{"id":49797,"date":"2025-06-25T09:47:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T09:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebrand.com\/?p=49797"},"modified":"2025-06-27T07:57:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T07:57:53","slug":"gtld-applications-unpacking-icanns-draft-applicant-guidebook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebrand.com\/nl\/blog\/gtld-applications-unpacking-icanns-draft-applicant-guidebook\/","title":{"rendered":"gTLD Applications: Unpacking ICANN\u2019s Draft Applicant Guidebook"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As ICANN prepares to launch the long-awaited next round of new gTLD applications, the release of its Draft Applicant Guidebook (AGB) marks a pivotal milestone for brands, communities, and other prospective registry operators. The 2025 AGB outlines the process, fees, and policy updates shaping the next era of domain name expansion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Based on the June 3<\/a> webinar hosted by ICANN, here\u2019s what you need to know to confidently navigate the updated AGB. As you dive into the latest, below, you can also find out more about domain management and new gTLD strategies for your organization here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Refined Journey<\/strong> for gTLD Applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The application process follows a clear path, starting with submission and prioritization, then moving through evaluation, resolving any conflicts, and ending with delegation. Along the way, there are important checkpoints, like checking for blocked names, geographic terms, name collisions, and similar strings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICANN will also assess applicants based on their financial and operational readiness, as well as the qualifications of their chosen registry service provider. Brand TLD applicants or those seeking a Code of Conduct exemption must meet extra requirements. Some evaluations, especially those related to geographic names or name collisions, can lead to longer reviews or challenges. That\u2019s why planning ahead and paying close attention to the details is so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Differences from the 2012 Round<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 AGB brings several important changes compared to the 2012 round. As an update from the previous briefing back in August<\/a>, one of the biggest shifts covers private contention resolutions. The latest guidelines effectively ban private auctions and deals between applicants. Instead, ICANN will handle all conflicts through their official processing system. To help avoid early disputes, applicants can now submit a \u201cReplacement String\u201d within 14 days of Reveal Day. ICANN also introduced a new Predictability Framework to manage unexpected issues, with changes now classified as minor, non-minor, or policy-related. ICANN has added more detailed evaluation steps, stricter rules for geographic names, and a more transparent fee and refund system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guidelines also outline strict, legally binding enforcement procedures for new and existing commitments. These include Public Interest Commitments (PICs), Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs), and Community Registration Policies. Altogether, these updates aim to make the application process fairer, clearer, and more consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

gTLD Applications Fees and Refunds: What<\/strong> Have ICANN Changed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new applicant guidebook sets the base gTLD evaluation fee at $227,000<\/strong>. Applicants must pay within seven days of the application window closing. Withdrawals trigger a tiered refund schedule, starting at $147,550 and decreasing as evaluations progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditional evaluations incur additional fees, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n