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
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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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…
.web could be a huge payday for Verisign
By Kevin Murphy
.web entered the root zone this week, ending over a quarter-century of drama over the once-coveted gTLD, and now it looks like it could be immediately worth tens of millions to its new registry. Verisign got it, of course, seemingly…
Freenom is back, but no longer free
By Kevin Murphy
Controversial domain registry Freenom has returned, barely two and a half years after Facebook owner Meta sued it into the ground in a massive cybersquatting lawsuit. But the company seems to have abandoned the free domains business model it pioneered…
First dot-brand of the year self-terminates
By Kevin Murphy
It’s been almost 10 months since ICANN last received a demand from a dot-brand registry operator to terminate its contract, but 2026 has now had its first such request. Networking gear maker Juniper Networks has asked for its .juniper gTLD…
The Tax Man to get domain takedown powers
By Kevin Murphy
The Tax Man is going to get powers to ask for domains to be taken down in the UK, according to local registry Nominet. His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is set to be added to Nominet’s list of approved law…
Afnic: all your overseas territories are belong to us
By Kevin Murphy
French ccTLD registry Afnic has taken over management of three more ccTLDs assigned to France’s overseas territories, meaning it now looks after all eight such TLDs, according to the company. Afnic is now running .gf (French Guiana), .gp (Guadeloupe) and…
.ru ready to crash as Draconian new rules come in
By Kevin Murphy
One of the world’s most-popular ccTLDs could be on the verge of losing a substantial number of domains after extremely strict eligibility requirements come in to force just weeks from now. Registrants of new and existing .ru domains will need…