Wire. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
- ^ a b c Thorpe, Amy (21 September 2023). "What's in a domain name?". Rest of World. Retrieved 10 July 2024.