Why .us Isn't Mandatory or Popular in the U.S. as Other Country Code Top-Level Domains

Have you ever noticed the prevalence of .com over .us in the United States, despite the existence of other country code top-level domains (ccTLDs)? To answer this question, we need to delve into the history of domain naming and the specific reasons behind the current state of .us in the U.S.

The Hierarchical DNS System Established by Dr. Jon Postel

Dr. Jon Postel, the ultimate authority in charge of internet domain registration policy until his death in 1998, implemented a very hierarchical system for the Domain Name System (DNS). This system was designed to structure domains as 'areas of authority,' with each level of management responsible for its own subdomains. This model is akin to a modern feudal system, where the King (in this case, Postel) controls the highest domains and subdomains are managed by subordinates.

Following this structure, the .US domain was created, and Postel appointed managers for each of the 50 U.S. states. These state managers then designated county and municipal administrators. For example, to obtain a domain name in the United States, a person from Albany, New York, would need to find and apply to the manager of .NY, who would then handle the subsequent delegation of domain names and email addresses. This hierarchical approach meant that individuals or organizations had to follow a strict and often cumbersome process to obtain a .US domain name.

People Prefer Short Domain Names

The advent of the World Wide Web changed the domain naming landscape dramatically. One of the key lessons we learned is that people prefer shorter domain names. This preference is rooted in the ease of memorization, reducing the administrative hassle of managing longer domain names, and the desire for more common and accessible URLs.

While the .US domain names were precise and detailed, they were often perceived as too long and unwieldy. URLs like sales. or info. were seen as too cumbersome, deterring many from using .US in favor of more concise options like .COM. This shift was particularly noticeable in other parts of the world, where ccTLDs such as .UK (.United Kingdom), .FR (.France), and .IN (.India) became popular. For example, in France and the UK, the ccTLDs have become the go-to choice for many websites, while .US remains less popular in the U.S.

The Dominance of .COM

The .COM domain gained immense popularity due to its versatility and widespread acceptance. It offers a .com or .net or .org structure, making it suitable for various types of organizations and individuals. Additionally, the .COM domain name is recognized globally, which aligns well with the global nature of the internet.

The .COM domain's popularity is further bolstered by its association with major e-commerce and business entities. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have long been using .COM for their primary domain names. This association has helped reinforce the brand and establish .COM as the default choice for web users in the U.S.

The Persistence of .us in the U.S.

Even after .US was liberalized, the perception that it was primarily for U.S. citizens and organizations persisted. This aversion to .US in the U.S. marketplace is deeply ingrained, making it less attractive for many organizations to use.

Furthermore, the .us domain is often seen as a niche market, which may not align with the broader business goals of many U.S. companies. While it offers a level of national identity, the .COM domain's global recognition and versatility make it a more practical choice for most businesses in the U.S.

In conclusion, the .US domain is not mandatory or popular in the U.S. due to the hierarchical DNS system established by Dr. Jon Postel, people's preference for shorter domain names, and the widespread acceptance and dominance of the .COM domain in the U.S. market. These factors have led to a cultural shift where .US is not the preferred choice for most U.S. websites, even as .US remains a valuable option for niche markets and U.S.-specific businesses.