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.
Category Archives: New gTLDs
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.
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.
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.
A Female Perspective on the Domain Industry
My discussion with Mou, a woman of color, born in India, raised in Canada, working for an Italian company, and doing business in China.
How .BANK addresses the Cybersecurity Problem
Watch or listen to my interview with Drew Schiff at fTLD, and learn more about the .bank story, and how they are making the internet a safer place for banks and their customers.
Premium Domain Names | A .cloud & European perspective
Besides heading up Premium Names at .cloud, Shaun speaks six languages, and founded and runs a children’s charity based in Kenya. Watch or listen to our discussion.
Managing Domain Name Abuse
How can a registry or registrar reduce the amount of duplicative and non-actionable abuse reports? How do you get off a blacklist or bad list? Should there be evidence standards from the reputation/blacklist providers? And more…
PINKY BRAND 