Generic TLD
.net domains: the early-internet alternative to .com
One of the original six TLDs from 1985. Originally for network-related entities; now a generic alternative to .com when the .com is unavailable.
Quick facts
- Registry
- Verisign
- Introduced
- 1985
- Typical price
- $12.00 – $20.00 / year
What is .net?
.net was introduced in 1985 alongside .com, originally intended for network infrastructure providers. ICANN later opened it as a generic TLD with no eligibility restrictions.
When .net makes sense
.net is a credible fallback when the matching .com is taken — search recall is higher than for newer TLDs because of its 40-year history. Tech companies, ISPs, and developer projects historically gravitate to it.
Famous examples
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Sourceforge (sourceforge.net)
Open-source code hosting.
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Speedtest (speedtest.net)
Internet speed measurement.