The New Domains

Until the rollout of the new domains begins, there are only two categories of domain names — generic and "country code". Generics are top level domains (TLDs) like .com, .net, .org and .info. There are only around 22 of these, and some are small specialized registries like .museum and .aero. There are around 280 country code domains, like .fr for France and .com.au for Australia. This limitation on the domain name system (DNS) has caused a shortage and squeeze on useful domains in light of the rapid growth trajectory of the internet.

The number of meaningful single and double word combinations is after all very finite.

This is about to change. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, (ICANN) the regulator of the DNS, has launched a program to introduce more than a thousand new domain strings that are set to transform the web.

Exact numbers are unknown since there is a complicated objection and approval process, not to mention multiple applications for many of the proposed domain strings. But there were originally about 1900 applications made for around 1400 new strings.

The Dot Generics

Joining the existing ranks of a limited number of generic domain strings will be around 650 new generics like .home, .game, .insurance, .web and .music. These will give unprecedented opportunities for new players to deploy relevant names on the net.

See also the Generic Domains page for more info.

The generic applications are not without strong controversy — many applications are for monopolistic closed registries as described on the Controversy page.

This serious issue is analysed in fine detail on the SuperMonopolies website and a large number of objections to the proposed closed gTLDs are examined.

The Dot Brands

The arrival of the brand domains may well qualify as one of the biggest transformations in the history of the web. Around 680 of the world's most successful corporations have applied for their own domain extension. Hundreds of big names like .google, .apple, .canon, .alibaba and .philips will soon be operating their own private internets. They will invest heavily to promote brand new sites based on their own exclusive dot brand domains.

Names like News.bbc, Flights.delta, CreditCard.visa, Tires.goodyear, Camera.nikon and Saloon.jaguar will compete for attention on the ever-expanding web.

For a brief overview of this significant development, visit the Brand Domains page.

To read a comprehensive report about this milestone in the history of the internet, visit our sister site TheBrandDomains.

The Dot Cities

Many of the world's largest and wealthiest cities (and a few regions) have also been allowed to apply for domain strings in another new category. So various places like .berlin, .joberg, .london, .moscow and .quebec will soon join the internet with new offerings. See more on the City Domains page.

SPECIAL NOTE — Many internationalized domain names (IDNs) which are domains in various foreign languages and scripts will also be launched across all categories and detailed info can be obtained at ICANN's website.

The Dominance Of Dot Com

Over the last few decades the .com string has evolved into the world standard for domain names. To be the global market or media leader in just about anything requires a premium dot com domain. While the eminent position of .com is unlikely to change, it's growth is likely to slow down while millions of new websites on alternate extensions take their place on the web. Collectively, these new strings look set to become significant and powerful destinations on the interweb.

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