Understanding ICANN, ccTLDs, gTLDs, country codes, and language codes is vital for establishing an effective international online presence. This article explores their interactions, highlighting the differences between country and language codes in URLs. For more insights, read the International SEO Consultant‘s article Which International URL Structure is Best for Your SEO Strategy.
gTLD vs ccTLD Pros and Cons | GasOn Marketing

The Role of ICANN, ccTLDs, gTLDs, Country Codes, and Language Codes in International URL Structure

What is ICANN? The Internet's Governing Body

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit organisation that manages the global domain name system (DNS). Founded in 1998, ICANN oversees the allocation of IP addresses, domain extensions, and ensures the security and stability of the internet. ICANN is responsible for both generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as .com, .org, and .net, and country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), such as .uk, .de, and .fr.

Hreflang Codes for Apple’s Multilingual Pages | GasOn Marketing

Hreflang Codes for Apple’s Multilingual Pages

Country Codes: Identifying Nations in the Digital World

ICANN manages country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), which are domain extensions specific to a country, sovereign state, or territory. Country codes are short geographical codes used in domain names, shipping, and telecommunications.

The most common country codes are defined by the ISO 3166-1 standard, including:

Alpha-2: Two-letter codes (e.g., “US” for the United States, “FR” for France).
Alpha-3: Three-letter codes (e.g., “USA” for the United States, “FRA” for France).
Numeric: Three-digit codes (e.g., “840” for the United States, “250” for France).

ISO 3166-1 Country Codes | GasOn Marketing

ISO 3166 Country Codes

Language Codes: Categorising Human Languages

Language codes differ from country codes, enabling websites to address diverse linguistic groups. The ISO 639 standard provides the most widely recognised language codes, which identify the language of content on a website.

ISO 639-1: Two-letter codes (e.g., “en” for English, “fr” for French)
ISO 639-2/3: Three-letter codes (e.g., “eng” for English, “fra” for French)

ISO 639 Language Codes | GasOn Marketing

ISO 639 Language Codes

For more specific regional variations, the IETF language tag system combines language codes with country codes to define localised versions. For example:

en-GB: English as spoken in the United Kingdom
fr-CA: Canadian French

These codes help websites deliver content tailored to both language and location, improving user experience and relevance.

The Importance of Understanding ICANN, Country Codes, and Language Codes

While ICANN doesn’t directly manage language codes, it ensures that domain names and DNS systems integrate seamlessly with both country and language codes. Selecting the right international URL structure—whether through ccTLDs, gTLDs, subdirectories, subdomains, or language parameters—is crucial for optimising global SEO and enhancing international marketing efforts. To help you make an informed decision, the International SEO Consultant’s infographic below provides a visual summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each option. For a more detailed exploration of this topic, read the article Which International URL Structure is Best for Your SEO Strategy or request a free consultation.

Best International URL Structure: Pros & Cons | International SEO Consultant

FAQ on ICANN, Country Codes, and Language Codes for International Digital Marketing

What are country codes for ccTLDs and where can I find them?

Country codes for ccTLDs (country code top-level domains) are short, two-letter identifiers assigned to specific countries and territories. They are used in domain names to signify the geographical or political region associated with the website. For example, “.us” represents the United States, and “.uk” represents the United Kingdom.

To find a complete list of these country codes, refer to the ISO 3166-1 standard, which provides the official codes for countries and territories. Additionally, ISO 3166-2 provides codes for the principal subdivisions of countries, such as states or provinces.

What are language codes for gTLDs and where can I find them?

Language codes are standardised short forms used to identify languages, which are crucial for website localisation and managing multilingual content. Here are the main types of language codes:

  • ISO 639-1: Two-letter codes for major languages (e.g., “en” for English).
  • ISO 639-2: Three-letter codes covering a broader range of languages (e.g., “eng” for English).
  • ISO 639-3: Three-letter codes for an even more comprehensive list, including lesser-known and endangered languages (e.g., “eng” for English).

For a comprehensive list of language codes, visit the ISO 639 webpage or the IANA Language Subtag Registry.

Why Use Regional Language Codes?

Regional language codes enhance content localisation by aligning with local language preferences, such as “en-US” for American English and “en-GB” for British English. They improve cultural relevance by tailoring content to regional differences, like “fr-FR” for France and “fr-CA” for Canada. This precision boosts SEO and user experience by helping search engines deliver the most relevant results based on location. Additionally, regional codes support compliance with local legal requirements. In Canada, for example, French language content must meet certain regulations, such as providing French language services in addition to English in some contexts due to the Official Languages Act. Using “fr-CA” helps ensure that the content is localised to meet the expectations and preferences of Canadian French speakers.

Why are some websites using /en-eu/ for English-speaking users in Europe, and is that correct?

Some websites use /en-eu/ to target English-speaking users in Europe, but this is not considered best practice. The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union, not a single language region, and many EU countries have their own languages and variants. For more precise targeting, it is better to use country-specific codes such as /en-ie/ for Ireland, /en-de/ for Germany, or /en-uk/ for the UK. To distinguish between the UK and other English-speaking users in Europe, use /en/ for general English content and /en-uk/ for content tailored to the UK. This approach ensures that content is customised to specific regional and linguistic preferences, enhancing user experience and SEO effectiveness.

Meet the Author: Catherine Gason, International Marketing & SEO Consultant

Catherine Gason | Freelance Marketing & International SEO Consultant
Catherine Gason is a multilingual freelance marketing and international SEO consultant, fluent in French, English, and Italian. She works closely with agencies, in-house teams, and external partners to create data-driven global web campaigns that are finely tuned to local nuances and seamlessly adapted across multiple platforms. Her expertise in SEO also led to the creation of the "International SEO Consultant" website, where she explores the complexities of global search engine optimisation.