.ac

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.ac

‘.ac’ is the top-level domain (TLD) for websites associated with the academic or research institutions, primarily used by universities and colleges. It signifies the affiliation of a website with the educational sector and is intended to provide a recognizable and trusted online presence for academic entities.

What does .ac mean?

‘.ac’ is a top-Level domain (TLD) that is primarily used for academic or educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and research organizations. It was created in 1985 as part of the original set of generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Websites using the ‘.ac’ TLD are typically affiliated with educational institutions and provide access to academic resources, research, and educational content.

The ‘.ac’ TLD is often used to denote websites related to higher education, including those of universities, colleges, and research institutes. Using this TLD helps users quickly identify and access academic and educational information. The ‘.ac’ domain extension is widely recognized and used by educational institutions globally.

Applications

The ‘.ac’ TLD is primarily used in the following applications:

  • Academic institutions: Universities, colleges, research institutions, and other educational organizations use the ‘.ac’ TLD to establish a recognized Online presence and provide access to academic resources. These institutions utilize ‘.ac’ websites to share research, course materials, faculty information, and other academic content.

  • Academic resources: Websites using the ‘.ac’ TLD often provide access to academic databases, libraries, and repositories. These websites offer a wide range of academic resources, including scholarly articles, research papers, and educational materials.

  • Online education: Many ‘.ac’ websites offer online courses, distance learning programs, and educational platforms. These websites provide students and professionals with access to education and training opportunities.

History

The ‘.ac’ TLD was created in 1985 as part of the original set of generic top-level domains (gTLDs). It was initially intended to be used exclusively for academic and research institutions. However, over time, the use of ‘.ac’ expanded to include other organizations with an educational or research focus.

The ‘.ac’ domain was originally administered by the Network Information Center (NIC), which was responsible for managing the top-level domains. In 2016, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) took over the responsibility for administering ‘.ac’ and other gTLDs.

Today, the ‘.ac’ TLD remains an important part of the internet infrastructure, providing academic institutions and other organizations with a standardized and recognizable way to establish their online presence and share educational resources.