New Round of New Top-Level Domain Applications Ope

Schedule:

The new Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) program: The new round is expected to start in April 2026. (The specific date and application method will be determined by the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) to be released by ICANN in 2025.

If an enterprise wants to manage and operate its brand new top-level domain by itself, it must participate in the RSP program.

Timeline:

*The new gTLD application submission period is expected to start in April 2026, lasting for 12-15 weeks. 
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RSP Pre-Evaluation Submission Period is expected to start on November 19, 2024, and end on May 20, 2025.

ASP: Non-profit Organization Incentive Program

For non-profit organizations applying for new top-level domains, there will be a 75% to 80% fee reduction. Commercial enterprises are not eligible for this program.

RSP: Registry Service Provider Evaluation Program

     RSP refers to the technical and service evaluation procedures carried out to ensure the smooth operation of the new top-level domain after it is applied for. 

Some enterprises may not be familiar with new top-level domains or may be puzzled about why they should apply for their enterprise brand as a new top-level domain suffix. Here is a unified introduction.

A new top-level domain refers to the newly added top-level domains in the Internet domain name system. Top-level domains are the highest-level classification in the domain name system, usually composed of a few letters, such as .com, .org, .net, etc. New top-level domains refer to the new domain name suffixes added in addition to traditional top-level domains, such as .vip, .shop, .fun, and so on.

1. Enterprises can operate their brand as a new top-level domain suffix, such as Baidu's .baidu, Google's .google, China Unicom's .unicom, etc. After applying the brand as a new top-level domain, the enterprise becomes the registry of this suffix, and can authorize other registrars to act on behalf of registration business, and realize profits through domain name registration.

Of course, in addition to applying for their own brand, enterprises can also participate in the bidding for some popular suffixes and strive to become the operator to make profits. For example, Google's .app suffix and GMO Group's .shop suffix in Japan are all successful operation examples.

Of course, compared with open registration, more enterprises use their brand new top-level domains for their own use or brand protection.

SeaArea's brand top-level domain application service aims to help enterprises understand the relevant issues of brand top-level domain applications, formulate the correct strategy, carry out risk assessment before application, research and investigation, assist in writing relevant materials during the application, coordinate relevant organizational relations, and help enterprises understand relevant compliance operation policies and assist in market promotion and other one-stop operation solutions.