What are ccTLDs? Why Do CCTLD Matter?

Updated by Chima Mmeje — November 21, 2024.

Probably most recognizable as the letters after the final period in a domain name (e.g., the “mx” in www.example.mx), a ccTLD shows users and search engines in what country, sovereign state, or dependent territory a website is registered — and usually, by extension, where in the world searchers who will find this site relevant reside. The domain name system (DNS) serves as a structured hierarchy that facilitates internet navigation and domain registration, playing a foundational role in organizing and classifying websites on the internet.

Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) categorize general types of websites, services, or products and are distinct from country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) as they are not tied to any particular nation or geographic area.

In each of the following examples, the ccTLD is bolded:

• http://www.sample.fr (France)
• http://www.sample.co.uk (United Kingdom)
• http://sample.com.eu (European Union)
• http://sample.中国 or http://sample.cn (China)

Country code TLDs use the ISO 3166-1 country codes except in a few rare cases, where ASCII identifiers are used instead (for instance, .uk instead of .gb). In some cases (including Arabic and Chinese), TLDs using non-Latin characters are also available — these are called internationalized country code top-level domains (IDN ccTLDs or ccIDNs). Generic TLDs like .com, .net, and .org are significantly more prevalent compared to ccTLDs, with a majority being .com domains among the 233 million total TLDs.

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are distinct in several ways that set them apart from other top-level domains. Firstly, ccTLDs are always two letters long, derived from the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes. This unique format ensures that each ccTLD is specific to a particular country or territory, making it easy to identify the geographic association of a website.

Another key characteristic of ccTLDs is their management by a Network Information Center (NIC) within the respective country or territory. The NIC is responsible for the registration and administration of domain names under its jurisdiction, setting policies and procedures to ensure proper use and management of these domains.

Additionally, ccTLDs can be used to signify a specific theme or genre of content. For instance, the .edu ccTLD is designated for educational institutions, while .gov is reserved for government agencies. This thematic use of ccTLDs helps establish trust and credibility with users seeking particular types of content or services.

Important in international SEO, ccTLDs are the single strongest way to show search engines and users that site content is specifically targeted to a certain country or region — but, importantly, NOT specifically a certain language. When a site uses a ccTLD, Google assumes that site (and all the content on it) is specifically relevant to the geographic area targeted by the ccTLD and should appear on SERPs in that area. Compared to generic domains like .com, country domains offer localized relevance, which can significantly improve SEO ranking in the targeted region, especially when generic domains are often unavailable.

The net result? If example.fr, example.us, and example.com are equal in quality, authority, trustworthiness, and other optimizations, example.fr will likely rank better in a French user’s SERP than example.us or example.com.

Although the majority of ccTLDs are associated with content specific to their corresponding country or region, some webmasters have started using country codes like ".me" and ".tv" as generic web addresses. As a result, Google has, over time, decided to treat some of those ccTLDs as generic country code top-level domains (gccTLDs) rather than ccTLDs. But, Google's former Head of Webspam Matt Cutts advises caution if you decide to use a ccTLD that is not already considered a gccTLD because your content could be considered geotargeted (which could affect your global search rankings). You can find a list of the country codes Google considers gccTLDs (and are thus safer to use universally) on this page.

Internationalized country code top-level domains (IDN ccTLDs) are a special type of ccTLD that allows the use of non-ASCII characters in domain names. This means that domain names can be registered in various languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, making the internet more accessible to non-English speakers.

Implemented by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) in 2018, IDN ccTLDs enable the creation of domain names that are culturally and linguistically relevant. For example, the .中国 (China) IDN ccTLD is specifically targeted at Chinese-speaking users, providing a more intuitive and localized web experience.

By allowing domain names in native scripts, IDN ccTLDs play a crucial role in enhancing the global reach and inclusivity of the internet, ensuring that users from diverse linguistic backgrounds can navigate the web in their preferred language.

The most common use case for ccTLDs is to “internationalize” website content, and using a ccTLD is the strongest signal you can send a search engine that your content focuses on a specific country. Internationalized domain names (IDNs) allow the inclusion of non-Latin characters, enhancing localization and accessibility for users in various regions.

Country code TLDs can be useful in the right situations, but they do come with a few caveats:

• Say, for example, you’re the owner of both www.tinydancinghorse.fr and www.tinydancinghorse.be. Because they are seen by search engine crawlers as two entirely separate sites, any link equity passed to one ccTLD site stays there — it does not also impact the other site. So, if you’re the owner of both sites, you’ll need to build up the authority of each ccTLD separately.
• It can be more expensive to purchase and maintain all of the ccTLDs that are relevant to your business. If you have extensive resources this might not be an issue, but to get around this some webmasters choose to use subdirectories and/or subdomains to direct users from different countries to the appropriate content for them.
• Depending on the ccTLD, someone seeking to register a domain may be required to be affiliated (as a citizen or otherwise) with the country to qualify to use that ccTLD. Here’s a list of most of those restrictions (check out the “Notes” column).

How to Get a ccTLD

Acquiring a ccTLD involves registering your desired domain name with a registrar accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Most registrars offer a search service to help you find available domain names, making the registration process straightforward once you identify an open name.

However, it’s important to be aware that some ccTLDs come with specific registration requirements or restrictions. For instance, certain ccTLDs may require a local presence or be limited to specific types of organizations. Before attempting to register a ccTLD, ensure you understand and meet the necessary criteria for the domain you are interested in.

By following these steps and adhering to the guidelines, you can successfully register a ccTLD that aligns with your geographic and business needs.

Keep learning

• The International SEO Checklist Renowned international SEO expert Aleyda Solis walks you through a comprehensive checklist for making your site show in SERPs around the world.
• SEO Guide: International Versions of Websites Danny Dover weighs in on the pros and cons of ccTLDs, subdirectories, and subdomains.
• Where to Host and How to Target Rand Fishkin walks you through several geotargeting options.
• IANA's List of ccTLDs Comprehensive list of ccTLDs including information about who administers them.
• Geotargetable Domains Google's list of gTLDs, regional top-level domains, and gccTLDs.