ICANNWiki

.berlin

gTLD
Type gTLD
Subtype geoTLD
Status Active
Country
    Implemented 18 March 2014
    Registry TLD-BOX
    Find out more:
    NTLDStats

    .berlin is a geographic top-level domain (geoTLD) introduced through ICANN's new gTLD program. The top-level domain was officially delegated to dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG on 8 January 2014[1], making it one of the pioneering city-specific top-level domains in Internet history. The .berlin domain extension allows businesses, organizations and individuals to digitally affiliate themselves with Germany’s capital city.

    Background

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    Origins and Vision

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    The concept of .berlin emerged from a revolutionary idea: if countries could have their own TLDs, why not cities? This vision was developed in 1999 by Dirk Krischenowski, who recognized the potential for cities to establish their own digital identities. The proposal was the first and most prominent geoTLD that began circulating as a possibility in the early 2000s, long before ICANN’s new gTLD program officially launched.

    The fundamental aim of .berlin is to strengthen local digital identity and provide multiple benefits: supporting city government services, promoting local businesses and tourism, and enabling residents to easily access municipal services. The domain extension serves as a digital bridge connecting Berlin’s physical community with its online presence.

    Application

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    The application for .berlin was submitted as a community TLD, which means it was specifically dedicated for the city of Berlin and its residents to create a unique digital identity for the local community. The City of Berlin officially supported the initiative by issuing a Letter of Support for dotBERLIN. The application proceeded successfully through ICANN’s evaluation process: On 31 October 2013, dotBERLIN signed the Registry Agreement for .berlin after successfully passing the Evaluation[2].

    Registry Operator: dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG

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    dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2005 by Dirk Krischenowski and Alexander Schubert, Johannes Lenz-Hawliczek and Katrin Ohlmer joined shortly afterwards. The company operates under an innovative community-owned model that sets it apart from traditional registry operators. With approximately 100 shareholders[3], the structure ensures that .berlin functions as a public resource genuinely “owned by Berliners”. The company is currently led by Dirk Krischenowski and Katrin Ohlmer.

    Technical Operation and Community Support

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    On a technical level, dotBERLIN operates the DNS registry database and monitors the namespace for abuse and security issues. The company maintains its web presence at www.dot.berlin, where it provides comprehensive information about the cityTLD.

    Beyond technical operations, dotBERLIN actively supports the local community by providing cost-free domain names to charitable organizations and digital learning initiatives for kids.

    Usage and Adoption

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    More than a decade after delegation, .berlin has stabilized at approximately 45,000 domain registrations. This represents a healthy and sustainable adoption rate that demonstrates genuine utility rather than speculative registration. Notably, 95 % of registrants are small businesses, directly supporting Berlin’s local economic ecosystem.

    The top-level domain finds particular popularity in specific industry sectors, with “Arts & Culture”, “Health” and “Construction & Real Estate” representing the three largest user categories. This distribution reflects Berlin’s diverse economic landscape and cultural significance.

    Visibility

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    .berlin has achieved remarkable visibility throughout Berlin’s urban landscape. The domains appear extensively across the city on public transportation, advertisement columns, posters or commercial vehicles, making them an integral part of Berlin’s visual identity. This physical presence reinforces the digital-physical connection that the top-level domain was designed to create.

    Several high-profile .berlin domains demonstrate the extension’s versatility and appeal:

    • www.wir.berlin: the city’s official campaign website promoting Berlin’s identity and community
    • www.tu.berlin: the official digital portal of Technische Universität Berlin
    • www.palast.berlin: the renowned Friedrichstadtpalast theater’s digital home

    Performance and Recognition

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    .berlin has established itself as one of the most successful cityTLDs globally. Since 2017, the TLD consultancy DOTZON has annually published the “Digitale Stadtmarken (Digital City Brands)” study, which consistently ranks .berlin in the top positions. Throughout the study’s history, .berlin has claimed first place in nearly every edition, with only 2023 seeing it finish in second place.

    Research, including studies by Searchmetrics, demonstrates that .berlin websites enjoy search engine optimization advantages in local searches. This provides businesses and organizations with a competitive edge when targeting Berlin-specific audiences.

    dotBERLIN actively supports its user community through targeted marketing initiatives and specialized assistance programs, particularly for startups and emerging businesses. This hands-on approach helps maximize the value proposition for domain owners.

    References

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