New gTLDs in Domain Reputation Update Oct 2024 - Mar 2025

This is a report from Spamhaus with a focus on Domain Reputation. Since we focus on new gTLDs "only", there a re a few things in this report that caught my attention:

• Slide three : .TOP continues to be plagued by abuse.
• Slide four on .XIN new gTLD : this TLD also appears later in the report in relation to abuse where cybercriminals are using hyphenated domains.
• Slide 6 : some TLDs are typically known for being low cost, with some promotions offering domains for as little as $1.
• Slide 7 : the Top 20 TLDs used in new domains.
• Slide 8 : The Top 20 gTLDs by % of zone file that are new domains.
• Slide 10 : Trending terms in new domains.
• Slide 12 : Eight out of the top 20 gTLDs by percentage of zone file belong to one registry:
• .town
• .pizza
• .pictures
• .loans
• .academy
• .plus
• .gold
• .legal

Read the 22 pages report here.

From the .BEST to web.Best

Building on the .BEST Top-Level Domain foundation, the team embarked on developing the Best mobile application, which became the cornerstone of web.Best for capturing likes on short-form videos.

Today, web.Best is designed to enhance attraction, engagement and conversion on your own website.

Learn more here.

The .MIT new gTLD : 10 years after

The famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology just renewed its contract with the ICANN : it's been 10 years ! One of the most prestigious university in the world has yet not found a use for its own domain names and has created two after ten years of existence. I found one of them and it is this one : https://nic.mit/.

Just in "ICANN taxes", it cost the MIT $25.000 a year (plus "the rest").

Check the renewal notice here.

Event : Opportunities in the Next Evolution of the DNS

For the first time in more than a decade, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is preparing to launch the application window for the Next Round of generic top-level domains (gTLDs).

On April 9, 2025 at Civic Hall, join ICANN for a discussion on the opportunities for nonprofits and businesses to create their own exclusive, descriptive, and memorable label on the Internet through the operation of a gTLD.

Register now.

Round 2 of new gTLDs : need to check the numbers?

It is difficult to estimate the potential of a niche new gTLD project but "comparing" with existing extensions from the first Round of new gTLDs is an excellent approach.

Check the numbers !

New gTLD reports are monthly domain name registration volumes' captures according to specific groups, businesses or industries. On the last day of each month, we take a snapshot of these numbers so one can see if they increase or decrease for a month to the other.

Check the monthly reports here (next report to be published will be March 2025).

New gTLD providers : more visibility for Round 2 ?

Round 2 of new gTLDs is an important moment for new gTLD service providers to increase sales and reach out to new customers. The objective here is to develop visibility and "sell".

The offer :

This offer is to develop visibility prior to the launching of the next ICANN new gTLD Round to begin in 2026. This offer is to promote service providers' contents related to new generic Top-Level Domains.

Learn more.

How much to operate a .BRAND ?

An fundamental question

If the question about the cost to submit an application is now known, the cost to operate one is now the important one in a .BRAND new gTLD project.

As an approximate guide and depending on how many domains you plan to register in your TLD, this provider answers that question - per year - to operate your dotBrand gTLD, depending on the level of support and outsourcing you require.

Learn more in this article.

Meeting : Next Round of New gTLDs (South Africa)

South Africa: Cape Town Stakeholders breakfast meeting co - hosted with Girl Hype regarding ICANN's upcoming Next Round of New Generic Top-Level Domains (ngTLDs) and the associated Applicant Support Program (ASP). This session aims to create awareness and provide visibility into these exciting initiatives that will shape the future of the Domain Name System.

Learn more here.