Category: 2026 New gTLD Program

The 2026 round of the new gTLD program introduces a reimagined and significantly expanded version of the Applicant Support Program (ASP), a critical initiative aimed at enabling greater global inclusivity in the expansion of the domain name system. Originally conceived during the 2012 round as a modest financial aid program, the 2026 ASP now emerges…

The 2026 round of the new gTLD program brings a fundamentally revised approach to one of the most technically and politically challenging aspects of domain name expansion: the evaluation of string confusion. In the 2012 round, string confusion reviews often generated controversy, with applicants and observers criticizing inconsistency in outcomes, lack of clarity in methodology,…

As the 2026 round of the new gTLD program prepares to significantly expand the internet’s namespace, Universal Acceptance (UA) has emerged as a non-negotiable prerequisite for operational success and global usability. Universal Acceptance refers to the principle that all valid domain names and email addresses—regardless of script, length, or top-level domain—should be equally accepted and…

The 2026 round of the new gTLD program brings with it a heightened emphasis on operational continuity, security, and resilience, underscoring the critical role of two long-standing safety mechanisms: data escrow and the Emergency Back-End Registry Operator (EBERO) program. Both have been significantly updated in the 2026 Applicant Guidebook, reflecting lessons from the past decade…

In the 2026 round of the new gTLD program, the Technical Evaluation Panel plays a more prominent and methodically structured role than in previous rounds, reflecting the elevated expectations ICANN has placed on operational integrity, security readiness, and infrastructure scalability. Passing this panel smoothly is not merely a matter of completing technical checklists—it requires careful…

As the 2026 round of the new gTLD program nears launch, operators preparing to enter the domain ecosystem are closely examining the processes that govern the Sunrise and Claims periods—two critical rights protection mechanisms designed to safeguard trademark holders and reduce the likelihood of domain name abuse. These periods, mandatory for all new gTLDs under…

As the 2026 new gTLD program ushers in a new wave of registry operators, one of the most consequential but often underappreciated aspects of launching a successful TLD is the need to prepare for ICANN contractual compliance audits before the first domain is even delegated. ICANN’s compliance regime, built into the Registry Agreement and strengthened…

The 2026 round of the new gTLD program marks a significant turning point in the relationship between internet infrastructure and environmental responsibility. For the first time in ICANN’s history, sustainability has been formally incorporated into the evaluation and operational expectations of gTLD applicants. Dubbed “Green DNS” by many in the community, these new sustainability requirements…

The 2026 round of the new gTLD program unfolds in a drastically different global environment compared to its 2012 predecessor. Today’s digital regulatory landscape is more complex, fragmented, and fast-moving than ever before, shaped by rapid developments in data privacy laws, cybersecurity mandates, content governance, and geopolitical tensions. For gTLD applicants, the challenge is no…

With the 2026 new gTLD program poised to add a diverse range of new domain extensions to the global internet infrastructure, the challenge facing registry operators is not only to launch smoothly but to define and measure long-term success. Unlike the initial euphoria that followed the 2012 round, today’s operators are entering a more mature,…