Root Domains: What are they?

So, looking at SEO, domains and what not, you’re bound to come across the term ‘root domain’ at one point or the other. So, what is it? Where did it come from?

The origins of ‘root domain’

Originally the word ‘root domain’ was thought up in the context of domain name servers or DNS servers. It consists of a unique domain name, and a top level domain server, resulting in what we know as a web address. In fact, the root domain of your website is essentially the highest ranking page of your website, in terms of hierarchy. 

The root domain usually points to your home page in the site hierarchy. Each page that you build on your website is basically built off your root domain, but the unique URL must contain the same root domain in order to be considered a part of your website. The same applies for subdomains as well. 

What do root domains represent?

Let’s take a peek at a few examples of root domains:

• google.com
• ledigedomæner.dk
• minecraft.net

So, as you probably inferred by now, it is impossible for two different websites to have the same root domain. Any and all pages belonging to a particular website, they all have the same root domain. 

That said, we now understand root domains essentially represent a whole website, as opposed to specific pages on that site. So, if you want to calculate the size of the inbound link profile of your site, it would be more accurate to count the linking root domains, instead of the linking URLs or pages. Of course, there are many online tools to help you do just that. These free tools can easily uncover and help to determine the total number, and the identities of the root domains that link to our website.