After 14 Years: ICANN Reopens New Generic Top-Level Domain Applications

Introduction: A Major Expansion of the Internet Domain Name System

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) officially announced on April 30 that the 2026 round of the new gTLD (generic top-level domain) program has opened its application window. This marks the first time in 14 years — since 2012 — that ICANN has launched a new round of generic top-level domain applications, signaling yet another major expansion of the global internet domain name system.

Looking Back: The Domain Name 'Big Bang' of 2012

The last gTLD application round dates back to 2012, which gave rise to over 1,200 new generic top-level domains spanning a wide range of categories — from brand domains like ".microsoft" and geographic domains like ".africa" to public interest domains like ".eco." The introduction of these new domains significantly enriched the internet's namespace, offering more options for corporate branding and industry segmentation.

However, the 14-year wait also allowed substantial demand to build up across the industry. With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, the desire among enterprises, organizations, and communities for personalized, exclusive top-level domains has intensified, making this new round of applications a long-awaited development.

Key Highlight: Supporting 27 Scripts to Embrace a Multilingual Internet

One of the most notable changes in this round is that ICANN will accept gTLD applications expressed in 27 different scripts. This initiative dramatically expands the number of languages supported by Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), meaning billions of users worldwide who rely on non-Latin writing systems — including those using Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, and other scripts — will be able to access and use the internet more conveniently.

This multilingual strategy reflects ICANN's core mission of promoting a "globally inclusive internet." For a long time, the domain name system dominated by English and Latin characters has created an invisible digital barrier for non-English-speaking users, and this round of reform is expected to significantly lower that barrier.

Application Threshold: $227,000 Per Evaluation

According to information released by ICANN, the evaluation fee for the 2026 round is set at $227,000 per application (approximately 1.552 million RMB at current exchange rates). This price represents an increase from the $185,000 fee in the 2012 round, but given inflation and upgrades to the evaluation process, the increase remains within a reasonable range.

The application submission window for this round will officially close on August 12, 2026. Interested enterprises and organizations must complete all preparation and submission of materials before that date.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The launch of this new gTLD application round is expected to have far-reaching implications across several dimensions:

• Brand Digital Asset Strategy: Major tech companies and multinational corporations may seize this opportunity to apply for proprietary brand top-level domains, further strengthening their digital brand identity
• Naming Demands from AI and Emerging Industries: With the booming development of artificial intelligence, Web3, and other emerging fields, a wave of top-level domain applications related to new technologies is likely to emerge
• Multilingual Internet Adoption: Support for 27 scripts will drive further internet penetration in developing countries and regions
• Domain Investment Market Activity: The introduction of new gTLDs typically triggers a fresh wave of enthusiasm in the domain investment and trading market

At a time when AI technology is permeating every industry, each upgrade to internet infrastructure could open new gateways for intelligent applications. The birth of a new batch of generic top-level domains may well provide AI-driven digital services with a richer namespace and a more precise brand identification system.