New gTLDs: the new domain endings
New generic top-level domains explained: the 2012 round that added hundreds of endings, the 2026 application round, the kinds of new gTLDs and whether they're worth using.
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New gTLDs are the hundreds of generic endings added through ICANN's New gTLD Program, such as .app, .shop, .xyz, .online, .store and .studio. They gave people far more choice than the old handful of endings.
The 2012 round
- In 2012, ICANN accepted applications for brand-new endings and received nearly 2,000 of them.
- The first new gTLDs went live in October 2013. Fittingly, they were endings in non-Latin scripts. See IDN domains.
- Hundreds followed over the next few years, from everyday words to cities to company names.
The 2026 round
ICANN opened the next application round on April 30, 2026 and closed it on August 12, 2026. More than 1,600 applications were filed, with a base fee of $227,000 each. Successful new endings are expected to take a year or more to go live, and longer where there are objections or competing applicants.
Kinds of new gTLDs
- Generic words: .shop, .app, .blog, .online
- Industry endings: .law, .dental, .realty
- Cities and regions: .nyc, .london. See GeoTLDs.
- Brands: .google, .bmw. See .brand TLDs.
Are new gTLDs worth it?
Pros: great names are still available, the ending can complete your name (like bloom.shop), and Google treats them like any other generic ending.
Cons: many people still type .com by habit, some renew at high prices, and resale demand is usually much lower than for .com. Some endings have also had problems with spam reputations.
Check the renewal price. Some new gTLDs are cheap the first year and expensive after, and "premium" names can renew at premium prices every year.
Questions
When can I register the new 2026 endings?
Not yet. Applications closed in August 2026, and successful endings are expected to take a year or more to launch.
Do new gTLDs hurt SEO?
No. Google treats them like any other generic ending.