NewgTLDProgram.com Blogs

When MKBHD explored the mystery behind ICANN’s “7 Keys to the Internet,” few expected how deeply it connects to the upcoming ICANN New gTLD Next Round 2026. Domain industry expert Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian reacts to the video, explaining how the same organization that secures the global DNS is now preparing to open the gates for a new wave of ICANN custom TLDs — empowering brands, cities, and innovators to shape digital identity, trust, and the future of the web.

Learn how Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian helps companies apply for new gTLD online — from risk assessment and business planning to full ICANN TLD application preparation, RSP coordination, and post-delegation launch. Expert guidance for ICANN custom TLD, generic, or brand new gTLD applications in the upcoming ICANN Next Round.

Want your brand to the right of the dot? This short guide demystifies how to create a top-level domain the ICANN way: what’s in the ICANN Applicant Guidebook, how to apply for new gTLD online (via the official portal), why choosing a pre-evaluated ICANN RSP saves time and risk, and whether the ICANN Applicant Support Program can cut your costs. With the ICANN Next Round projected to open in Q2 2026 for about 12–15 weeks, it’s the moment to turn ambition into an ICANN TLD appl

The expansion of the internet namespace through ICANN’s New gTLD Program has enabled global brands to apply for and operate their own...

In a world where customer trust hinges on authenticity and digital consistency, it's easy to assume that owning your own custom top-level...

E.Leclerc is one of the few major retailers in Europe to ditch .com and embrace its own DotBrand TLD — .leclerc. This case study explores how the French supermarket giant is using its custom top-level domain to streamline branding, improve trust, and take control of its digital presence from root to shelf.

Owning a custom top level domain is about to become practical again: ICANN’s next application window opens in April 2026, giving...

ICANN’s long-awaited Applicant Guidebook for the New gTLD Program 2026 is now public. Here's what changed, what matters, and what every...

Applying for a new gTLD in ICANN’s 2026 round? The $227,000 fee is just the beginning. Learn about the hidden costs—legal, technical, marketing, and more—from the experts at newgtldprogram.com.

Choosing a gTLD string for the 2026 ICANN round? Venkatesh from DotUp shares real strategies to avoid hype and pick a domain extension that actually works.