The short version
- ICANN is processing applications from 481 entities for more than 1,600 new top-level domains, marking the first such round in several years.
- Major technology companies including Meta and OpenAI are competing for generic AI-related suffixes like .agent and .agi as well as branded extensions.
- The applications reflect a strategic shift toward securing digital real estate that aligns with emerging artificial intelligence products and corporate branding efforts.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has initiated its first round of new top-level domain applications in several years, releasing a preliminary list of more than 1,600 requests submitted by nearly 500 distinct applicants. This development signals a renewed interest in expanding the internet’s address space, with a notable concentration of activity centered on artificial intelligence terminology and corporate branding strategies.
Among the most contested categories are generic domains associated with AI capabilities. Ten separate organizations have applied for the .agent suffix, while seven entities, including OpenAI, seek control over .agi. The competition extends to other variations as well, with six applicants targeting .asi, a term linked to recent political rhetoric regarding superintelligence. Four companies have expressed interest in .intelligence, and Meta is one of two firms pursuing the lengthy .superintelligence extension.
OpenAI has emerged as one of the most active participants in this cycle, submitting applications for fifteen different top-level domains. Its portfolio includes both generic terms and specific product identifiers such as .chatgpt, .codex, .openai, and .gpt. Meta is similarly aggressive, with twenty-one applications that cover a broad spectrum of its digital ecosystem.
The second major category of requests involves branded domains, allowing companies to establish their own unique suffixes. There are 345 such applications in the current batch, ranging from financial institutions like Bank of America to retail brands like Applebee’s. Tech firms are also leveraging this opportunity; Meta has applied for .facebook, .instagram, .messenger, .meta, .frommeta, and .threads. Bluesky is seeking .bsky, potentially to integrate the extension directly into user handles.
Anthropic has joined the fray with requests for .anthropic and .claude, aligning its domain strategy with its primary product offerings. These branded extensions could serve multiple functions, from creating memorable landing pages for specific services to standardizing social media identities across platforms. The trend suggests that major technology players view domain ownership as a critical component of their long-term brand architecture.
In contrast to the high-stakes corporate maneuvering, the application pool also contains hundreds of generic requests with broader appeal. These range from niche interests like .geek and .anime to more whimsical options such as .haha and .jackpot. One particularly unusual entry is .itiswhatitis, highlighting the diverse and sometimes unconventional nature of the proposals under review.
The path to approval remains uncertain. While some newer extensions like .ai and .app have gained traction due to specific industry trends, many previous attempts to introduce descriptive domains such as .restaurant or .babysitting failed to gain widespread adoption. The traditional dominance of .com and a few other established suffixes has persisted, suggesting that consumer habits are slow to change despite the availability of alternatives.
This current round represents only an initial step in a lengthy regulatory process. No new domains will be officially activated before next year, as ICANN must evaluate each application for technical feasibility, market need, and potential confusion with existing addresses. The outcome will likely reflect a balance between accommodating corporate branding desires and maintaining the stability of the global domain name system.
The surge in AI-related applications underscores how deeply artificial intelligence has permeated the technology sector’s strategic planning. Even as the industry grapples with the practical implications of advanced models, companies are securing the digital infrastructure necessary to support their future products. The competition for these suffixes indicates that domain names remain a valuable asset in the digital economy.
As ICANN moves forward with its evaluation, the focus will shift from quantity to quality and viability. The final list of approved domains will provide insight into which trends regulators deem sustainable and which are merely speculative. For now, the applications serve as a snapshot of where major tech firms see the internet heading in the coming decade.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Verge↗It appears .agent and .agi are about to be the hot new domains
