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The Most Popular .US Top Level Domains


Table of Content

Introduction
What is the .US Domain?
Why Should you Choose a .US Domain?
Considerations When Choosing a .US Domain
Is .US a Safe Option?
Where are .US Domains Located Geographically?
What are the Most Popular Domains in the US in 2024?
How to Purchase a .US Domain 
What are the Most Popular .US Websites in the US?
Conclusion


Introduction 

The US holds the title for the highest number of registered domains in the world at over 140 million. However, its own country code extension, .us has not achieved the same prominence.
 
This disparity is primarily because .com effectively functions as a de facto country code for the United States in many ways. Initially, .com, .net, and .org were intended as American extensions and only later came to be viewed globally.
 
Despite this, the .us country code has been a significant extension since its introduction in 1985. It remains an important part of the internet landscape, offering a clear indicator of a website's connection to the United States. While gTLDs like .com are global and unrestricted, ccTLDs such as .us provide a clear way to show a website's geographic origin.
 
In this article, we will explore the .us domain examining its impact, usage, and significance in the digital world. From government and educational institutions to local businesses and personal sites, we will delve into how the .us extension is being utilized and why it continues to be relevant today.
 

What is the .US Domain? 

The .us domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States. It is managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), which oversees its operations and is responsible for selecting an administrator for the .us domain. 
 
There are around 140.4 registered domains in the US with a Global market share of 18.86%. However, .com domain registrations account for 71% of these, with .us trailing far behind at 1.29%, meaning that the .us country code top-level domain (ccTLD) hasn't achieved the same level of registration success as some other ccTLDs. Many people and entities prefer to use .com, .net, .org, and other generic top-level domains over .us. This is largely due to the greater appeal and popularity of generic domains compared to country code domains. Currently, there are just over 1.8 million .us domain registrations compared to about 99.5 million .com registrations in the US.



Figure 1. Comparison of Domain Count by Domain Extension Source: Domain Tools 2024.

There are also significant restrictions on registering a .us domain: to register a .us domain, individuals must be U.S. citizens must either:

  • Be citizens of the United States of America
  • Be residents of the United States of America
  • Be an organization or foreign entity with a presence in the United States of America

Despite its lower registration numbers, the .us domain has been a significant extension since its inception in 1985. It continues to see noteworthy sales. Recent data reveals relatively stable sales volume for .us domains, averaging 376 sales per month over the last year with an average price of about $1,321. Most .us domain sales are under $1,000, though some high-value sales exist, such as drive.us selling for just under $100,000 in 2022 and pioneer.us for $25,000 in March 2023. The most expensive .us domain purchase so far in 2024 has been poloclub.us which was bought for $2000. The average sale price this year is $380.





Figure 2. Highest ranking Sales of .US domains. Source: namebio.com 2024.


Why Should you Choose a .US Domain?

While it is not as common as .com, .net, and .org, registering a .us domain extension along with your web hosting offers many benefits. Here are a few reasons to consider registering a .us domain: 

1) Tap into a Thriving Market

The United States is one of the largest and most dynamic online markets. A .us domain positions your brand to capitalize on this expansive digital economy, connecting you with over 300 million residents whether you’re selling products, offering services, or providing information. 

2) Build Local Trust and Connection

A .us domain helps you establish a strong connection with American customers, who recognize and trust the .us extension. Search engines like Google often prioritize .us websites for US residents, making it easier for your target audience to find you. This enhances your brand’s credibility, driving more traffic, and demonstrates your commitment to serving the US market.

3) Showcase Your American Identity

Emphasize your American roots with a .us domain. It highlights your commitment to operating within the United States, appealing to patriotic customers and those who prefer supporting local businesses.


Considerations When Choosing a .US Domain

 While .us domains offer certain benefits, they do come with a few drawbacks. These include: 

  1. Limited Recognition: The .us domain is not as widely recognized internationally compared to generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .com, .net, and .org. This can limit your website’s global reach and recognition. Furthermore, while .us domains can perform well in local searches within the United States, they may not rank as well in international search results compared to more universally recognized domains.

  2. Potential for Confusion: Users may confuse .us domains with more common .com domains, potentially leading to lost traffic if they mistakenly enter the wrong extension. 

  3. Higher Risk of Spam and Malicious Activity: .us domains are known to be targets for phishing scams and other malicious activities. This association can undermine your site’s credibility and trustworthiness.

  4. Residency Requirements: To register a .us domain, you must be a U.S. citizen, resident, or have a physical presence in the United States. This restriction can complicate the registration process if you do not meet these criteria.

Considering these factors, it might be more beneficial to opt for a widely recognized and versatile domain extension like .com, .net, or .org, especially if you aim to reach a global audience or avoid potential pitfalls associated with .us domains.
 

Is .US a Safe Option?

The .us domain extension is a safe option. In terms of trust, it received a score of 3.3, on a par with .org according to Growthbadger. Interestingly, it should be noted that the .us domain extension is more trustworthy for people outside the US (who gave it a trust rating of 3.5) than people within the US (who gave it a trust rating of 3.2). However, new research has shown that .us domains are among the most prevalent in phishing scams, despite being overseen by the U.S. government and restricted to U.S. citizens or those with a physical presence in the U.S.



Figure 3. Trust ranking of domain extensions Source: Growthbadger 2024.
 

Where are .US Domains Located Geographically?

 78% of .us domains are located in the US, followed by 5% in Australia and 4% in Canada.



Figure 4. Geographic Location of .US Domain Websites. Source: Zonefiles.io 2024.
 

What are the Most Popular Domains in the US in 2024?

 Top Performers:

  • Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) continues to hold the top spot with 873 million visits, despite a decline of 37 million.

  • YouTube (youtube.com) ranks second with 823 million visits, showing a significant increase of 80 million.

  • Amazon (amazon.com) and Reddit (reddit.com) are nearly tied for third place with 412 million and 411 million visits respectively, both seeing substantial growth (42 million and 27 million).

Trending websites:

  • TikTok (tiktok.com) experienced a notable rise, increasing by 19 million visits to reach 114 million.

  • Yelp (yelp.com) saw an 18 million visit increase, totaling 101 million.

  • LinkedIn (linkedin.com) jumped 5 ranks to 21st place with a 2.8 million visit increase, reaching 67 million.

  • HomeDepot (homedepot.com) moved up 2 ranks to 23rd place with a 6 million visit increase, totaling 67 million.

Notable Losers:

  • Pornhub (pornhub.com) dropped 5.3 million visits, now at 161 million.

  • Quora (quora.com) decreased by 2.9 million visits to 147 million.

  • Play.Google (play.google.com) lost 735K visits, now at 54 million.

  • Healthline (healthline.com) saw a decrease of 586K visits, now at 49 million.

  • NIH (nih.gov) experienced a decline of 2.3 million visits, down to 69 million. 

Consistent Performers:

  • Instagram (instagram.com) and Amazon (amazon.com) both saw identical increases of 42 million visits, reflecting robust growth.

  • -NYTimes (nytimes.com) and IMDB (imdb.com) also reported significant traffic gains (20 million and 9.2 million respectively).

Overall, social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are experiencing substantial growth, indicating increasing engagement with multimedia content. E-commerce and review sites such as Amazon, Yelp, and HomeDepot show positive trends, reflecting strong online shopping and review-seeking behaviors. Information and news sites like Wikipedia and NYTimes remain strong, showing continued demand for information and news. Additionally, job and health sites such as Indeed and WebMD maintain steady growth, indicating stable interest in job searching and health information.


How to Purchase a .US Domain 

Purchasing a .us domain extension is straightforward. Start by checking if your desired domain name is available. You'll see whether the name is taken and view a few alternative options. Once you've chosen a name, you can register your .US domain by selecting a plan that meets your requirements.



Figure 5. Top Ranking Websites in the US by monthly traffic. Source: Ahrefs April 2024.



Figure 6. Most Popular Websites by % Share. Source: Statista 2024.


What are the Most Popular .US Websites in the US?

There isn't a readily available list that ranks the most popular .us websites. This is partly because the .us domain is not as widely used as .com, and popularity data for .us sites is not as easily accessible.
However, there are several well-known websites using the .us domain extension. Here is a selection of the most popular showing their monthly traffic:

  • zoom.us: it has the highest number of traffic in the US for a .us domain. According to Ahrefs, it ranks 246th for website traffic in the US with 36m, although it is ranked 50th by Similarweb with 740.6M (desktop and mobile) visits per month.

  • band.us: an integrated group communication service with 11.1 million visits per month.

  • buyma.us: an online fashion store for men and women with 925.7 monthly visits.

  • imageshack.us: An image hosting service with 301.8K visits per month.

  • about.us: The official website of the .us domain registry with 24.2K visits per month.

  • park.us: Provides information on National Parks across the U.S. by state with 7.7k visits per month.


Conclusion

Although the .us domain serves as the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States, it has not achieved the same prominence as .com, .net, or .org. However, it remains a significant part of the internet landscape, offering a clear indicator of a website's connection to the United States, providing benefits such as building local trust and showcasing American identity.

Despite its lower registration numbers, the .us domain continues to be relevant for certain U.S.-based entities, such as zoom.us and buyma.us, demonstrating stable sales and usage in various sectors. While it may not rival the ubiquity of .com, it remains a vital part of the internet landscape, providing unique advantages for entities focused on the U.S. market. Its continued use by prominent websites underscores its enduring significance.