The .MADRID Sunrise Perdiod

The Sunrise Period for the .MADRID new gTLD starts today.

The purpose of .MADRID
This content was extracted from the application submitted to the ICANN:

The Comunidad de Madrid (the Government of the Region of Madrid) is applying for the .madrid TLD to serve the Madrid’s community, defined as the community of individuals and legal entities with a bona fide presence, direct or indirect, in the Region of Madrid, including Madrid as the capital of Spain.

The goals of .MADRID are:

• Facilitating digital communications from, to and within the Region of Madrid.
• Providing a platform for the urban development in the digital space of the Region of Madrid.
• Strengthening the image of Madrid in the online world.

This is to be achieved by:

• Actively designing and developing the .madrid TLD name space with a focus on the needs of the Region of Madrid, involving cultural, civil society, business and public-sector stakeholders.
• Allowing registrations of second-level domains in the .madrid TLD by individuals and organizations with a bona fide nexus with the Madrid area.
• Operating the .madrid TLD under the stewardship of the Region of Madrid in consultation with the local public authorities of the area and the private-sector stakeholders. 

The .madrid TLD will be the new trusted domain-name space that offers a secure and global option for local institutions, companies, brands and citizens. It will allow them all to be present online by creating a multicultural space that integrates and facilitates new opportunities; a space that enables the materialization of public and private initiatives in order to promote and strengthen the brand image online driven by the solid image that Madrid already enjoys globally.

As .madrid Registry, the Region of Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid) is well aware of and fully acknowledges, the responsibility that arises from the management of the domain name ad commits to manage it in full respect of the interest of both the .madrid and the larger Internet communities.

The constant and sustained effort made during the last years, makes that the implementation of the Information Society in the Madrid area is a consolidated fact and in this sense, the Region of Madrid is the most suitable public institution to execute the management and running of the .madrid TLD.

Dates:

• START: Tuesday, 16 July, 2019 - 16:00
• END: Thursday, 3 October, 2019 - 16:00

To learn more, check the TMCH website.

A .PROVENCE new gTLD coming?

Dixit Wikipedia, "Provence is a geographical region and historical province of southeastern France, which extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east, and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south".

Domains ending in .PROVENCE

That is what the website says and it is located here. There is a twitter account too. Checking again, the account was opened in 2015 which means that the project is not so new and actually, I remember travelling to Provence for an old meeting about that project before 2012.

My opinion on such project:

1. There is no doubt that a .PROVENCE makes a strong sense for the identity of the French Provence: for Tourism and Culture, I am definitely buying. Actually, I am more buying for the Cultural aspect because that is an excellent opportunity to distribute knowledge about this location's culture, in the long term.
2. For SEO, I am definitely buying too because any company connected to the subject of Provence takes the lead developing another version of its website in another language, using this domain name: 2 websites connecting one to the other is good for their positioning on search engines. Also it often happens that French tourism websites also have an English translation: drop the long URL and use a second domain name. If you have two languages already, maintaining two websites instead of one will not require so much extra work but a few changes.
3. Sales is where I have a doubt. There are many similar projects and we've learnt that it takes time for end users to come to buy such highly identical domain names. Financing such projects often comes from taxpayers and if I agree to pay taxes to finance such TLDs, I disagree completely when operators/owners of the projects keep using ".com" or ".fr" domain names when they should show the way: shouldn't official websites massively promote such domain names and start with "using them"? What about front pages and newsletters of these official websites: shouldn't they "always" refer to the existence of such domain names and point to their registration? "Don't do what I do, just do what I say".

Tip: did you investigate your Wikipedia pages and add your TLD to them? This is about culture and history too ;-)

Now more simple to find a new gTLD

Super happy to announce that my fix to properly recognize new gTLDs is now live in the Google app and search bar on Android. Upgrade to today's release, type in a domain on a new gTLD, and it'll immediately go to that domain (like desktop Chrome does) rather than searching it.

— Ben McIlwain (@CydeWeys) July 9, 2019

The Challenge of 20K .BEST domains

Guys, we are 3 days now from our 1st .Best year anniversary and very close to our initial objective to be at 20K on 14 July 2019. Countdown is on ! Stay tuned.#best #execution #growth #business #plan #businessplan #vision #startup #x10 #icann #tld #domain #domains #wearethebest pic.twitter.com/o5VBmXIA4I

— Cyril.Best (@FremontCyril) July 11, 2019

Companies and generic gTLDs

New gTLD registration volumes from extensions that I believe Companies should keep an eye on. Most are generic Domain name extensions. Some IDNs (extensions with accents or non ASCII) were added to this list. Two legacy Top-Level Domains were added to this report.

This report is dated June the 30th 2019.

2019	February	March	April	May	June
.SITE	1,022,967	1,146,460	1,211,631	1,326,007	1,465,755
.ONLINE	1,207,092	1,235,957	1,261,262	1,290,369	1,295,101
.APP	372,341	383,774	392,881	403,129	444,213
.WEBSITE	315,689	323,484	327,616	334,242	339,303
.BLOG	195,987	199,856	202,533	205,169	208,836
.WORLD	137,939	145,880	152,906	157,918	163,474
.EMAIL	84,525	85,499	85,955	86,375	85,865
.GROUP	67,649	68,577	69,096	69,568	69,545
.COMPANY	69,621	69,613	69,219	68,774	67,744
.GLOBAL	47,205	48,042	48,395	48,583	48,796
.公司 (company)	42,952	42,916	42,909	42,480	42,320
.EXPERT	35,077	35,291	35,384	35,428	34,851
.商标 (trademark)	25,069	25,157	25,575	25,852	26,153
.INTERNATIONAL	25,438	25,606	25,584	25,596	25,623
.SUPPORT	24,252	24,368	24,544	24,687	24,652
.PAGE	11,065	13,938	16,338	18,397	21,186
.BEST	6,104	12,083	13,517	16,032	18,936
.BUZZ	9,761	10,187	10,329	10,435	10,559
.CEO	2,720	3,738	2,757	2,732	2,711
.集团 (corporate group)	1,212	1,888	1,866	1,288	2,057
.世界 (world)	1,438	1,438	1,443	1,444	1,446
.CONTACT	1	1	1	1	1
.WEB	coming	coming	coming	coming	coming
Legacy TLDs:
.COM	138,388,746	139,127,705	139,707,934	140,130,725	140,641,735
.PRO	296,521	297,158	295,281	291,457	290,074

In red are listed the number of domain names lost from a month to the other, in blue, when the increase is noticeable.

New gTLD Reports for June/July 2019

At the end of each month, are updated 20 new gTLD reports with a focus on the number of domain names registered in categorized domain name extensions. Are listed in red the volumes of domains which decrease from a month to the other, and in blue when the increase is noticeable.

Down each report, you can select the year of interest and check if users have shown interest...or not.

1. New gTLDs related to LUXURY (.rich - .yachts - .chanel - etc...);
2. New gTLDs related to the MUSIC community (.music - .band - .hiphop - etc...);
3. Multiple Registries : group of Registries operating five (5) and more domain name extensions;
4. Singular VS Plural versions of a new gTLD : these are domain name extensions which exist in their singular and plural version (ie: .gift and .gifts);
5. New gTLDs related to CATERING and CULINARY (.restaurant - .kitchen - .bar - etc...);
6. New gTLDs related to PHOTOGRAPHY (.photo - .film - .gallery - etc...);
7. New gTLDs related to CITIES : these are city names only (.london - .tokyo - etc...);
8. New gTLDs related to COMPANIES : new domain name extensions that we believe a company should keep its eyes on;
9. NEW - New gTLDs related to POLITICS (.gop - .vote - .republican - .democrat - etc...);
10. New gTLDs related to the LAW and LEGAL matters (.legal - .attorney - .lawyer - etc...);
11. New gTLDs related to FINANCE (.credit - .capital - .finance - etc...);
12. New gTLDs related to a COLOR (.orange - .pink - .green - etc...);
13. New gTLDs related to SPORTS (.hockey - .basketball - .ski - etc...);
14. New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL (.beer - .wine - .vodka - etc...);
15. New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE (.realestate - .realtor - .villas - etc...);
16. FRENCH new gTLD applications : these are applications submitted by French companies only;
17. New gTLDs related to RELIGION (.catholic - .bible - .church - etc...);
18. New gTLDs related to CARS (.taxi - .auto - .car - etc...);
19. New gTLDs related to HEALTH (.health - .doctor - .hospital - etc...);
20. New gTLDs related to ADULTS (no comment).

Official Agreement signed between .BEST and .FR

The document is available for download in French down this post.

Le .Best conclut un accord de partenariat historique avec le .fr pour favoriser l’adoption des noms de domaine en France !

Paris, le 3 Juillet 2019 – THE BEST, la première et seule entreprise Française à avoir réussi à racheter une Nouvelle Extension Générique Internet : le .Best, est heureux d’annoncer la conclusion d’un accord de partenariat historique en France avec l’Afnic, l’association en charge des noms de domaine en .fr et premier registre internet français.

Ensemble, .Best et .fr encouragent ainsi l’adoption des noms de domaine sur le marché français. C’est une alliance entre 2 entreprises Françaises, qui placent les valeurs éthiques de l’internet et l’excellence au premier plan.

Cet accord permettra notamment d’offrir gratuitement un nom de domaine en .Best à tous les utilisateurs qui enregistreront un nom de domaine en .fr chez tous les bureaux d’enregistrement Français partenaires de cette opération.

“Nous sommes très fiers d’avoir comme premier partenaire l’Afnic, qui s’est engagé depuis sa création dans une démarche éthique très forte qui contribue au quotidien à un internet plus sûr et stable en France. Il s’agit d’un accord historique puisque c’est aussi le premier partenariat entre une nouvelle extension générique internet (le .best) et une extension internet de pays (le .fr)” – affirme Cyril Frémont, le CEO du .Best

“Depuis son acquisition en 2018, le .Best se développe et se présente comme une initiative portée par une jeune entreprise Française. L'Afnic, leader français du secteur des noms de domaine, accueille avec intérêt et enthousiasme l'apparition d'un nouvel acteur français, dont nous espérons qu'il pourra devenir un champion dans le secteur des noms de domaines génériques. Cette promotion visant à permettre la découverte du .Best pour l'achat d'un nom de domaine en .fr illustre cette volonté d'accompagner les acteurs français des noms de domaine.” complète Pierre Bonis, Directeur Général de l’Afnic.

A propos de THE BEST
Fondée en 2018, THE BEST est la première et unique société française à exploiter une nouvelle extension internet générique de premier niveau : le .Best

Cyril Frémont, Président de THE BEST, est un entrepreneur Internet depuis 1996. Il a débuté sa carrière dans la Silicon Valley et participé au succès de plusieurs startups internet : ARIBA, INTERSHOP, … Il a fallu 5 ans à Cyril Frémont pour compléter l'acquisition du .Best avec l’aide d’investisseurs privés, et le soutien de BPI France.

Contact Presse:

presse@go.best

Bernard-Xavier Spokojny +33 (0)6 03 25 28 77

Laurence Caron +33 (0)6 09 24 36 85

@BestTLD

#thebest

Download the agreement (PDF download)

ICANN Round 2: What You Should Know

This article was first published on CircleID.

There are 2 things to know and 1 thing to do "first".

What you should know

1. We need a date. Even the ICANN has no clue when the next round will start and if it does, you should know that the first round has to be finished prior for the next one to start. This is what the previous applicant guidebook says. Read it if you feel like entering our strange world. No exact definition of "first round has to be finished prior for the next one starts" so clearly...it is really up to the ICANN to give us a date but according to what I read, some cases are not yet ended and the .AMAZON new gTLD is a good example to give. I read that the ICANN would announce a date in the Marrakesh meeting...great. Note that without an official announcement from the ICANN with a firm date of the next round...nothing happens.
2. We need the latest applicant guidebook. This one is a long story and a long document to write. Many groups are working on it for the ICANN but...you have to participate to them and "attend webinars" to follow-up with this. Note that once the applicant guidebook has been revealed, it is the same for all and there is no "passe droit" at the ICANN to have your application submitted first before your competitor. I would even suggest not to deal with ICANN insiders (who can also be new gTLD service providers) too much because no one knows if conflict of interests could be revealed, putting the submission of your application in danger. Without the official - and final - applicant guidebook announced and published by the ICANN...nothing happens. ICANN decides.

What you should do "first"

There is one obvious thing to do FIRST: what do you want to do with your domain name extension?

• If you want to sell domain names becoming a registry, you have to know if there is a market and you should study numbers too: if neither a market nor numbers are there, you will waste your money and fail your project. Think that Premium domain names will save your project? Good luck to you then but it is a risky decision. Note that if your TLD is any good (.DRONE - .SEO - .TRANSLATE - .WHATEVER...)...but not so good in the end, there could be someone (a backend-registry service providers, entrepreneur, etc...) to buy it from you to help you get rid of it...or not. But is that what you want to achieve? There are failed projects and some keep failing still because...demand is not there.
  Before you take the decision to invest in a new gTLD, put some imagination in your business model and don't focus on selling domain names only, there are other things to do with a new gTLD...unless you have the right market.
• If you want to apply for your .BRAND domain name extension, you should watch what's being done and wonder if it is worth it to do the same financially because operating your .BRAND means that you have access to all domain names in your TLD: ALL OF THEM. Isn't it interesting to be able to operate a generic domain name such as www.yourservice.brand or www.yourproduct.brand? What about www.pizza.brand when you sell pizzas? It is and that is what .BRAND new gTLDs are for. But at what price?
  A good question to have is: how much is it going to cost me to register one single domain name in my extension when any domain name from another public domain name extension would cost you $10 to 20$ per year to renew?
  Is it worth it for my image, or project, to pay a high price per personalized domain name? Many existing .BRANDs never had these questions and just secured their extension at an extremely high price...to do nothing with it (note that securing a .BRAND TLD for no purpose can be a project).
  I personally believe that it is worth it to pay a higher price per domain name per year for a .BRAND but this calculation should be done on the global price per year to maintain your TLD at the backend registry level (and other service providers); and ensure that you understood this pricing: you don't want to find out that it cost you an average of $800 per year (and sometimes much more) for one single domain name registered, do you?

What you should do first is simple and very basic actually: don't repeat failures from the first round of the ICANN new gTLD program. Want to ask the right person on what works and what does not work? Don't hire a new gTLD service provider, talk to the operator of a registry ;-)

Follow-up with new gTLDs
Now you read "what you should know", you'll probably want to know where to go to be informed and I created a place just for this. Also, be sure that such announcements will be made on CircleId by most service providers.