You could own AI.slop, if applicant for new global top-level domains get their way

ICANN, the organization responsible for managing internet domain names, is currently reviewing over 1,600 applications for new global top-level domains (gTLDs), with a "Reveal Day" scheduled for September or October to announce which applications have passed initial checks. Among the applicants is the Link Freedom Group, which has submitted 316 gTLD applications, including unconventional names like .slop, .therapy, and .hype. The group also seeks AI-related domains such as .agentic and .AGI, as well as strings tied to cryptocurrencies, data centers, and locations in China.

The application process for new gTLDs, which began in 2024, allows organizations to propose and operate their own domain extensions. ICANN previously ran a similar program in 2012, resulting in over 1,200 new gTLDs, including corporate-owned extensions like .microsoft and .cisco. Some novelty domains, such as .sucks, were also approved during that round. The current process involves a $227,000 evaluation fee per application, with additional costs if extra reviews are needed due to potential risks.

While ICANN has not yet released the full list of valid applications, some applicants have already disclosed their proposed gTLDs. The Link Freedom Group’s list, which includes domains like .con, .token, and .moon, has been shared on an unofficial ICANN community Wiki. The list also features hundreds of other proposed extensions, many of which are related to technology, finance, and specific geographic regions.

Once applications pass the initial review, ICANN will conduct further evaluations and open a 104-day objection period. This means that even if a gTLD is approved, it could take months or even years before it becomes available for public registration. Industry experts suggest that domains under these new gTLDs may not be accessible to registrants until late 2027 or later.

The expansion of gTLDs reflects the growing demand for customized domain names, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. However, the lengthy approval process and high costs mean that only a fraction of the proposed domains are likely to become operational in the near future.

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