what does .org mean

The ".org" in a website domain name stands for "organization." It is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) originally created in 1985 for organizations that didn't fit into other categories like commercial (.com), network (.net), government (.gov), or educational (.edu). It was primarily intended for non- profit organizations such as NGOs, charitable groups, open source projects, and educational platforms. Although initially reserved for nonprofits, since 2019 the restriction was lifted, allowing any entity, including for-profit businesses, to register a .org domain. However, the public still generally associates ".org" websites with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations focused on social good. This domain signals credibility, transparency, and a commitment to serving a broader public interest. In comparison to ".com," which is mainly used for commercial purposes, and ".net," which originated for network-related entities, ".org" is best recognized as representing nonprofits and purpose-led groups.