The application window opens April 30th and closes August 12, 2026. The strength of a string means very little without a sound strategy underneath it, and this round will reward those who figured that out before they clicked submit.
Author Archives: Pinkard Alan Brand
Four under-discussed questions worth adding to a 2026 dotBrand TLD decision checklist
I am not anti dotBrand; I am pro clear-eyed decisions, and here are four under discussed questions on governance, transitions, UX friction, and regulatory footprint worth adding to every 2026 dotBrand TLD business case.
Choosing Your Registry Service Provider: One of the Most Consequential Decisions Before April
ICANN’s RSP is here. If you’re planning to apply in April, you have roughly three months to evaluate providers, ask the right questions, and avoid a costly mismatch.
AI Agents and DNS Abuse: The 2026 Conversation the Industry Needs to Have
By 2030, autonomous AI agents could outnumber human domain registrants 3-to-1. The domain industry is building for legitimate use cases, but the real challenge is abuse at machine speed and a new international legal framework that treats DNS operators as evidence holders for the gravest international crimes.
What My Feed Didn’t Show In 2025
Behind industry work was a year of caregiving, loss, and holding things together one obligation at a time.
The 2026 New gTLD Guidebook Is Final: Should You Still Apply?
The official 2026 new gTLD Applicant Guidebook is finally here, and the real question for serious applicants isn’t “Can we apply?” but whether our business case and risk tolerance truly justify it.
Why Reliable Whitelists Matter as Much as Blocklists: Introducing Reputable Domains
Businesses spend days or weeks trying to navigate a broken system while their operations are disrupted.
The solution is not better cleanup. It is prevention.
3 Ways to Launch a New gTLD Without Begging Registrars for Shelf Space (Lessons from 30+ Years in Domains)
The next round is coming. If you think landing enough registrars will magically make your new TLD a success, you’re betting your entire business on someone else’s shelf space.
Must-Visit Dublin Pubs: A Personal Guide
I spent five awesome years in Dublin, working and exploring, and now it feels like a second home. I met my wife there and fell in love with the pubs! I’m sharing my fave spots for drinks, perfect for ICANN84 attendees who want to unwind. Let’s raise a pint! Sláinte!
What Registry Operators Need to Know About Doing Business in China
Big thanks to Kelly Hardy for the great chat about China and for sharing our conversation on her Substack. It means a lot coming from someone who’s seen so much in the industry! Read it here or click the image below.
PINKY BRAND 