ICANN reveals bids for new top-level domains

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has disclosed applicants for new generic top-level domains (GTLDs). This marks the second occasion ICANN has accepted applications for GTLDs, similar to commonly recognized domains like ".com" or ".net". ICANN previously controlled the creation and operation of GTLDs, but in 2012, it altered its policy to permit over 1,200 new GTLDs.

This year, ICANN announced it received 1,615 applications. The organization is now working to verify the viability of these applications.

ICANN has made all application information accessible in a searchable format and provided a downloadable list. OpenAI is seeking 15 GTLDs, including .chatgpt and .agi (likely an acronym for artificial general intelligence). Six other entities also want this set of strings. The AI startup has also applied for .mcp, possibly referring to the open source Model Context Protocol.

Google, through its subsidiary Charleston Road Registry, is competing with seven other entities for the .api GTLD. The tech giant has applied for more than 30 new names, with most pertaining to its products.

Anthropic seeks only its own name and .claude, while Microsoft is aiming for two names: .copilot and .msft. Meta faces competition for .superintelligence but is the sole applicant for .wearables. Thirteen entities are vying for .agent, with Meta and Google among the contenders. Salesforce hopes to secure its own name, along with .force, .slack, and .tableau.

Fomalhaut Exploration, an entity named after a star, is interested in .intel, which could signify either Chipzilla acting through a third party or the start of a legal battle. Three parties want to own .drone, while nine contend for .brand. Ten applicants are interested in establishing their own .hub, and two hope to take control of .mars.

Seven operators hope to run .official, a type of domain that brands acquire defensively to ensure they have [companyname].official before someone malicious grabs it. Most applicants are based in North America, with 864 individuals, followed by Europe (506), Asia Pacific (218), Africa (16), and just 11 from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Once multiple parties apply for the same GTLD, ICANN conducts a "community priority evaluation" to determine the most suitable domain, or the rights may be auctioned off. All applications must be decided by November 17, known as String Confirmation Day, after which successful applicants will begin setting up the infrastructure for their new GTLDs.