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Every web address (also called web domain) has a domain suffix that identifies the type of website or organization associated with it. Understanding the meaning behind the two- or three-letter domain suffix helps you identify the type(s) of information found on the website, who published or sponsors it, and how regulated the information may be.

Domain suffixes

• .com, .net, .biz

• • .com signifies....
  • .net signifies....
  • .biz signifies....
     
  There are no rules, restrictions or processes associated with these domains. They can be purchased and used by any individual or organization. Check your assumptions when seeing a .com web address - academic journals and professional blogs often have them!

• .edu

• • .edu signifies an institute of higher education (college or university) website.
     
  .edu domains are restricted: there are rules and restrictions on who can own and publish using these domains. Only people associated with the institution can publish to the website. Associates can include students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni.

• .org

• • .org is often used by non-profit organizations, but is also used by for-profit corporations and individuals.
     
  There are no restrictions on who can own and use a .org web address. Check your assumptions about .org addresses - read laterally to learn more about the sponsoring organization and do not assume it is a non-profit organization.

• .gov, .mil

• • .gov denotes a state or federal government website.
  • .mil indicates a website produced by a branch of the US military (e.g., Army, Coast Guard).
     
  .gov and .mil domains are restricted: there are rules and restrictions on who can own and publish using these domains. Check your assumptions about .gov websites. Governments are frequently polarized and what information is published, altered, removed, or censored is under the purview of the current administration.

• country codes

• Country codes are used to indicate the site's relation to a specific country or region. They signify that a website originates from that county or that it is targeting traffic from that country. Examples include:
  • .ca = Canada
  • .mx = Mexico
  • .uk = United Kingdom
  • .us = United States
    • .or.us and wa.us are state postal codes in a web address. These often indicate a state- or county-government level website. These could include public schools (https://www.molallariv.k12.or.us/), city websites (https://www.ci.sandy.or.us/), or county websites (https://www.clackamas.us/)