The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) is preparing the largest expansion of internet domain suffixes in over a decade, potentially introducing more than 1,600 new top-level domains (TLDs) this year. The diverse list includes options such as .trump, .meow, .zzz, and novelty addresses like .fart, reflecting a broad range of interests and branding ambitions.

Icann, a nonprofit organization based in the United States, manages these domain allocations, which are distinct from country-code domains like .uk, managed separately. The last significant expansion of TLDs occurred in 2012, when domains such as .app, .web, .pizza, and .babysitting were introduced. This latest round includes applications from major technology companies, especially those focusing on artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI, for example, has applied for 15 domains including .openai, .chatgpt, and .codex, and is competing for others like .agent and .agi, the latter representing artificial general intelligence. Meta has also sought 21 domains such as .aiglasses, .wearables, and .muse, referring to its AI assistant.

In addition to corporate applicants, a Belgian nonprofit has submitted a bid for .meow, intended to serve the LGBT community but also expected to appeal widely to cat enthusiasts. Other applications involve playful or unconventional labels like .fart, .slop, and .itiswhatitis, linked to a group supported by domain investor Yoni Belousov with $36 million in funding.

Securing a new domain is an expensive process, with application fees set at $227,000. When multiple parties compete for the same domain suffix, auctions can escalate the cost significantly. Past sales illustrate the stakes, with Nu Dot Co paying $135 million for .web and Google spending $25 million on .app. The financial incentives are clear; for instance, the .com domain generates around $1.5 billion annually for Verisign, a global technology firm.

However, Icann faces criticism regarding its oversight and security practices. John Carr, an internet safety expert, described the organization's approach as serving commercial interests at the expense of public safety. He contends that Icann is reluctant to enforce stringent checks on the real-world identities of domain registrants, as such measures could slow registrations and reduce its revenue. This stance has raised concerns about vulnerabilities associated with new domains.

Supporting this perspective, a 2023 report by the DNS Research Federation found that domains under Icann’s control were disproportionately linked to malicious online activity. The study showed that, although domains created in 2012 through Icann accounted for approximately 8 percent of registrations globally, they were responsible for 27 percent of reported abuses. In contrast, European country-code domains, which represent 14 percent of registrations, accounted for only 3 percent of such activity. This disparity was attributed largely to the more stringent identity verification processes employed by European registries.

Icann is scheduled to announce its final list of approved new domain suffixes on November 17. The organization has not responded to requests for comment on these developments or the criticism relating to domain security.