ICANN’s 2026 gTLD applications show shift from apps to AI agents
in plain words
ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN is running a new round where companies apply for new website endings, like .com but different. In 2026, the most popular requested ending is .agent, wanted by big names like Google, OpenAI and Meta, showing the internet now cares about AI helpers instead of phone apps. Back in 2012, the top choice was .app. A writer at CircleID compared the two rounds to show how much the internet has changed.
ICANN published the full list of applications submitted during the 2026 round of its New gTLD Program ICANN's program for applying to create and run new generic TLDs. Full definition of New gTLD Program on October 7, revealing 1,615 applications from 481 applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant filed between April 30 and August 12. Simone Catania, writing on CircleID, compares this round with the first one in 2012 to show how the internet has changed over fourteen years.
In 2012 the most contested string was .app, drawing 13 applications. In 2026 that title goes to .agent, also with 13 applicants, including Google, OpenAI, Meta, an entity listing Alibaba Cloud as its website, portfolio A collection of domains held by one owner. Full definition of portfolio registry The central database and system of a top-level domain, or loosely the organization that runs it. Full definition of registry Radix A registry operator that runs new gTLDs such as .online, .store, .tech and .site. Full definition of Radix, XYZ and Intercap, an Identity Digital A company, formerly Donuts, that runs many gTLDs and provides registry services. Full definition of Identity Digital subsidiary, and a community applicant called Open Agent Registry. None of the five most contested 2026 strings, .agent, .bit, .api, .brand A top-level domain that a company runs for its own trademark. Full definition of .brand and .hub, were applied for in 2012.
Catania’s comparison shows wider shifts in the internet itself. Around 2.3 billion people were online in 2012, versus around 6 billion, or 74 percent of the world, in 2026. Registered domain name A readable internet name made of labels separated by dots. Full definition of domain name have grown from about 240 million to 401.6 million, with 52.9 million of those now in new gTLD A generic top-level domain added to the internet through ICANN's New gTLD Program. Full definition of new gTLD that did not exist in 2012. The 2026 round drew fewer applications overall, 1,615 versus 1,930, but a higher share landed in contention: 55 percent, up from 39 percent.
A new feature of the 2026 round is the replacement string A backup string an applicant can switch to shortly after Reveal Day. Full definition of replacement string, letting applicants name a fallback choice if their first pick ends up contested. Of the 1,615 applications, 1,169 include one. Counting primary and replacement strings together brings the round’s unique strings to 1,430, close to the 1,409 unique strings seen in 2012, despite fewer total applications. The application fee also rose, from 185,000 dollars in 2012 to 227,000 dollars in 2026.
Geographically, North America and Europe still dominate applications, though Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa show smaller shares than in 2012. Brand applications now form a formal category with 333 entries, while the Applicant Support Program ICANN help, such as reduced fees, for qualified new gTLD applicants. Full definition of Applicant Support Program drew 51 applications compared with just three in 2012.