What is .PHD?

.PHD is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) intended for doctoral studies, research, and academic content.

It may be used for personal academic sites, research groups, and scholarly resources.

Who can register a .PHD domain?

Anyone can register a .PHD domain without restrictions.

It can be used by researchers, students, educators, and education-focused organizations.

Why organizations choose .PHD

  • Clearly signals a research or doctoral focus
  • Useful for academic profiles and publications
  • Helps position scholarly content
  • Memorable for niche academic audiences

History and Background of the .PHD Domain

The .PHD domain extension was delegated in the mid-2010s as part of ICANN's new generic top-level domain program. Delegation refers to the point when a domain extension is officially added to the global domain name system and becomes technically active. It was introduced for academic and research-related projects.

After delegation, the extension typically went through standard launch phases, including a sunrise period (which allows trademark holders to register names first) before becoming available to the general public. Today, .PHD is commonly used for doctoral programs, research profiles, and academic resources.

Why you might not choose .PHD

While .PHD can be a clear signal, there are a few considerations:
  • Specific focus: Best suited for doctoral or research content.
  • Perception: Visitors may assume formal academic credentials.
  • Recognition: Less common than extensions like .COM.
  • Brand flexibility: Not ideal for general websites.

Because of these factors, Website.com currently focuses on proven, widely recognized extensions such as .COM, .NET, and .ORG that deliver consistency, affordability, and broad recognition. .PHD domains are not currently available for registration through Website.com.

Similar alternatives available at Website.com

If you're publishing research or academic content, consider:

  • .COM – flexible and familiar
  • .NET – good for platforms and tools
  • .ORG – common for institutions and groups
  • .INFO – strong for educational resources

FAQs

Is .PHD limited to doctoral graduates?

No. Anyone can register a .PHD domain, but visitors may expect research or academic content.

Is .PHD suitable for personal academic profiles?

Yes. It can work well for showcasing research, publications, and academic work.

Can I register a .PHD domain at Website.com?

Not currently. .PHD domains are not available for registration through Website.com.