ICANN's new gTLD applications reveal .agent and .lab tied for most contested
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 runs the internet's address system and lets companies apply for new website endings like .shop or .app. It just released a list of 1,616 applications for new endings this round. The word .agent got the most interest, tied with .lab, showing companies are excited about artificial intelligence and research branding.
ICANN released its complete list of 1,616 new top-level domain applications received this year, prompting Domain Name Wire to analyze which strings drew the most competing bids. Since ICANN has not officially confirmed contention sets, the analysis combines singular and plural versions of the same word, such as .lab and .labs, to estimate rivalries.
The top spot is shared by .agent and the combined .lab/.labs set, each drawing 13 applications. Google, Meta and OpenAI are among the applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant for .agent, reflecting heavy corporate interest in artificial intelligence branding. For .lab/.labs, seven applicants sought the singular and six the plural.
Only five companies applied for .crypto, far fewer than many industry observers expected, despite it being widely predicted as a top contender.
.bit drew 11 applications, a result that is less surprising given earlier reports that companies had disclosed interest in advance; two applicants specifically sought .bitcoin. .api and .brand A top-level domain that a company runs for its own trademark. Full definition of .brand each received 10 applications, followed by .hub also at 10. .pop, .robot, and the combined .good/.goods set each attracted 9 applications, with .good/.goods coming from eight unique applicants since one company applied for both forms.
Further down the list, .max, .official and .pod each drew 8 applications, as did .zen. Domain Name Wire noted .pod will compete for registrant The person or organization that holds a domain name registration. Full definition of registrant with .podcast, which received three applications. A cluster of strings tied at 7 applications apiece: .agi, .ask, .connect, .firm, .key, .mind, .therapy and .vibe, the last of which could appeal to both software developers referencing “vibe coding” and general branding use.