We don’t know how many new gTLD applications were submitted during the just-closed 2026 application window, but we do know the floor. ICANN said late Friday that it had received more than 1,600 — that’s down by roughly 300 on
Domain Incite
Domain Incite covers developments in the domain name industry, focusing on topics such as new generic top-level domain (gTLD) applications, corporate strategies involving domain portfolios, and significant personnel changes within domain registries and related companies. The blog reports on industry events including company restructurings, leadership transitions, and regulatory or governance issues related to ICANN and domain name management. It also addresses the impact of broader internet and advertising market changes on domain businesses. Published by Domain Incite, the blog provides updates relevant to domain registries, registrars, and internet governance stakeholders.
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Government moves to nationalize .me
By Kevin Murphy
The government of Montenegro says it has set the ball rolling on the creation of a state-owned entity that will eventually manage its local ccTLD, .me. The ccTLD, which enjoys over a million of registrations largely due to its friendliness…
Now you can plant “for sale” signs directly into your domains
By Kevin Murphy
In what could prove to be a game-changer for the domain industry aftermarket, domain investors can now place “for sale” signs directly into their DNS records, potentially bypassing middlemen such as brokers. The Internet Engineering Task Force has published an…
Bali to apply for .bali, and the dot is delightful
By Kevin Murphy
The regional government of the Indonesian province of Bali is to formally announce an application for the .bali top-level domain at ICANN 87 in October, according to a local report. Governor Wayan Koster said the local government is supporting a…
ICANN board seat up for grabs
By Kevin Murphy
ICANN’s Country Code Names Supporting Organization has put out a call for nominations for candidates to potentially replace one of its current directors on the ICANN board next year. It’s the seat currently held by Byron Holland of .ca registry…
As .web goes live, “.website” changes hands
By Kevin Murphy
Identity Digital’s 2026 acquisition spree has continued, with the registry taking over a gTLD that means “.website” but has remarkably few registrations even a decade after launch. ICANN records show Jolly Host, an Identity Digital subsidiary, is now the contracted…
Domain name universe tops 400 million
By Kevin Murphy
The number of registered domain names topped 400 million for the first time, according to the estimates in Verisign’s latest Domain Name Industry Brief quarterly report. There were 401.6 million domains across all TLDs at the end of June, up…
Team Internet sells fewer domains but makes more profit
By Kevin Murphy
Team Internet, still reeling from Google’s decision to cut off one of its primary revenue sources, nevertheless stayed profitable in the first half of the year, the company reported. The company’s domains division, one of three reporting units, saw a…
Ireland’s .ie formally changes hands
By Kevin Murphy
IE Domain Registry has formally taken the reins at .ie after a decision by ICANN’s board of directors. The board voted last week to redelegate Ireland’s ccTLD to the company that has in effect been in control of it since…
Verisign’s crystal ball sees more growth for .com
By Kevin Murphy
Verisign has cranked up its growth predictions for .com for another consecutive quarter, partly driven by the availability of AI website creation tools. Announcing its second-quarter financial results last week, the company said that it now expects its domain name…