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2010 survey on the perception of .fr reveals a clear preference in favour of .fr domain names

Home > Observatory and resources > News > 2010 survey on the perception of .fr reveals a clear preference in favour of .fr domain names
09/09/2010

A strong sense of connection to .fr, both for domain name registration as well as site search
In 2010, 2/3 of the participants (i.e. 62% of those interviewed) said they would choose the .fr top level domain when buying a domain name.
This connection to .fr is also reflected in strong brand awareness : 71% of people interviewed are aware that individuals living in France or those who are French and living abroad, can register for a .fr domain name.
For 78% of people interviewed, the .fr top level domain essentially conveys a sense of belonging to the French territory. This feeling of geographical belonging is also confirmed in internet usage, as 76% of those interviewed reveal that when searching for the website of a French company, they would immediately type in the .fr top level domain. Therefore, to the question “What do you think of the development prospects of .fr over the medium or long term ?”, 51% of those interviewed believe that “they are quite good, .fr is the reference top level domain for the French market “.
The .fr top level domain remains associated with such as French speaking values (67% of those interviewed), belonging (30% of those interviewed) and proximity (20% of those interviewed). A triple combination which remains stable since 2006.
Clearly identified uses of .fr domain names which could very well expand
The uses of .fr are clearly identified. Indeed, 56% of people interviewed are aware that they can use the top level domain to create a personalized email address, 30% to set up websites/blogs/ personal pages and 17% to increase their visibility on the Internet.
Its uses vary according to the public : 

78% of women interviewed use it to create personalized email addresses

54% of men interviewed use it to create websites/blogs/personal pages

36% of those aged between 25 and 34 use it to protect their name and prevent a third party from obtaining it

There are different factors which may encourage people who do not currently have any .fr domain names, to purchase one. They include :

The cost, for 32% of people interviewed

A specific requirement (creating a blog, …) for 28% of those interviewed

The need of a communication with a French audience, for 26% of people interviewed

Finally, those interviewed felt that complementary services essential for a .fr domain name would be, ideally :

Protection of personal data for 52% (note : this service is included by default for all individuals registring .fr)

Protection against spam and viruses for 36%

One or more email accounts for 31%

About AFNIC
(Association Française pour le Nommage Internet en Coopération )
Non-profit organization, AFNIC is in charge of the administrative and technical management of the .fr (France) and .re (Reunion Island) Internet domain names.
AFNIC brings together public and private members: representatives from the French government, Internet users and Internet Service Providers (Registrars).
Further information.
 

 

About Afnic

Afnic is the acronym for Association Française pour le Nommage Internet en Coopération, the French Network Information Centre. The registry has been appointed by the French government to manage domain names under the .fr Top Level Domain. Afnic also manages the .re (Reunion Island), .pm (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon), .tf (French Southern and Antarctic Territories), .wf (Wallis and Futuna) and .yt (Mayotte) French Overseas TLDs.

In addition to managing French TLDs, Afnic’s role is part of a wider public interest mission, which is to contribute on a daily basis, thanks to the efforts of its teams and its members, to a secure and stable internet, open to innovation and in which the French internet community plays a leading role. As part of that mission, Afnic, a non-profit organization, has committed to devoting 11% of its Revenues from managing .fr Top Level Domain to actions of general interest, in particular by transferring €1.3 million each year to the Afnic Foundation for Digital Solidarity.
Afnic is also the back-end registry for the companies as well as local and regional authorities that have chosen to have their own TLD, such as .paris, .bzh, .alsace, .corsica, .mma, .ovh, .leclerc and .sncf.

Established in 1997 and based in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Afnic currently has nearly 90 employees.