domain that is directly below a top-level domain
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Second-level_domain
Second-level domain - Wikipedia
November 18, 2025 - In the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, a second-level domain (SLD or 2LD) is a domain that is directly below a top-level domain (TLD). For example, in example.com, ... Second-level domains commonly refer to the organization that registered the domain name with a domain name registrar.
Network Solutions
networksolutions.com › home › blog › domains & hosting › what is a second-level domain?
What Is a Second-Level Domain? Key Facts & Benefits
August 23, 2025 - We’ll also cover why it’s important for your business and include tips to help you choose the right one. A second-level domain is the part of a domain name located right before the top-level domain (TLD).
Videos
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Domain Name Structure Explained Like Never Before—Watch Now! ...
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Domain name | Top level domain | second level domain | subdomain ...
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Second-level domain - YouTube
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What is a Top-Level Domain? - YouTube
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Second-level domain Meaning - YouTube
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What Is The Difference Between A Second-Level Domain (SLD) And ...
What is the difference between the third level domain and SLD?
A SLD (SLD) is the main identifier before the top-level domain (TLD), like "mybusiness" in "mybusiness.com." A third level domain is a subdomain before the SLD, like "blog" in "blog.mybusiness.com." While SLDs define your site’s identity, third level domains organize sections or functions, like hosting blogs or support pages.
lenovo.com
lenovo.com › home
What Is a Second-Level Domain? | Domain Name System (DNS) Basics ...
How do SLDs differ across various domain extensions)?
SLDs can vary in availability and perception depending on the TLD. For example, "example.com" might be taken, but "example.net" or "example.io" could still be available. Certain TLDs, like ".edu" or ".gov," are restricted to specific organizations, limiting SLD options. Additionally, the choice of TLD can influence how the SLD is perceived—".com" is often seen as more professional, while newer TLDs like ".tech" or ".shop" can make the SLD more niche-specific.
lenovo.com
lenovo.com › home
What Is a Second-Level Domain? | Domain Name System (DNS) Basics ...
How do SLDs relate to domain registrars?
Your SLD is what you purchase or register with a domain registrar. Availability is determined globally, so if your preferred SLD is unavailable, you’ll need to modify your choice or try another TLD. Registrars provide tools to help you create the ideal domain name.
lenovo.com
lenovo.com › home
What Is a Second-Level Domain? | Domain Name System (DNS) Basics ...
ICANNWiki
icannwiki.org › Second_Level_Domain
Second Level Domain - ICANNWiki
The Second Level Domain, or SLD, is the data directly before the top-level domain (TLD). For example, in www.example.com, “example” represents the second level domain, as the suffix "(dot)-com" represents the TLD.
Webflow
webflow.com › glossary › sld
Second-level domain (SLD) – Definition | Webflow Glossary
A second-level domain (SLD) is the part of a domain name that precedes a top-level domain (TLD).
Dynadot
dynadot.com › help › question › what-is-sld
What is a second-level domain (SLD)? | Dynadot
A second-level domain (SLD) is the section of a domain name that is to the left of the dot, while a top-level domain (TLD) is the section to the right of the dot, also known as the domain extension.
Artera
artera.net › home › domain: difference between first, second and third level
Domain: Difference between First, Second and Third Level - Artera
May 24, 2023 - In the specific case, these subdomains indicatethe different language versions of the “example” website. In the case of “en,” this third-level domain identifies English-language content. But for country-coded second-level domains, such as “.co” in example.co.uk, the actual domain name (“example”) becomes the third-level domain.
MDN Web Docs
developer.mozilla.org › en-US › docs › Glossary › SLD
SLD - Glossary | MDN
The Second Level Domain (SLD) is the part of the domain name that is located right before a Top Level Domain (TLD).
Domain.com
domain.com › what is a second level domain?
What is a Second Level Domain? | Domain.com | Blog
September 26, 2024 - The second-level domain is the part of the URL that defines the unique name of your website. It’s located to the left of the top-level domain. Your SLD is unique to you and makes you stand out on the internet. Choose a name that really represents your brand or website and try to keep the ...
Lenovo
lenovo.com › home
What Is a Second-Level Domain? | Domain Name System (DNS) Basics | Lenovo US
The SLD forms the core domain, keeping it consistent with your primary environment while safely isolating tests from live systems. A SLD (SLD) is the main identifier before the top-level domain (TLD), like "mybusiness" in "mybusiness.com." A third level domain is a subdomain before the SLD, like "blog" in "blog.mybusiness.com."
Hosted
hosted.com › hosted.com blog › domain registration › domains › small business tips › what is a second level domain?
What Is A Second Level Domain - Hosted.com Blog
August 11, 2025 - An SLD is the part of a website address you usually think of as the website’s name. It comes right before the domain extension, called the Top-Level Domain (TLD). Here are a few Second Level domain examples:
HostGator
hostgator.com › home › what is a second-level domain?
What Is a Second-Level Domain? - HostGator
September 5, 2019 - A second level domain is a specific piece of the whole domain. Read on to learn more about what a second level domain name is and its importance.
HostAdvice
hostadvice.com › blog › domains › second-level-domain
What is Second Level Domain? How To Choose One (+Examples)
February 5, 2025 - It’s a unique identifier that sets your website apart within the broader hierarchy of the domain name system. A second-level domain is just one type of domain, but it is very important.
LINFO
linfo.org › second-level_domain.html
Second-level domain definition by The Linux Information Project
A second-level domain is the portion of a domain name directly below the top level domain (TLD) in the domain name system (DNS) hierarchy and the portion that appears immediately to the left of the TLD · DNS is the network of programs and databases that cooperates to translate domain names ...
InterNetX
snapshot.internetx.com › hub › what is a second-level domain?
What is a second-level domain? | Snapshot Hub by InterNetX
September 8, 2025 - A second-level domain (SLD) is the part of a domain name that appears immediately to the left of the top-level domain (TLD). For example, in internetx.com, the word “internetx” is the second-level domain, while .com is the top-level domain.
Bigrock
bigrock.in › home › products › domains › what is a second-level domain and how it impacts your brand
What is a Second Level Domain Name (SLD) | Bigrock Blog
December 1, 2022 - Since domain names are addresses to particular websites, each one is unique. You cannot have the same domain address for two websites. A second-level domain or SLD is a part of a domain name found right before a top-level domain (TLD).
Top answer 1 of 5
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Just count the dots...
.co.uk is a top level domain aka first level domain;
uk is a TLD. co is a SLD.
(Reference: http://www.nominet.uk/uk-domain-names/about-domain-names/uk-domain-family)
Although it's common to see .co.uk described as a ccTLD, it's really only the uk part that is the TLD.
google.co.uk is a second level domain and an apex domain;
google is a third level domain.
And now the hard part: .name domains
...Just count the dots.
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You seem to confuse the technical definition with registration policies.
.co.uk is not a TLD. .uk is a TLD. As w3d notes, "just count the dots".
But .co.uk is "special" in the way that you may register your domain name under this second-level domain. It’s an effective top-level domain (eTLD).
Mozilla hosts a list of these eTLDs, which they call Public Suffix List. They define a public suffix like this:
A "public suffix" is one under which Internet users can (or historically could) directly register names. Some examples of public suffixes are
.com,.co.ukandpvt.k12.ma.us. The Public Suffix List is a list of all known public suffixes.
Atak Domain
atakdomain.com › en › blog › what-is-the-second-level-domain
Explaining Second-Level Domains and Their Role in URLs
April 20, 2021 - On Atakdomain.com, the word "domain" is SLD. SLD is the first point of contact for Internet users with your website. It is the most unique part of a URL and thus the most important. Later on, we'll cover all the different ways you can benefit from SLD. Many people are confused about the term second level domain.
Quora
quora.com › Whats-a-first-second-and-third-level-domain-names-with-examples
What's a first second and third level domain names with examples? - Quora
Add in all of the country code names like .uk, .us, .ca, and my favorite, .li. Second level domain names are the level below that: Google.com, cnn.com, or yahoo.com. Third level names would add in another na...
Unstoppable Domains
unstoppabledomains.com › blog › categories › education › article › what-is-a-sld
What Is a Second-Level Domain (SLD)? A Simple Guide | Unstoppable Domains
October 24, 2025 - A second-level domain (SLD) is the part of a domain name that sits directly to the left of the top-level domain in the DNS hierarchy.
Regery
regery.com › en › blog › post › second-level-domain
What is a second-level domain. Terms of registration of second level domains
What is on the right is already a top-level domain or, in other words, a domain extension. For example, the name of the site looks like this: regery.com, regery is the second-level domain, com is the first level domain.
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