What is a cultural domain?
Top-level cultural domains (e.g., .cat, .eus, .bzh, .gal, .asia) were created to support specific cultural, linguistic or regional communities. Unlike national domains such as .fr (France) or .jp (Japan), they are not tied to national borders but reflect cultural identity.
Such domains are used as a symbolic part of a brand, showing that the company shares the values and language of its region. They are particularly useful where the language or culture has autonomous status or is actively supported by the population. Advantages of a cultural domain for business:
- support for local identity;
- improved brand perception;
- a signal of belonging to the local audience;
- relevance for regional SEO.
Examples and case studies from Europe
Cultural domains in Europe are not just a technical innovation, but a tool for cultural policy and marketing. This is particularly noticeable in regions with strong linguistic and cultural self-identity. Domains help businesses stand out and build trust with local audiences:
- .cat (Catalonia) was the first cultural domain and remains active. It is used by media outlets, schools, cultural organisations and even private companies that want to show their respect for the Catalan language. Example: news website ara.cat.
- .eus (Basque Country) — actively used by both non-profit organisations and commercial websites. Domains help emphasise support for the Basque language and autonomy.
- .bzh (Brittany) — used to promote tourism, regional products and small businesses. Often found in e-commerce projects targeting a local audience.
- .gal (Galicia) — supports the Galician language and culture. Businesses using this domain show respect for regional identity.
Examples and case studies from Asia
The Asian internet segment is characterised by great linguistic and written diversity. This creates high demand for cultural domains, especially in multinational countries and regions with hieroglyphic writing.
.asia is a domain for the pan-Asian space and is used by technology start-ups, consulting companies and educational platforms that operate in several Asian countries at once. IDN domains — domains in Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters allow companies to use their native language even in their website address. Examples include 政务.中国 (government websites in China) and みんな in Japan, which means ‘everyone’ and is used for socially oriented projects. Such domains are especially important in countries where Latin characters are not used — they increase ease of perception and help users quickly understand that the website is intended for them.
When should a business choose a cultural domain?
Choosing a cultural or language domain is particularly appropriate when a business seeks to establish a close connection with a specific community or region. This can be part of a localisation strategy or a way to position the company as a participant in local cultural life. Such a domain helps not just to be present in the market, but to be noticed, recognised and perceived as ‘one of their own.’ This works especially well in environments where language and cultural identity are an important part of users' self-identity. Cultural domains in Asia and Europe are particularly beneficial for:
- Online media and cultural portals — using cultural domains helps emphasise the connection with the local community and strengthen trust in the source of information.
- Platforms for education and government services — a local domain makes educational projects and services more accessible and legitimate in the eyes of users in the region.
- E-commerce companies — this is a way to show the local nature of your business, build trust with customers, and adapt to the cultural characteristics of the market.
- iGaming projects (including online casinos) — this is often a matter of legal positioning, local trust, and meeting the expectations of players in specific countries.
- Brands creating an image of local presence — a cultural domain helps a brand integrate more quickly into the regional space and establish an emotional connection with its audience.
- Tourism and cultural initiatives focused on domestic markets — a local domain reinforces the perception of the project as authentic and familiar to locals and tourists.
Cultural domains are also becoming relevant when launching projects related to tourism, educational initiatives or digital campaigns at the local level. They allow businesses to emphasise their involvement in the life of the region, express their support for linguistic diversity and attract the attention of an audience that values cultural representation. For non-profit organisations, start-ups and small businesses, it is an inexpensive but effective way to stand out in a competitive environment.
A cultural domain is more than just a string of characters in a browser address bar. It reflects values, respect for local culture and a willingness to adapt to the expectations of a specific audience. Choosing such a domain is a strategic step towards sustainable development and building trust with local users.
