Domain name people must see:9 big things you have to know!

As domain enthusiasts, staying updated with various events in the domain industry is crucial. Understanding the landscape helps us navigate effectively. In this article, we've summarized the nine significant global domain industry events from the past year, aiming to offer fresh insights.

1. Current Status of Top 2000 Global Company Website Domains

An examination based on the GCD (Global Collaboration and Development) Index of the websites of the top 2000 global companies revealed that only 17% of these websites have implemented Registry Locking, and a mere 3.5% have adopted DNSSEC.

2. Domain Registration Reaches 364 Million

According to Domain Industry Brief by Verisign, "In Q3 2021, the domain name base of all top-level domains (TLDs) reached 364 million registrations, representing a decrease of 2.7 million domain name registrations, or 0.7%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Domain name registrations decreased by 6.1 million, or 1.6%, year over year. New .com and .net domain name registrations totaled 8.2 million, compared to 10.5 million domain name registrations."

3. Next Round of New Generic Top-Level Domains Postponed

In February 2021, ICANN's GNSO Council approved the Final Report of the Next Round Subsequent Procedures PDP Work Team. In September 2021, after three months of preparation, ICANN's Board initiated a 10-month Design Phase, starting in December 2021. ICANN's Board is expected to approve the next round, possibly in 2023.

4. ICANN's Warning Regarding Blockchain Domains

ICANN issued a warning to consumers regarding blockchain domains as an alternative to traditional internet domains. These domains pose challenges such as limited accessibility, traceability issues, and lack of regulatory oversight. Concerns have been raised about their integration into cybercrime operations.

5. Minimal Impact of the Pandemic on the Domain Industry

The GCD's 5th Annual Enterprise Domain Management Survey showed that around 75% of respondents felt the pandemic had no effect on domain management, and 80% found working from home convenient. The domain industry faced fewer challenges due to factors like remote work and accelerated online adoption.

6. Verisign Announces Price Increase

Verisign announced a price increase for .com domains. The registration price would rise from $8.39 to $8.97, with the ability for registrars to add their markup. This marked the second increase within the current contract, suggesting further hikes in the coming years.

7. Launch of New Generic Top-Level Domains

New gTLDs such as .day, .zuerich, and .trust were launched last year, with more anticipated in the future.

8. Transition of Top-Level Domain Operations

The operations of 19 TLDs formerly managed by MMX were transferred to GoDaddy Registry. The .TV domain transitioned from Verisign to GoDaddy Registry in December. Additionally, 23 TLDs of registrar Uniregistry were auctioned.

9. ICANN's ePDP Project Costing $107 Million

ICANN's efforts to combat domain abuse included allocating resources to address COVID-19 related DNS abuse as a priority. ICANN estimated a four-year timeline and an annual cost of $107 million for the project. ICANN also sought guidance from the European Data Protection Board regarding GDPR compliance.

These events from 2021 will continue to impact the domain industry's trends in 2022. Blockchain-related domains and premium brand domain upgrades remain popular trends. The industry thrives with innovation and adaptation, showing a promising landscape.

Now, what are your thoughts on the domain industry's prospects in 2022?