new gTLDs applied

ICANN developed the New generic Top-Level Domain Program to increase competition and choice by introducing new gTLDs into the Internet’s addressing system. What is a gTLD? It is an Internet domain name extension such as the familiar .com, .net, or .org. There are 280 ccTLDs but only 22 “generics” in the domain name system right now, but that is all about to change.

The new gTLD application window opened on 12 January 2012 and closed on 30 May 2012. The following list displays all of the gTLD strings that were applied for during this round.

Going through the list of applications is quite interesting.

Of course you will see the more or less expected applications, like Ford applying for .ford, Microsoft for .microsoft etc.

But companies google and amazon applied for many more (101 and 77 respectively) . Some of the applications might be hints about their future plans or fears.