Category: 2026 New gTLD Program

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is set to launch the long-anticipated second round of the New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program in 2026. This initiative builds on the foundation laid by the 2012 round, which dramatically expanded the Domain Name System (DNS) beyond traditional extensions like .com, .net, and .org. The…

As the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) readies the launch of the 2026 new gTLD program, organizations across the globe are preparing to compete for coveted top-level domain strings. The 2012 round offered a rich trove of insights for those aiming to secure their own slice of the DNS. The successes and…

As the 2026 round of ICANN’s New gTLD Program approaches, applicants are preparing to operate in a far more complex technical environment than existed during the 2012 application cycle. Among the most important developments since that time is the widespread adoption of encrypted DNS protocols—namely DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT). These…

As the 2026 round of the ICANN New gTLD Program approaches, registry operators are refining their strategies not only for securing their chosen strings, but also for monetizing them effectively. Among the most crucial business decisions facing new gTLD applicants is how to structure premium name pricing models—an area that has matured considerably since the…

The 2026 round of the ICANN New gTLD Program arrives in a vastly different regulatory environment compared to its predecessor in 2012. Since the implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018, data privacy has become a cornerstone of internet governance, fundamentally altering the operational, contractual, and technical landscape for…

The 2026 round of the ICANN New gTLD Program places renewed emphasis on stakeholder engagement and transparency, with the public comment process emerging as one of the most critical mechanisms for ensuring that proposed top-level domains align with community expectations, legal standards, and the broader public interest. Unlike in 2012, where the public comment phase…

As the 2026 round of ICANN’s New gTLD Program approaches, renewed attention is being given to the policy landscape surrounding registry-registrar cross-ownership restrictions. Historically, ICANN maintained strict separation between registry operators and registrars in an effort to promote competition, reduce the risk of self-dealing, and prevent market abuse. However, this model has undergone significant evolution…

As the 2026 ICANN New gTLD Program invites a new wave of registry operators into the expanding global namespace, the cybersecurity threat landscape facing these entities is significantly more complex and volatile than it was during the 2012 round. Registry operators, as critical infrastructure providers within the Domain Name System, carry a heightened risk profile.…

The expansion of the global internet continues to outpace the supply of IPv4 addresses, reinforcing the urgency of IPv6 adoption across all layers of the DNS infrastructure. For registry operators participating in the 2026 New gTLD Program, full IPv6 support is no longer a forward-looking aspiration but a critical requirement for interoperability, scalability, and compliance.…

The 2026 round of the ICANN New gTLD Program brings renewed focus on the economics of applying for and operating a top-level domain, with particular scrutiny placed on the revised application fee structure. ICANN has positioned the new structure as a reflection of cost-recovery principles while incorporating lessons learned from the 2012 round. Yet, the…