A sub-level domain (SLD) also known as a subdomain is the part of a domain name that comes before the top-level domain (TLD). It is usually the name of the organization or individual that owns the website.
For example, in the domain name "www.example.com", the TLD is ".com" and the SLD is "example".
In Web2, subdomains are used as a unique string of characters that identifies a specific website or resource on the internet. It is the human-friendly version of an IP address, which is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. The invention of subdomains within Web2 allowed anyone to register a sub-level domain against an ICANN registered Top-Level Domain.
Whereas in Web3, subdomains and Sub-Level Domains provide additional functionality.
A web3 subdomain is a domain that is built on top of a decentralized, blockchain-based platform, such as Ethereum. It is similar to a traditional subdomain in that it is a part of a larger domain, but it is built using decentralized technology and is often used in the context of the decentralized web (Web3).
Web3 subdomains are decentralized, meaning that they are not controlled by a single entity or organization. Instead, they are managed by a decentralized network of computers, making them more resistant to censorship or control.
Web3 subdomains can be used to create decentralized websites, decentralized applications (dApps), and other decentralized services on the web3. These subdomains are often built using blockchain-based protocols, such as Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and Decentraweb, which allows users to register and manage decentralized domain names.
Web3 subdomains can be used for various purposes such as creating a decentralized website, as a human-friendly domain of a wallet address, your decentralized username for platforms and many more.
Whereas other Web3 Domain name providers only use a handful of Top-Level Domains to create your Subdomains from, Decentraweb allows users to create subdomains from any registered Top-Level Domain.
If you are the owner of a Top-Level Domain through Decentraweb, you can easily mint unlimited Subdomains against your TLD. Alternatively, you can choose to mint a subdomain from a staked Top-Level Domain.
Staked Top-Level Domains are TLDs which the owner has decided to allow others to mint subdomains using their TLD, for a fee which the owner has set.
