A Global Approach to the Spatial Diversity and Dynamics of Internet Domains

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe the place of individual countries in digital space through the lens of Internet domains and specific websites. We will discuss the global geography of domains in reference to states and other entities of spatial organization, and changes in the positions of individual websites. These issues will be approached with an awareness of the significant changes taking place in the functioning of the Web, particularly cyberbalkanization. This study mainly used data from Alexa rankings, the best free source of information available on the behavior of Internet users. One conclusion is the clear U.S. dominance over other countries in relation to number of most popular domains. Despite the clear U.S. dominance, the BRIC countries—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—play an increasingly significant role in the geography of domains. The trends discussed in this article are related to the so‐called balkanization of the Internet. Regulations of its functioning and the growing importance of national websites and search engines have contributed to deepening the differences between Internet users in different countries.