What TLDs should be avoided for email domains due to spam or reputation issues?

Key findings

• Reputation Impact: Domains using anything other than a .com TLD often face an uphill battle with reputation systems, making it harder to establish trust. This is particularly true for newer, less common TLDs. For a deeper dive into how domain extensions affect email deliverability, see our guide on does the TLD affect email deliverability.
• High-Risk TLDs: Certain TLDs, especially those offered for free or at very low cost by registrars like Freenom (.tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, .gq), are widely known as 'cesspools' of spam and are often blocked outright by email networks. Similarly, .cam, .xyz, .club, and .top are frequently subjected to higher scrutiny due to abuse.
• .io Scrutiny: While .io is popular with startups, email providers report that a vast majority of emails originating from .io domains are spam. Although not universally blocked due to legitimate use, these domains typically incur a heavier spam score in filters.
• Less Popular TLDs: TLDs like .ly have a smaller footprint and are less frequently mentioned in general blocklist strategies compared to more problematic ones, but they still carry some risk. You can find more information on managing problematic TLDs in our article on strategies for blocking disposable email domains.
• .org Domain Risks: Some .org domains have experienced issues with registrars threatening or suspending registrations based on individual spam reports, highlighting a potential for over-compliance or arbitrary enforcement by registries.

Key considerations

• Default to .com: For email sending, .com remains the safest and most recommended choice due to its long-standing reputation and widespread acceptance. It provides the best foundation for building a strong sender reputation.
• Avoid Free TLDs: Steer clear of TLDs offered by Freenom or similar services, as they are almost universally flagged as high-risk by email filtering systems and are frequently found on email blocklists (also known as blacklists). You can learn more about assessing TLD risk by reviewing resources like SocketLabs' guide on top-level 'dontmains'.
• Exercise Caution with Newer TLDs: Newer generic TLDs (gTLDs) can be a gamble. While some might gain legitimacy over time, many initially attract spammers, leading to poor default reputations. Evaluate the specific risks associated with using newer TLDs like .clinic or .vet for email sending.
• Monitor Reputation: Regardless of your chosen TLD, continuous monitoring of your domain's reputation and blocklist status is crucial for maintaining good deliverability.

Key opinions

• .io Spam Propensity: Many marketers and email administrators observe that a significant volume of spam originates from .io domains, although legitimate organizations also use them, preventing outright blocking.
• Non-.com Challenges: Startups and other entities using TLDs other than .com often report facing an uphill battle to establish good sender reputation. This highlights the perceived struggle in gaining trust from reputation systems when not using a conventional TLD.
• Avoid Freenom TLDs: There's a strong sentiment against TLDs provided by Freenom (.tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, .gq) due to their notorious association with spam, leading to their being persona non grata with some email networks.
• Newer TLD Scrutiny: Marketers frequently point out that TLDs like .xyz, .club, and .top, along with .cam, often attract higher scrutiny from spam filters due to their prevalence in abusive email campaigns. Learn more about how new or uncommon domain extensions affect deliverability.
• .org Domain Vulnerability: Some marketers have experienced or witnessed registrars threatening or suspending .org domains based on individual spam complaints, suggesting an imbalance of compliance enforcement.

Key considerations

• Prioritize .com: Marketers overwhelmingly recommend sticking to .com for email domains to minimize deliverability challenges and capitalize on its inherent trustworthiness.
• Be Wary of Trendy TLDs: While alternative TLDs might seem appealing for branding, the deliverability risks often outweigh the benefits, especially for crucial email communications. As Bobby Jimenez on Medium explains, widely used commercial TLDs remain the safest bet.
• Understand the Reputation Cost: The choice of TLD is a fundamental aspect of your domain's sender reputation. Opting for a TLD with a poorer general reputation means you'll spend more effort and time building individual trust.
• Consider the Audience: If your audience is less tech-savvy, a less common TLD might appear suspicious, increasing the likelihood of emails being marked as spam or ignored.

Key opinions

• Spam Magnet TLDs: Experts confirm that specific TLDs, particularly those launched more recently, consistently show very high rates of spam and malicious emails, with some exceeding 95% being flagged.
• Risk of Newer gTLDs: The proliferation of new generic TLDs (gTLDs) has expanded the threat landscape. While some are legitimate, many become favored by cybercriminals due to lower costs, easier registration, or less stringent oversight. This can impact even legitimate users on those TLDs, as discussed in our article on the risks of using newer TLDs.
• Default to Established TLDs: Established TLDs like .com, .net, and .org, despite some specific issues (like .org registrar actions), generally offer a better baseline for sender reputation compared to newer or less common alternatives.
• TLD-Specific Blocklists: Some blocklists and email filtering systems specifically target entire TLDs or large ranges within them if they observe persistent patterns of abuse. This creates a challenging environment for any sender operating within those TLDs.

Key considerations

• Proactive Reputation Management: Even with a good TLD, active reputation management, including consistent email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and low complaint rates, is paramount. Learn more about improving domain reputation with Google Postmaster Tools.
• Avoid High-Abuse TLDs: Based on expert observations and security reports, absolutely avoid TLDs that are consistently identified as havens for spam and phishing, as they carry an almost guaranteed deliverability penalty. Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 provides insights into top-level domains and cybercrime.
• Consistency Over Novelty: Prioritize TLDs with a proven track record of legitimate use over those that are trendy or cheap. The long-term benefits of consistent inbox placement far outweigh any short-term gains from a 'unique' or inexpensive TLD.
• Impact on Reputation Systems: Deliverability experts stress that the TLD is one of many signals reputation systems consider. A clean sending history, proper authentication, and engaging content can sometimes overcome a slightly less optimal TLD, but starting with a strong TLD provides a significant advantage.

Key findings

• High Spam/Phishing Rates: Research indicates that certain new gTLDs, such as .uno, .sbs, and .beauty, introduced since 2014, have seen over 95% of their emails flagged as spam or malicious. This suggests an inherent and pervasive reputation issue for these extensions.
• Exploitation by Cybercriminals: Cybersecurity reports frequently detail how malicious actors leverage specific TLDs for their campaigns. These TLDs are often chosen due to their low cost, ease of registration, or perceived anonymity, making them attractive for illicit activities.
• DNS Monitoring Importance: Ongoing monitoring of the Domain Name System (DNS) is crucial for identifying emerging threats related to TLDs, including those that might suddenly become popular among spammers or phishers. Blocklist monitoring is a critical part of this.
• Legacy TLD Stability: Well-established TLDs (.com, .net, .org, .gov, .edu) generally exhibit more stability and lower rates of abuse compared to many newer gTLDs, making them safer choices from a technical reputation standpoint.

Key considerations

• Consult Threat Reports: Regularly consult cybersecurity threat reports and analyses from authoritative sources that focus on TLD abuse trends. These reports provide data-backed insights into which TLDs are currently exhibiting problematic behavior. For example, the Cloudflare blog often reports on TLD email threats.
• Risk Assessment: Before registering a domain, especially one with a less common TLD, conduct a thorough risk assessment based on its known association with spam or phishing. This informs whether the TLD is suitable for email sending.
• Technical Filtering: Mailbox providers and security vendors often implement dynamic filtering rules based on observed TLD abuse. Choosing a problematic TLD means your emails will inherently face stricter scrutiny and a higher chance of being filtered, regardless of content or sender practices.
• Standardized Authentication: While TLD choice impacts initial trust, robust email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for validating your sender identity and can help mitigate some TLD-related reputation challenges. Find out more about DMARC, SPF, and DKIM.