The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is calling on stakeholders to review and comment on its proposed North America Regional Plan for the fiscal years 2026 to 2030. This draft outlines the organization’s priorities and strategies for supporting the unique needs and goals of the North American community within ICANN's global mission. The plan is now open for public input, and the comment period will remain active until 23:59 UTC on 28 August 2025.

If your project involves sustainability, natural products, health, science, or anything rooted in biology or the environment — the .bio domain offers a direct, credible way to reflect that focus online. Whether you're building a product, platform, service, or community, this extension instantly tells your audience what you're about. It’s short, meaningful, and ideal for anyone who wants their domain to reinforce relevance and clarity.

On 8 July 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced the official release of its Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) Framework. This framework was developed by the Continuous Improvement Program Community Coordination Group (CIP‑CCG) and aims to support long-term, community-driven enhancements to ICANN's internal structures and operational practices.

In the highly competitive automotive industry, first impressions often begin online. The right domain name doesn't just define your brand—it elevates it. Extensions like .dealer, .car, .cars, and .auto are more than web addresses; they’re digital statements of authority, trust, and professionalism. These domains instantly signal that your business belongs in the high-end segment of the market, where image and reputation matter as much as service.

With over 300 industry-specific top-level domains (TLDs) available today, creatives have more tools than ever to shape their online identity. Search engines recognize many of these extensions as topical indicators, helping with SEO from the start. Through membership-based pricing, NicNames offers domains at cost, includes free WHOIS privacy, and removes hidden fees—allowing photographers, illustrators, and designers to focus on visibility without overspending.

On July 2, 2025, ICANN officially announced the roll-out of its strategic direction for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, which came into force on July 1, 2025. This comprehensive framework will serve as the guiding compass for ICANN’s initiatives and actions over the next half-decade. Board Chair Tripti Sinha emphasized that this plan is a collective effort—its effectiveness depends on engagement from the entire global community.

We’re excited to announce an exclusive offer for all NicNames customers:

Register a .LOCKER domain and get $5 in Bitcoin cashback—delivered 5 days after your purchase!

Today, your domain is no longer just a technical necessity—it’s the first handshake between your personal brand and your audience. For bloggers, content creators, and influencers, it’s not just about being online—it’s about being memorable. The right domain can instantly set the tone for your work, establish credibility, and improve discoverability. Whether you're launching a lifestyle blog, a YouTube portfolio, or a professional content site, choosing a domain extension that aligns with your voice and values can make all the difference.

Launching a website no longer requires dealing with complex CMS setups, plugin updates, or manual optimization. NicNames.com offers AI Website Builder hosting that eliminates technical barriers and automates everything from design to mobile adaptation. If you own a domain and want your site live in minutes—not hours—this hosting is built for you. Here's why it outperforms traditional solutions.

On 23 June 2025, ICANN officially revealed the names of the selected participants for its ICANN84 Fellowship Program. This group of 40 individuals, residing across 35 countries, will take part in the ICANN84 Annual General Meeting scheduled from 25 to 30 October 2025 in Muscat, Oman. The event is expected to bring together a diverse representation of voices and perspectives, reinforcing ICANN’s multistakeholder approach to Internet governance.

In what experts are calling the largest breach of its kind, 16 billion login credentials have been leaked online—fresh, structured, and ripe for abuse. While this threatens users across the internet, the implications for domain owners and website administrators are uniquely severe. When a password opens the door to an entire brand’s digital identity, the stakes go far beyond individual accounts.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has launched a new Public Comment proceeding for Version 6 of the Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR-6). This latest update builds on ICANN's ongoing commitment to enhancing the secure and consistent use of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the top-level.

In 2025, securing the right domain name is no longer just about branding—it's a strategic move that can influence funding, SEO, and social engagement. For startups, a premium domain isn’t just a luxury; it’s often the first real investment in credibility and global reach. With domain markets more competitive than ever and thousands of businesses launching daily, making the right choice is essential.

The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has issued its official communiqué following the ICANN83 Policy Forum, held in a hybrid format from Prague, Czech Republic. The full text of the communiqué is now available for public review.

In 2025, the digital landscape is more crowded than ever. Millions of new websites launch each year, and finding a short, memorable, and relevant domain name under traditional extensions like .com or .net has become nearly impossible. This is exactly why domain extensions like .site and .online are gaining momentum—and why businesses, creators, and startups should seriously consider them now. These extensions are not only flexible and globally recognized, but also widely available and cost-effective. With a huge pool of names still up for grabs, the opportunity is real and immediate.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will participate in the 19th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF), taking place in Lillestrøm, Norway, from 23 to 27 June 2025. This year’s event comes at a particularly significant time, just ahead of the WSIS+20 review scheduled for 2025. ICANN sees this forum as a crucial venue for reinforcing its long-standing commitment to an inclusive, multistakeholder approach to Internet governance.

Over 350 million domain names are registered worldwide, and the majority of short, memorable .com domains are already taken. At the same time, user behavior has shifted: people now expect domain names to describe the function of the site they’re about to visit. This shift is fueling the popularity of new, purpose-specific domain extensions like .compare, .forum, and .feedback.

On June 6, 2025, ICANN made a public appeal advocating for greater transparency and fairness in AFRINIC’s upcoming board elections. The organization directed its concerns to the Mauritius court-appointed receiver overseeing AFRINIC, emphasizing the need for clear communication regarding recent organizational changes and member registrations.

For over ten years, the .xyz domain extension has been more than just a digital address—it’s become a symbol of innovation, disruption, and global digital identity. Initially embraced by tech visionaries looking for a fresh, flexible domain name, .xyz has now evolved into a go-to choice for creators, entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking brands that demand relevance and distinction in a crowded online landscape. From startups to multinationals, artists to blockchain developers, .xyz is the digital space where creativity and innovation thrive. It’s not just a domain—it’s a movement. Here's why the .xyz extension continues to reshape the internet more than a decade after its debut.

On May 29, 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) unveiled the inaugural group of recipients for its Grant Program, marking a significant milestone in its mission to enhance the global Internet ecosystem. This initial cycle will allocate approximately $10 million to support projects that align with ICANN's commitment to fostering a secure, stable, and unified Internet.

SSL certificates are a foundational requirement for any website that handles data, enables logins, or represents a business. However, not all SSL certificates offer the same level of identity assurance. Actalis SSL certificates are available in three validation levels—Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). Each serves a specific purpose and is verified differently by the certificate authority. Choosing the right one directly impacts user trust, compliance, and the credibility of your online presence. Below, we explore each type, explain how they differ, and help you make the most informed choice for your business.

Outsourcing your website development can be a practical and cost-effective solution—especially for startups and small businesses. But too often, business owners unknowingly give away critical control or remain in the dark about what’s being built. To avoid common pitfalls, it’s essential to approach contractor relationships with clarity and foresight. Here's how to stay in control of your digital property and ensure your website is built the right way.

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and defines the digital future, a new trend is emerging in domain registration — the rapid rise of the .ai extension. Once reserved for Anguilla, a small island in the Caribbean, .ai has transformed into a digital badge for innovation, now synonymous with cutting-edge startups, AI platforms, and next-gen tools. In a web landscape dominated by .com for decades, .ai is making a compelling case for being the domain of the future.

Website speed isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical factor that impacts everything from user experience (UX) to search engine optimization (SEO). In a world where users expect instant access and smooth interaction, a few seconds of delay can mean lost traffic, conversions, and revenue. Fortunately, you don’t need a huge budget or complex tools to boost your website's performance. Here are some fast, effective ways to improve your site’s speed.

.XYZ Domains domain has rapidly grown in popularity among businesses of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises. As one of the most widely adopted new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), .xyz offers a flexible and modern naming option that stands apart from legacy extensions like .com or .net. Its availability, neutrality, and global recognition make it an attractive choice for companies seeking a distinctive and scalable online identity.