.ao domains list

What is .ao TLD

The .ao top-level domain (TLD) is Angola’s country-code namespace, used to identify online resources with a clear geographic link to Angola. In practice, .ao domains are allocated under policies defined by national authorities and may be registered at the second or third level, depending on the prevailing rules. For organizations seeking regional clarity, .ao websites help signal audience focus, enable country-specific compliance, and support localized branding. From an analytical standpoint, we see modest but steady growth tied to internet penetration, government digitization, and sectoral expansion in energy, banking, and media. Performance and resilience vary by operator and hosting choices, as with any ccTLD. To benchmark usage, growth, and active hosts, we rely on longitudinal crawling and DNS telemetry. Explore .ao domain datasets from webatla.

History and key features of .ao TLD

Historically, .ao was introduced in the 1990s following ISO 3166-1 assignment of AO to Angola. Administration and registration policies have evolved, with periods favoring third-level structures (e.g., sectoral labels) and gradual opening to broader second-level availability, depending on policy cycles. Key features typically include eligibility checks and contact validation; DNSSEC adoption and nameserver requirements may vary across registrars. Compared with global averages, .ao domains show concentrated ownership among institutions, with .ao websites clustering in government, telecom, education, and news. Measured through passive DNS, we observe relatively high TTLs and cautious change rates, consistent with stability priorities. For risk assessment, we monitor phishing and abuse signals relative to regional baselines, noting generally low but variable activity. Discover .ao domain datasets from webatla.

Why and who choose the .ao domain

Businesses, public bodies, and NGOs choose the .ao domain to establish credibility with Angolan users, align with local regulations, and optimize geotargeting for search and advertising. For exporters and investors, .ao domains also function as market-entry markers, while .ao websites provide localized content, currency, and language experiences. Technical teams value proximity routing and potential latency gains when hosting in-region or via African PoPs, alongside clearer WHOIS-style contact expectations. From our datasets, adoption correlates with sectors needing trust and service availability—utilities, finance, healthcare, education, and public services. International brands commonly pair .ao with global .com footprints to segment traffic and campaigns. Decision-makers should weigh residency rules, renewal costs, and DNSSEC support before rollout. Examine .ao domain datasets from webatla.