200-1,000 new top level domains could be added in first year.
ICANN has released two documents related to the number of new top level domain names that may be added to the web per year.
The first document is technical in nature, covering how many gTLDs can be added to the root in any year. I previously wrote that it was determined 1,000 new TLDs could be added to the root in a year without problems. But after reading this report it’s clear that 1,000 was used as a maximum number based on the process bottleneck for approving new TLDs. Could the root scale higher? Possibly, but the report doesn’t really consider it.
The second document discusses how many new TLDs could be added in a year based on the application and delegation process. It is much more limiting. It suggests 200-300 may be added per year. But it also shows a scenario where close to 1,000 could be added.
Based on the current status of new top level domain discussions in the ICANN community, it’s possible we’ll see the first new TLDs added in 2012.
todaro says
WoW… this should enable the icaan board to raise their salaries big time
M. Menius says
Seriously, I cannot imagine 20 new tld’s on the market … much less a 1000. Who would be the buyers of all these tld’s? LOL
gpmgroup says
Seriously, I cannot imagine 20 new tld’s on the market … much less a 1000
Big problems will occur if the major brands start promoting new gTLDs and customers begin to think that brands to the right of the dot are superior.
This will mean 100s of medium size companies will be forced to follow suit @ $185K + $25k pa thats a serious outlay just to offset an implicit DNS branding advantage.
For small businesses and startups this cost would be prohibitive. ICANN should be in the business of providing level playing fields for all to compete equitable – not trying to create a new super league for already economically advantaged incumbents.
Chris Nielsen says
I didn’t register any .co domains. depending on what the new TLDs are I may try some, but only if they are priced resonably. There are still too many .coms to register to take a chance on new garbage (TLDs not ccTLDs) that is being offered. I think with a few exceptions the more that are issued, the more valuable .coms will become. Just like the first born child in a family, .com may forever be seen as “the favorite son” among TLDs.