ICANN TLD Application Window: Opens April 2026
Secure Your Future.
Don't Lose Your DotBrand Option.
- The Two-Decision Framework: Separate application from deployment strategy.
- Immediate Security Dividend: Leveraging TLD ownership for gold-standard web security.
- Investment vs. Opportunity Cost: Comparing ICANN fees to long-term defensive savings.
Download the 2026 Application Strategy Guide
Targeted Benefits for Every Department
Mitigate Phishing Risk
The private namespace actively reduces domain fraud and lessens reliance on third-party takedowns.
Premium Positioning
Use short, branded URLs to signal digital sophistication and leadership to customers and competitors.
Enhanced Security
Mandate security features like HSTS-Preload at the root level, ensuring gold-standard web security.
Strategic Insurance & Long-Term Value
Security & Trust
Helps eliminate phishing. It's an unmistakable authenticity signal for all users.
Innovation Agility
Launch new digital initiatives instantly (e.g., `ai.brand`). No domain availability issues.
Future-Proofing
You are buying a decade-long asset option. Non-application means being locked out indefinitely.
Namespace Control
Helps control costly defensive registrations. Gain full ownership over your brand namespace.
Expertise Built for the Next Era
The GoDaddy Corporate Domains (GCD) team has been intimately involved in ICANN, the domain space, and new gTLDs since their origins. With decades of experience and support from hundreds of brands that applied in the 2012 round, we’re eager to share why we are the partner of so many companies investing in this coming change.
Want to talk dotBrands or domain portfolios?