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Domains enter a mature phase as AI reshapes discovery, security sharpens, and new gTLDs expand. Once simple addresses, they are becoming critical infrastructure for identity, trust, and automated commerce in the evolving web. more
AI-powered "vibe-coding" is transforming domain registration from manual search into automated, conversational infrastructure, embedding domains directly into software workflows while elevating them into machine-verified trust anchors in an increasingly AI-mediated internet. more
As ICANN opens its 2026 round, firms sharing trademarks must weigh applying for a .BRAND domain against legal risks and competitive loss, with evidence suggesting first movers gain advantage while objections rarely prevail. more
Generative AI has turned brand impersonation from a nuisance into an industrial-scale threat, eroding trust. As ICANN's 2026 round approaches, DotBrand domains promise a structural fix to spoofing that strategies failed to deliver in 2012. more
With the NIS2 Directive now in effect, a new annex to ICANN contracts offers registries and registrars a practical, flexible path to Article 28 compliance. Early adoption has drawn international praise. more
The domain industry in 2025 saw rapid consolidation, rising regulatory pressure, and a strategic pivot toward AI, trust infrastructure, and tokenization, reshaping domains from static web addresses into dynamic assets for digital identity and commerce. more
ICANN will open applications for new top-level domains in April 2026, offering brands a rare chance to secure custom domain names to enhance trust, marketing flexibility, and long-term online security. more
The 2025 domain sentiment survey reveals cautious optimism amid rising AI demand, new regulations, and a resurgent market. With security gaps and DNS shifts in focus, the industry's next chapter hinges on strategic adaptation. more
Despite offering robust protection for the Domain Name System, DNSSEC suffers from poor adoption due to its complexity, cost, and operational risks. Automation and algorithmic improvements now offer practical solutions for broader deployment. more
London-based Com Laude, owned by PX3 Partners, will acquire Markmonitor from Newfold Digital for $450 million, merging two long-established firms in the corporate domain management sector. more
The legitimacy of the ICANN multistakeholder model and its governance framework are facing an existential threat requiring immediate attention. The recently announced results of the ICANN Nominating Committee highlight how the ICANN Board is captured by "affiliated" directors, which threatens its independence and ability to act for the public interest. more
The credibility of ICANN's much-vaunted programme to expand internet domains is under strain. Governments and user representatives have warned that the Applicant Support Program (ASP) - a scheme offering fee discounts to poorer or non-profit applicants for new top-level domains (gTLDs) - is failing to reach its intended beneficiaries. more
Afnic, the French association in charge of the .fr domain and several other Internet Top Level Domains, has published the 2024 edition of its annual analysis "The Global Domain Name Market". Here is a summary of the overarching trends and key figures. more
The ability to rank results according to the level of threat they pose (based on factors such as, for example, the extent to which a webpage relates to a brand of interest) is a key component of many brand protection services. The prioritisation process has a number of purposes, including the identification of: (a) priority targets for further analysis; (b) candidates for content tracking (i.e. regular reinspection of content or configuration, and the generation of an alert if high-concern findings are identified) - as may be appropriate in cases where a domain name presents a high potential level of risk but is not currently associated with any live site content; and (c) priority targets for enforcement actions. more
The domain industry in 2024 revealed notable shifts in registration patterns, signaling an evolving online landscape. According to a newly published report by Namecheap, .shop climbed to become the second-most-popular top-level domain (TLD), boasting over 721,000 registrations, displacing .xyz after years of dominance. Among country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), .me rose to the top, marking its ascent from eighth place in 2023. more