.FORUM in test with Google?

We like to speculate on new gTLDs, don't we? The .FORUM new gTLD is brought to market by Top Level Spectrum, the registry operator behind .forum, .realty, and a suite of industry-specific domains. It is what the front page of the Registry says.

Was it acquired by Google?
The reason why I publish this post is that ".forum" domain names are not yet available for registration and the list of Registrars, on the Registry's website, is empty.

The .FORUM new gTLD is, like .CONTACT or .EMAIL, an extension in which we believe, will be successful.

In Test
Two pages (different from the "nic") are indexed in Google:

1. A Google page: http://domaintest.forum/
2. And a redirection pointing to a page with no content: smarterinternet.forum.

The question is: why is the only proper indexed page on Google one belonging to Google?

Milestone: 3,000+ new gTLD readers

I just hit "new gTLD" in the search field to check what was said on LinkedIn about new gTLDs and noticed that there are several words used to inform about this subject. There are several groups too.

It the word "new gTLDs" is often used by professionals, we tend more to talk about "branding" or "brand protection" today. Subjects to which is added the subject of new gTLDs.

Milestone

Surprisingly, I also noticed that a milestone was reached: there are now more than 3,000 members to have subscribed to the "New gTLDs (New generic Top-Level Domains)" group.

Note to the members of this group

I was asked why I post about certain events, certain companies and no others:

• I try to post about everything that covers the subject of new gTLDs but domaining because this is of no interest for real users and there is another group to post about this.
• Please post: I can't catch everything;
• 1/5 of the content that I collect is published in this group. This is not a lot compared to what the free Newsletter offers. To get it all, you should subscribe to the New gTLD Newsletter.

3,000 people are interested!

Posting to this group takes a few seconds: you just need to do two things:

1. paste your link in the text field (it will link to your website online);
2. add a Title in the object field and click on "Post". You're done.

New gTLDs: New Domain Research & Tactics

What does "oui.sncf" mean

One might have noticed the recent announcement of the SNCF to start using "oui.sncf" as a domain name in a close future.

The SNCF is not only changing domain name, it is changing one of its major brands so, as you can expect, "we're in France" and very few seem positive about this for the moment. I read a lot of critics in regard to this change of name so if such announcement does not mean much for train travellers - at least for today - it means a lot for the promotion of new gTLDs, here is why.

What does it mean for end users?
People don't like change so one can imagine what's happening when the number one train company, which has existed for generations, changes its name. If I strongly believe that the French company will be sanctioned by train travellers when the new website is announced, I also imagine the kind of question the SNCF online support will receive: "I don't understand, the website does not work anymore, I cannot order my ticket". Clients will need to adapt, and they will.

"oui.sncf" instead of "voyages.sncf"?
There is a change of Brand and "Oui.sncf" seems to be coming with an offer entitled "inOui" I see two changes here when the previous website was named www.voyages-sncf.com. Was a new name absolutely necessary? Wasn't it less confusing to innovate with a name clients could understand? I fear that there will be a little confusion but let's be optimistic: innovation remains here.

Security is highly increased for clients
Unfortunately, the SNCF clients won't be able to see it but their security, navigating on the new https://oui.sncf website (not live yet) will be highly increased. With the complete ownership of the ".sncf" domain name extension, the SNCF controls every registered domain name. When a domain name extension is open for registrations "to all", it means that anyone can register an homoglyph...

What does it mean for "new gTLDs"?
Who worries about what it means for our industry? :-)

".com" Domainers
".com" Domainers don't like new gTLDs and they like to make it known. We read a lot about how negative ".com" domainers can be about the ICANN new gTLD program. After so many months trying to understand why, there's two things that I noticed:

1. Domainers are professionals of the domain name industry: they buy and resell domain names. It is important to understand that new gTLDs have flooded the market so when the offer of domain names becomes so high in such a short period of time, it means a lot more domain names available on the market. This can kill the ".com" demand: ".com" domainers' benefits.
2. Domainers are not representative of users: live website owners are.

The reason why I refer to the domaining community here is that, combined to the annoyance of a change, the message sent to end users is bad to our business: our industry has a hard time promoting new domain name extensions. There is a new market where those affected by this change are the one to talk loud because they reside online all day long. When reading between the lines, this is just a matter of time. New gTLDs need time to become popular and used and not to forget that the young generation is growing up with new gTLDs.

Communication

There are plenty of methods to promote (and sell) new domain names: press releases, advertising online, on TV, paper ads, affiliation, price reductions at the Registrar, direct deals with major institutions, and I won't certainly talk about those that are not made public.

The number one communication that our industry needs is "use" and it is exactly what the SNCF is about to contribute to. The advantage that I see in the SNCF announcement is that it is going to communicate loud and this will go right into the ears of BtoB and BtoC consumers (future Registrants).

In one word; the SNCF is about to do the best "new domain names" promotion job that our industry needs. Whatever end-users say or write then, what matters is that they are trained to see new domain names.

Who's next?

SNCF is a major French player to help us develop our business but we need more. If the SNCF sends a strong sign to other French .BRAND new gTLD applicants, I believe that McDonald's and its .MCDONALDS and MCD new gTLDs would contribute to educate consumers too.

The .STOCKHOLM new gTLD

The Trademark Clearinghouse just announced the Sunrise Period for .STOCKHOLM new domain names.

WHEN

• START: Thursday, 15 June, 2017 - 16:00;
• END: Saturday, 15 July, 2017 - 16:00.

Check the TMCH calendar for details.

WHAT
Here are interesting extracts of what the application submitted to ICANN says:

The purpose of the City of Stockholm’s own gTLD .stockholm is twofold:

1. First, .stockholm will be a strong marketing tool, being part of a greater strategy for the City of Stockholm, aimed at the international business public. The purpose is that the City of Stockholm once more states its strong position as a highly modern and innovative city, using cutting edge technology to deliver the infrastructure needed in order to enable its business community to be successful in their area of expertise and to continue to attract international companies for investment.
2. Secondly, .stockholm shall be used as reliable and trusted communication tool for the citizens of Stockholm in their contacts with the city and its service providers. It will be the official channel for communication from its own institutions like municipal offices, schools, hospitals, events etc. to the citizens of Stockholm. .stockholm will be used as a strong communication tool aimed at Stockholm’s citizens, ensuring the origin of message, communicated either by email or web, leading to enhanced consumer trust in the field of online communication and marketing. .stockholm is part of a greater plan to enable the citizens of Stockholm the ultramodern lifestyle they expect from their city. 

There are more than 1400 ICT companies in the area – employing approximately 25 000 people. In order to continue this positive development, the City of Stockholm has to keep up the pace, taking advantage of new possibilities such as controlling its own gTLD .stockholm in order to remain the top city of innovative forerunners.

Digital technology is not only important in order to improve service, but also from a sustainability perspective. Having a well developed service sector and a wide use of broadband services among citizens, schools and companies gives the opportunity for a sustainable life style. Thus Stockholm was appointed Europe’s first Environmental Capital by the EU in 2010. Stockholm sees its own gTLD .stockholm as natural further development of the digital services already offered to the local business community as of today.

However, with more and more services available online, the city’s need for a high control and security level increases. The demand is for 100% reassurance when using e-services with private data. Communicating with the City’s inhabitants via .stockholm websites and email addresses, will have the possibility to enhance citizens trust that can increase the citizen´s use of city e-services.

Objectives of the gTLD .stockholm
Stockholm is growing and sustainability and smart services are used to attract citizens, investors, business people and visitors. The City of Stockholm wants to take an active part in shaping the Internet of the future, and contribute to the digital development. Therefore, the City of Stockholm is investing in creating its own gTLD for all city services and activities.

In conclusion, the objective of .stockholm is to:

• Increase the visibility of the City of Stockholm, as well as the accessibility and usability of e-services for its citizens.
• Attract companies and coveted business people to the Stockholm region and to enable them a smooth and successful business entry by facilitating information transparency and increasing service availability."

Check the complete application here.

Coming: "oui.sncf"

SNCF coming to new gTLDs with:https://t.co/TnUS3l9NS8 : congratulations!
More in French: https://t.co/7DqKiKI2fq#scnf @scnf #dotbrands

— Jovenet Consulting (@gtldconsulting) May 29, 2017

New gTLDs: "last week"

Each week, there is an important cover about new generic Top-Level Domains: events, delegations, launchings, innovations, etc...and a lot is said. This post covers what was said yesterday. I strongly suggest to subscribe to this Newsletter to receive all NEWS directly in your email.

1. Two new gTLDs were just delegated:
1. .ARAB
2. .xn--ngbrx (عرب, "Arab", /arab/)
2. New Gtlds, the series: Read chapter 1;
3. Event coming: http://brandsand.domains/ ("the only event dedicated to .brands");
4. Approval of the Global Amendment to the Base New gTLD Registry Agreement;
5. Successful Domain Investor Hates New GTLD Domains!
6. A .com Domain is No Longer Necessary;
7. “The Domain Sector is Simply Fascinating";
8. Richemont kills off two more dot-brands;
9. Interesting move: https://www.sixt.global/
10. INTA cover:
1. Don’t read too much into the lack of ‘.brand’ registrations;
2. Dot Brand Domains: A Work In Progress (download the PDF).
11. What the New gTLDs Mean for Higher Education Institutions;
12. Just dropped 198 New gTLD domains and saved $45,000;
13. Event coming: The NDD.camp (June 26, 2017, from 11 am to 18 pm);
14. The DomainTools Report Spring 2017;
15. The CSC new Brand (read the short story).

Read more NEWS  (much more)

The CSC new brand

I just read the publication about CSC announcing its new brand. CSC is one of the largest Corporate Registrars worldwide, also offering to submit ".BRAND" new gTLD applications to the ICANN.
I like the new logo by the way.

The website explaining the change says: "Our email addresses will remain the same, and our home URL will still be cscglobal.com". OK.

CSC is not the owner of the ".CSC" new gTLD. The owner is the client of another company which application was submitted by one of its closest competitors: Markmonitor. I went to the ".CSC" new gTLD application and ended on this website which says (read on top): "CSC and HPE Enterprise Services are now DXC Technology".

Two questions:

1. I understand that DXC Technology does not really need the" .CSC" new gTLD anymore so what to do with it: drop it or sell it...something else?
2. What about a ".DXC" Technology new gTLD in the next round of the ICANN new gTLD program?

Caroline: reading this?