ICANN reveals bids for new top-level domains

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has disclosed the applicants for new generic top-level domains (GTLDs). This is the second time ICANN has accepted applications for such domains, following a change in policy in 2012 that allowed over 1,200 new GTLDs. This year, ICANN received 1,615 applications for these domains.

A process is underway to confirm the viability of these applications. Information about all the applications is available in a searchable format, along with a downloadable list that was meticulously reviewed to report on the following applications.

OpenAI is seeking 15 GTLDs, including .chatgpt and .agi, potentially an acronym for artificial general intelligence. Six other entities also want the .agi domain. The AI startup also applied for .mcp, possibly referring to the open-source Model Context Protocol. Google is competing with six other entities for the .api GTLD. Through its subsidiary Charleston Road Registry, Google has applied for over 30 new names, most related to its products.

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

Fomalhaut Exploration, a company named after a star, wants .intel, which could either be a reference to the chipmaker or the start of a legal dispute. Three contenders are vying for .drone, while nine are competing over .brand. Ten applicants aim to create their own .hub, and two are hoping for .mars. Seven operators aspire to manage .official domains, which are often purchased defensively by brands to prevent others from acquiring similar names.

Geographically, most applicants are from North America, with 864 entities, followed by 506 from Europe, 218 from Asia Pacific, 16 from Africa, and just 11 from Latin America and the Caribbean. When multiple parties apply for the same GTLD, ICANN first conducts a "community priority evaluation" to determine the most suitable recipient.

If no resolution is reached, the rights to the domain go to auction. All applications must be finalized by November 17, known as String Confirmation Day, after which successful applicants can begin establishing a registry for their new GTLDs. Registrations using the new GTLDs are expected to be available next year.