Community TLD

Community gTLD is one of the different categories of generic top level domain names (gTLDs) created by the ICANN, which is intended for cohesive, community groups that are interested in operating their own TLD Registry. Community gTLDs must represent and receive strong, written support from a clearly defined group of people such as cultural, religious, social groups and industry sectors. Its existence must be unquestionable. A good example of community group that represents a clearly defined group of people that maybe qualified to apply for a community gTLD is the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), as this group is well-established and it can demonstrate that it has a continuous relationship with its members.

Requirements for Community gTLD Applicants

Based on the gTLD Applicant Guidebook, applicants for community based gTLDs should:

• Criterion #1: Community Establishment (4 points)
  • A. Delineation: Demonstrate an ongoing relationship with a clearly delineated community (up to 2 points)
    • 2 points if there is a clearly delineated, organized, and pre-existing community
    • 1 points if there is a clearly delineated and pre-existing community, but not fulfilling the requirements for a score of 2.
  • B. Extension (up to 2 points)
    • 2 points if community of considerable size and longevity (2 points)
    • 1 point if Community of either considerable size or longevity, but not fulfilling the requirements for a score of 2

• Criteria #2: Nexus between proposed string and community. Does the applied for a gTLD string strongly and specifically relate to the community named in the application? (4 points)
  • Nexus (up to 3 points)
    • 3 points if the String matches the name of the community or is a well-known short form or abbreviation of the community
    • 2 points if the string identifies the community, but does not qualify for a score of 3
  • Uniqueness (1 point)
    • 1 point if the string has no other significant meaning beyond identifying the community described in the application

under construction

• Criteria #3: Are the proposed dedicated registration and use policies for registrants in its proposed gTLD, including appropriate security verification procedures, commensurate with the community-based purpose it has named?

• Criteria #4: Have its application endorsed in writing by one or more established institutions representing the community it has named.

Potential Benefits of Operating a Community gTLD

Domain industry experts identify some of the benefits of a community gTLDs, which include:

• It will help strengthen the cultural and social identity of the group and provides an avenue for growth and increased support among its members.
• It enables the community to control their domain name space by creating their own rules and policies for registration to be able to protect and implement their community's standards and values
• It will boost the trust and confidence of its members
• The community will be recognized globally
• Members will be able to register a relevant, shorter and easy to remember domain name
• It will generate income from registration and annual renewal fees of domain names

Top-Level Domain