What is .io Domain? and Why it is Popular in the IT Field

Published: 18 Jul, 2023

A domain name is a unique identifier that allows people to find and access your website on the internet. A domain name consists of two or more parts, separated by dots. The last part of a domain name is called a top-level domain (TLD), which indicates the category or purpose of the website. For example, .com is a TLD for commercial websites, .org is a TLD for organizations, and .edu is a TLD for educational institutions.

One of the TLDs that has gained popularity in recent years is .io domain, which is a country code TLD (ccTLD) for British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. However, .io is not only used by websites related to BIOT, but also by many technology, gaming, and start-up companies around the world. In this article, we will explain what .io domain stands for, why it is so popular in the IT field and with tech start-ups, how toregister a .io domain, and answer some frequently asked questions about .io domains.

 

What does .io stand for?

The letters io in .io domain are an abbreviation for input/output, which is a common term in computer science. Input/output refers to the process of transferring data between a computer and an external device, such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, etc. Input/output also describes the communication between different parts of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, disk, etc.

Because of its association with input/output, .io domain has become a popular choice for websites that deal with technology, gaming, and start-up fields. Many tech companies use .io domain to showcase their products or services that involve data processing, software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, etc. Some examples of tech websites that use .io domain are:

• codepen.io: A web development platform that allows users to create and share HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code snippets.
• glitch.io: A web development platform that allows users to create and host web applications using Node.js.
• github.io: A web hosting service that allows users to publish web pages using GitHub repositories.

Similarly, many gaming websites use .io domain to attract players who are interested in online multiplayer games that involve input/output interactions. Some examples of gaming websites that use .io domain are:

• agar.io: A game where players control cells that grow by eating other cells or pellets.
• slither.io: A game where players control worms that grow by eating other worms or glowing orbs.
• diep.io: A game where players control tanks that shoot other tanks or shapes.

Moreover, many start-up companies use .io domain to convey their innovation and creativity in their respective fields. Some examples of start-up websites that use .io domain are:

• buffer.io: A social media management platform that helps users schedule and analyze their posts.
• canva.io: A graphic design platform that helps users create and edit images, logos, flyers, etc.
• stripe.io: A payment processing platform that helps users accept and manage online payments.

 

Why is .io so popular in the IT field and with tech start-ups?

There are several reasons why .io domain is so popular in the IT field and with tech start-ups. Some of the advantages of .io domain are:

• Short, catchy and memorable: .io domain is only two letters long, which makes it easy to remember and type. It also sounds catchy and cool, which can help attract attention and interest from potential customers or users.
• Easy to find and register: Unlike some other TLDs that are already saturated or restricted, .io domain is still relatively available and open for anyone to use. This means that you have a higher chance of finding and registering your desired domain name with .io extension.
• Associated with innovation and creativity: As mentioned earlier, .io domain is widely used by technology, gaming, and start-up companies that are known for their innovation and creativity in their respective fields. By using .io domain, you can signal to your audience that you are also part of this community and that you have something new and exciting to offer.
• SEO-friendly and rank well on Google: According to some studies , .io domain performs well on Google search results, especially for keywords related to technology or gaming. This is because Google considers the relevance and quality of the content on the website more than the TLD itself. Therefore, if you have a website with .io domain that provides valuable and relevant content to your target audience, you can rank well on Google and drive more organic traffic to your website.

However, there are also some disadvantages or challenges of using .io domain. Some of them are:

• Expensive compared to other domains: .io domain is more expensive than some other TLDs, such as .com or .net. The average price for a .io domain is around $35 per year, while the average price for a .com domain is around $10 per year . This means that you have to pay more to register and renew your .io domain every year.
• Not widely recognized by the general public: Although .io domain is popular among the tech-savvy and gaming enthusiasts, it is not very well-known by the general public. Some people may not be familiar with what .io stands for or how to pronounce it. This may cause some confusion or misunderstanding when you try to promote your website or brand with .io domain.
• Potential legal or ethical issues with BIOT: As mentioned earlier, .io domain is a ccTLD for British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. However, BIOT has a controversial history and status, as it was forcibly depopulated by the British government in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for a US military base. The native inhabitants of BIOT, known as the Chagossians, have been fighting for their right to return to their homeland ever since. Some critics argue that using .io domain is unethical or insensitive, as it supports the British government’s claim over BIOT and ignores the plight of the Chagossians.

 

How to register a .io domain?

If you are interested in registering a .io domain for your website, you need to follow these steps:

• Choose a reliable domain registrar that offers .io domains: A domain registrar is a company that sells and manages domain names. There are many domain registrars that offer .io domains, but you need to choose one that is trustworthy, reputable, and affordable. Some of the factors that you should consider when choosing a domain registrar are:
  • Price: Compare the prices of different domain registrars and look for discounts or promotions. Also, check the renewal fees and the extra services that are included in the price, such as WHOIS privacy, email forwarding, DNS management, etc.
  • Customer service: Look for a domain registrar that has a responsive and helpful customer service team that can assist you with any issues or questions that you may have regarding your domain name.
  • Security: Look for a domain registrar that has a secure and reliable platform that protects your personal and financial information from hackers or fraudsters. Also, check if they offer SSL certificates, which are digital certificates that encrypt the data between your website and your visitors’ browsers.
• Search for the availability of your desired domain name: Once you have chosen a domain registrar, you need to search for the availability of your desired domain name with .io extension. You can use the domain finder tool on the domain registrar’s website to check if your preferred domain name is available or not. If it is available, you can proceed to the next step. If it is not available, you can try some alternatives or variations of your domain name until you find one that is available.
• Select the domain name and add it to your cart: After you have found an available domain name with .io extension, you need to select it and add it to your cart. You may also want to add some additional services or features that are offered by the domain registrar, such as WHOIS privacy, email forwarding, DNS management, etc. These services may help you protect your privacy, enhance your online presence, or manage your domain name more easily.
• Complete the payment and verification process: The next step is to complete the payment and verification process for your .io domain name. You need to provide your personal and billing information, such as your name, address, email, phone number, credit card number, etc. You also need to agree to the terms and conditions of the domain registrar and the .io registry. After you have completed the payment and verification process, you will receive a confirmation email from the domain registrar with your login details and instructions on how to access your account.
• Configure your domain settings and connect it to your website: The final step is to configure your domain settings and connect it to your website. You need to log in to your account on the domain registrar’s website and access your domain management panel. There, you can change or update your DNS settings, which are settings that tell the internet where to find your website. You need to point your .io domain name to the IP address or nameservers of your web hosting provider, which is the company that provides you with space and resources to store and run your website. After you have configured your DNS settings, you need to wait for some time for them to propagate across the internet. Once they are propagated, you can access your website using your .io domain name.

 

.io Domain FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about .io domains:

Is .io a good domain?

It depends on your goals and preferences. .io domain is a good domain if you want a short, catchy, and memorable domain name that is associated with technology, gaming, or start-up fields. It is also a good domain if you want to rank well on Google for keywords related to these fields. However, .io domain is not a good domain if you want a cheap, widely recognized, or ethical domain name that is not related to BIOT.

 

How do I get a free .io domain?

There is no official way to get a free .io domain, as .io domains are not offered for free by any domain registrar or registry. However, there are some unofficial ways to get a free .io domain, such as:

 

Participating in contests or giveaways that offer .io domains as prizes

 

 

 

• Using subdomains of existing .io domains that allow users to create their own subdomains for free, such as glitch.io or github.io
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• Using free web hosting services that offer .io domains as part of their plans, such as 000webhost.io or infinityfree.io

However, these unofficial ways have some drawbacks, such as:

 

 

 

 

• You may not have full control or ownership over your .io domain.
•  
• You may have to deal with ads, spam, or malware on your website.
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• You may have limited features or resources for your website.
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• You may have poor performance or reliability for your website.

 

 

 

Who owns .io domains?

 

The .io domains are owned by the Internet Computer Bureau (ICB), which is a domain registrar based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of the American group Afilias. The ICB administers the .io domains under a contract with the British government, which claims sovereignty over BIOT. The ICB sells and manages the .io domains through various resellers and partners, such as Namecheap, IONOS, Hostinger, etc.

 

How do I transfer a .io domain?

If you want to transfer your .io domain from one domain registrar to another, you need to follow these steps: 

 

• Unlock your .io domain and obtain the authorization code (also known as EPP code or transfer key) from your current domain registrar.
• Initiate the transfer request with your new domain registrar and provide them with the authorization code.
• Confirm the transfer request via email and wait for the transfer process to complete, which may take up to 5 days.

 

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, .io domain is a country code TLD for British Indian Ocean Territory that has become a popular choice for technology, gaming, and start-up websites. It stands for input/output in computer science and has several advantages, such as being short, catchy, memorable, easy to find and register, associated with innovation and creativity, and SEO-friendly. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as being expensive, not widely recognized by the general public, and potentially legal or ethical issues with BIOT. If you want to register a .io domain for your website, you need to choose a reliable domain registrar that offers .io domains, search for the availability of your desired domain name, select the domain name and add it to your cart, complete the payment and verification process, and configure your domain settings and connect it to your website.

We hope that this article has helped you understand what .io domain is and how to use it for your website. If you have any questions or comments about .io domains, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and happy web building!