Why is the dot.tk domain so popular?

The dot.tk domain is the country code top-level domain of the Tokelau Islands. Despite its tiny size, this island nation has more registered domains than any other country in the world. Below, we’ll take a look at the miraculous dot.tk domain.

How domain names have changed over time

It’s been almost 35 years since the first web page went online. The Verisign Domain Name Report from April 2020 stated that more than 370 million domains had been registered worldwide since then. Over the years, domain endings have changed though. While classic domains like .com or .info dominated the early period of the internet, today, there are more top-level domains (TLDs) on offer than ever before, including TLDs like .fun, .dance and .chicago.

How popular is the .tk domain?

Tokelau is far from a typical tourist destination, so if you’ve never heard of the remote cluster of islands in the South Pacific, you’re not alone. The group of islands is largely isolated from the rest of the world, with only a ship travelling to and from Samoa every two weeks. With limited infrastructure and no airport or tourism industry, you may be asking yourself how popular the .tk domain can be?

.tk, the ccTLD (country domain) for Tokelau, is currently the second most popular extension in the world. The New Zealand territory with a population of just 1,400 boasts over 25 million registered domains. The following graph highlights the significant popularity of the domain in comparison with other ccTLDs. The majority of .tk domain users reside in Asia, Russia and Turkey.

Why have .tk domains started to lose their appeal?

Although the .tk extension can be registered with a variety of providers and is one of the most cost-effective solutions for creating a domain, a reluctancy to use the domain has emerged over the years. This can be attributed to the following factors:

1. Loose restrictions and the low price (in some cases, free) has caused .tk domains to be used for fraudulent websites, especially for phishing and scamming sites. This has damaged the reputation of the .tk domain for users and website owners alike.
2. The .tk domain doesn’t offer businesses any unique value. Aside from being inexpensive, it doesn’t provide any other advantages over well-established options like .com or top-level domains that are tailored to specific industries or services.

For larger companies looking for a professional online presence with a recognisable domain, a .tk domain is not a suitable choice. However, individuals and smaller companies that aren’t as established and have to work with tighter budgets may find a .tk domain a good alternative to traditional extensions and newer TLDs.