Category: Premium/Reserved New gTLDs

In the domain name industry, the introduction of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) has brought a new level of complexity and strategic nuance to domain allocation policies. Two of the most significant classifications in new gTLD registry operations are “premium” and “reserved” domain names. Though these terms are sometimes used casually and interchangeably by those…

When new gTLDs began to roll out following ICANN’s 2012 application round, one of the most prominent registry operators to emerge was Donuts Inc., which applied for and launched over 200 gTLDs, making it one of the most prolific forces in the new namespace. Among Donuts’ innovations in domain release strategy was the Early Access…

In the increasingly competitive market of new gTLDs, Radix has emerged as one of the most successful registry operators in terms of strategic domain positioning and premium name sales. With a portfolio that includes extensions like .TECH, .ONLINE, .STORE, .SITE, and .SPACE, Radix has focused heavily on marketing, brand development, and a well-researched pricing structure…

As the domain name industry matures, registry operators overseeing new gTLDs are increasingly exploring sophisticated methods for releasing their most valuable digital assets: reserved domain names. These are domains that, during the initial launch phases of a new gTLD, are withheld from public registration for strategic, technical, or commercial reasons. Once a registry decides to…

The introduction of premium pricing for domain names in new gTLDs has transformed how registry operators monetize their inventory, but it has also introduced a dynamic layer of complexity in assessing the health of a namespace. While premium domains—those sold at significantly higher initial and often recurring prices—represent a small fraction of total registrations, their…

As new gTLDs have expanded the internet’s addressing system, niche top-level domains have emerged to serve targeted communities and industries—from .photography and .yoga to .tech and .design. These TLDs often occupy a space between mass-market extensions like .com and highly specialized domains tied to geographic or regulated sectors. In this middle ground, registries face a…

As the domain name system has matured, registry operators managing new gTLDs have periodically adjusted their pricing models in response to market forces, operational costs, and evolving strategic goals. One area that has become increasingly complex is how these pricing changes affect holders of “grandfathered” premium domains—registrants who purchased high-value domain names under specific pricing…

As the domain name industry continues to mature and the distinction between primary and secondary marketplaces becomes increasingly blurred, a growing area of innovation and operational importance is the integration of registry premium feeds into aftermarket platforms. This convergence reflects both a strategic necessity and a technical evolution, as registries seek broader distribution for their…

In the rapidly evolving landscape of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), one of the more sophisticated tools employed by registries to optimize revenue and market alignment is the dynamic repricing engine. Unlike the early domain name system which was characterized by flat-rate pricing and static value assignments, the modern gTLD environment is more akin to…

In the competitive ecosystem of domain name sales, registrars operate not only as intermediaries between customers and registries but increasingly as marketing engines capable of influencing purchasing decisions through strategic upsell tactics. With the proliferation of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and the parallel emergence of premium domain pricing models, registrars have honed a variety…