In 2014, when the .uk domain original launched, Nominet (the registry for .uk) gave owners of .co.uk (registered before 10 June 2014), .org.uk, and .me.uk (registered prior to 29 October 2013) domains priority to register their corresponding .uk domain, with the order of priority given to .co.uk domain owners, then .org.uk owners, and then .me.uk owners.
If you had bought example.co.uk prior to 10 June 2014, example.org.uk (if the .co.uk version didn’t exist) or example.me.uk (if neither the .co.uk or .org.uk versions existed), prior to 29 October 2013, then you had the exclusive right to register example.uk. This has been the case since .uk was launched in 2014.
As of 25 June 2019, however, this restriction will be lifted and all .uk domains will be opening to everyone, regardless of whether the corresponding .co.uk, .org.uk, or .me.uk exists.
So what do you get with a .uk that you don’t get with a .co.uk?
Brevity, for one.
But along with that comes a certain catchiness. Having just a .uk at the end—no co, org, or me—makes your domain snappier, fresher. And more distinctive.
But at the same time, it’s a name you can trust. Your .uk domain is backed up by the decades of confidence built up by .co.uk and others, to the point that 72% of the UK public prefers a domain name ending in .uk.
So, what’s your .uk?
Tagged in Domain names