.ad is the
Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...
country code
A country code is a short alphanumeric identification code for countries and dependent areas. Its primary use is in data processing and communications. Several identification systems have been developed.
The term ''country code'' frequently re ...
top-level domain
A top-level domain (TLD) is one of the domain name, domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the Internet after the root domain. The top-level domain names are installed in the DNS root zone, root zone of the nam ...
(
ccTLD
A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is an Internet top-level domain generally used or reserved for a country, sovereign state, or dependent territory identified with a country code. All ASCII ccTLD identifiers are two letters long, and all tw ...
) for
Andorra
Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a Sovereignty, sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula, in the eastern Pyrenees in Southwestern Europe, Andorra–France border, bordered by France to the north and Spain to A ...
.
It is administered by
Andorra Telecom.
History
.ad was originally only for Andorran registrants or trademark holders and each registration had to be pre-approved.
In 2024 the registry relaunched the TLD and revised all policies. Since 22 May 2024 it is a requirement to use an accredited registrar.
Before that date, registrants could buy domains directly from the registry, which was discontinued.
Since 22 October 2024 the registration policies were changed so that any natural or legal person worldwide can register a domain name under .ad.
Additionally, domains are not subject to prior validation anymore and are instead processed immediately. Registrars outside of Andorra are also able to accredit themselves since then.
Domain hack
Because .ad is an
abbreviation
An abbreviation () is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method including shortening (linguistics), shortening, contraction (grammar), contraction, initialism (which includes acronym), or crasis. An abbreviation may be a shortened for ...
for the word
advertisement
Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a Product (business), product or Service (economics), service. Advertising aims to present a product or service in terms of utility, advantages, and qualities of int ...
or
advert, .ad has also been used in an unconventional manner as a
domain hack
A domain hack is a domain name that suggests a word, phrase, or name when concatenating two or more adjacent levels of that domain. For example, and , using the domains ''.bot'' and ''.le'', suggest the words ''robot'' and ''example'' respective ...
by some
advertising
Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a Product (business), product or Service (economics), service. Advertising aims to present a product or service in terms of utility, advantages, and qualities of int ...
media.
See also
*
.cat
References
External links
IANA .ad whois informationSTA Homepage
Communications in Andorra
Country code top-level domains
Council of European National Top Level Domain Registries members
Internet properties established in 1996
{{Andorra-stub