Exploring the .PE Top-Level Domain

The .pe top-level domain (TLD) is the country code TLD of the nation of Peru, a South American country with over 33 million inhabitants. It’s available to both local and foreign entities, with a few exceptions for specific second-level domains (SLDs). 

Popular with organisations and government agencies in the country, the .pe domain represents tens of thousands of web addresses. 

This article will provide all the information you need about the .pe TLD and related SLDs, including registration rules and requirements. 

What Does .PE TLD Represent?

.pe is the ccTLD of Peru, representing the country's digital identity. The registry of .pe domains is maintained and overseen by Red Científica Peruana (RCP) or Peruvian Scientific Network (also known by their website (punto.pe). It has been in charge of the registration policy for over three decades. 

The domain suffix is mostly used by businesses and individuals operating in Peru. As is the case with any other country’s TLD, .pe helps identify websites as belonging to and operative in Peru. 

Timeline of Key Developments of the .PE TLD

Here’s a timeline of the key events in the development and adoption of .pe TLD:

What SLDs Can Be Registered in Peru and What Are the Requirements?

The rules for registration for most SLDs are the same. However, certain SLDs are restricted to specific state institutions. 

The restricted SLDs under .pe TLD are:

• .edu.pe: This SLD and all third-level domains under it are reserved for educational institutes in Peru (schools, vocational schools, universities, etc.). Applicants must provide documentation to prove they’re from an educational institute. 

• .gob.pe: This SLD and all third-level domains under it are reserved for Peruvian government branches and agencies. Registrars must follow the regulations issued by the government.

• .mil.pe: This SLF and all third-level domains under it are reserved for the armed forces of Peru. 

Besides the above restricted SLDs, there are unrestricted SLDs with no extra registration requirement. These include:

• .com.pe

• .net.pe

• .org.pe

• .nom.pe

What Can Be Registered Under the .PE TLD?

Domain names registered under the .pe TLD must follow the syntax rules. Here’s what you’re allowed to use in the domain name with .pe TLDs and SLDs:

• Alphabets: You can use the Latin alphabets (a to z). 

• Numbers: You can use the Arabic numerals (0 to 9).

• Special characters: You can use hyphen (-).

• Internationalised characters: You can use á," "é," "í," "ó," "ú," and "ñ.”

Here are the other rules you should be aware of when registering a .pe domain:

• There’s no minimum length for the domain name.

• The maximum length of a domain name is 63 characters (including Unicode for internationalised characters). 

• Hyphens can’t be used at the beginning or end of the domain name, nor can they be used twice consecutively (--). 

• The following combination of letters are prohibited at all levels: aso, dnso, icann, internic, pso, alac, gac, iana, afrinic, apnic, arin, example, gtld-servers, iab, iana, iana-servers, iesg, ietf, irte, istf, lacnic, latnic, lactad, rfc-editor, ripe, root-servers.

• The following are prohibited at the second level: punto, whois, and www. 

Who Can Register a .PE Domain?

Any natural or legal entity (person or company), whether local or foreign, can register a .pe domain. This means that you don’t need to be a resident of Peru or provide a mailing address from the country to register a .pe domain name. 

Only restricted SLDs require applications from Peruvian institutes. 

How Many .PE Domains Have Been Registered?

According to punto.pe, over 142,000 domain names ending in .pe have been registered as of July 2023. Here’s the number of registrations for the past years:

Why Register a .PE Domain?

Choosing a .pe domain can unlock a treasure trove of opportunities for both local businesses in Peru and international entities aiming to penetrate the Peruvian market. Here are some compelling reasons to consider registering a .pe domain:

• Innovative branding: A .pe domain doesn’t just connect you to Peru; it also opens doors to creative branding opportunities. For instance, you can leverage the .pe extension to craft catchy and concise domain names, like sky.pe or shop.pe, making your website’s address not only memorable but also visually appealing.

• Local appeal: A .pe domain resonates with the Peruvian audience. It acts as a digital handshake, fostering a local connection and affinity, as Peruvians naturally gravitate towards websites with a .pe extension, recognizing them as local or closely affiliated entities.

• SEO benefits: Elevate your visibility on search engines, such as Google, with a .pe domain. Websites with this country-specific TLD are more likely to pop up in localized search results, enhancing your SEO and positioning your site prominently in front of a Peruvian audience.

• Increased availability: Struggling to find an available .com domain due to the commonality of your business name? The .pe domain might just be your savior, offering a broader spectrum of available names, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing a domain that aligns perfectly with your brand.

• Hassle-Free registration: Peru offers a straightforward and expedient registration process for the .pe domain, with no rigid residency stipulations. This makes the registration process not only more accessible but also quick and efficient.

Conclusion

.pe, as the official TLD of Peru, is a good choice for any business, agency, and individual operating in the country. It can also be useful for businesses with a name ending in "PE" who can use the .pe suffix to make their business name their domain, for example, sco.pe. Registering a .pe domain is simple, with many available names.