New gTLD Intelligence Services (NGIS)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026 New gTLD application process?

The 2026 New gTLD application process is the next round through which organizations can apply to operate new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). The New gTLD Program is administered by ICANN and includes multiple stages, such as application submission, technical and operational evaluation, public comment, government review, and potential objections or disputes. Once approved and delegated, new gTLDs are subject to ongoing contractual compliance and post-delegation monitoring.

What types of decisions are made during the New gTLD lifecycle?

Across the New gTLD lifecycle, stakeholders make a range of decisions that can materially affect application outcomes. These include selecting and defending applied-for strings, assessing technical and DNS stability risks, evaluating potential string confusion, and reviewing public-interest or abuse-related concerns, as further described in the Applicant Guidebook (AGB).

During later stages, decisions may also involve objections, safeguards, contractual commitments, and post-delegation oversight, often requiring objective evidence and historical context to support positions.

Why does data play an important role in New gTLD decisions?

The New gTLD program relies on evidence-based evaluation across application review, public comments, government input, and objection processes. Stakeholders are often expected to substantiate positions related to DNS stability, string similarity, abuse risk, and public interest using objective, verifiable information.

Historical DNS behavior, WHOIS records, and abuse patterns provide context that helps distinguish isolated concerns from systemic risk, supporting more consistent and defensible decision-making throughout the lifecycle.

How can I get started with NGIS?

NGIS engagement typically begins with a briefing to understand your role, timeline, and decision points. From there, services are scoped to provide phase-appropriate intelligence aligned with the New gTLD program. Request a briefing to get started.

How should NGIS reports and data be used in the New gTLD application process?

New gTLD Intelligence Services (NGIS) provides neutral, data-driven insights based on WhoisXMLAPI’s comprehensive DNS, WHOIS, subdomain, IP, and abuse data. NGIS is designed to help you better understand the characteristics, historical behavior, and risk indicators associated with applied-for strings and comparable domains; support internal strategy and preparation; and inform decision-making during the 2026 New gTLD application lifecycle, including pre-application planning, public comment readiness, and evaluation of potential objections.

NGIS and the WhoisXMLAPI data / tools are not legal, regulatory, or policy advice. It does not predict the outcome of an ICANN evaluation, objection, GAC advice, or public comment process, and it does not determine eligibility, approval, or endorsement by ICANN or any third party. Data contained in NGIS reports are observational and informational only, and users are responsible for interpreting and applying the information in their own applications and submissions.

Because ICANN’s processes involve multiple criteria and evolving community interpretations, NGIS / WhoisXML API data outputs should be used as one source of evidence among others, not as the sole basis for application decisions. NGIS / WhoisXML API makes no guarantees about application outcomes, mitigation of objections, or avoidance of external challenges. Always consult appropriate legal, policy, and industry advisors when making decisions that involve compliance, rights protection, and public interest considerations within the New gTLD Program.

How does NGIS handle privacy, identity, and confidentiality?

All WhoisXMLAPI services, including NGIS, are designed with confidentiality and responsible data handling as core principles. WhoisXML API takes reasonable and commercially appropriate measures to protect the privacy, identity, and confidentiality of NGIS users and engagements.

NGIS analyses are conducted using lawfully obtained, Internet-wide datasets (including DNS, WHOIS, IP, and related metadata) and are produced solely for the benefit of the requesting party. We do not disclose the identity of NGIS clients, the existence of specific engagements, or the contents of customized reports to third parties, except where required by law or with the explicit consent of the client.

NGIS does not share client-specific analyses with ICANN, governments, applicants, advisors, or other stakeholders by default. Any public research or aggregated reporting published by WhoisXML API is de-identified, non-attributable, and non-client-specific, and is designed to prevent the identification of individual applicants, strings under analysis, or private strategies.

While NGIS applies industry-standard safeguards to protect confidentiality, users remain responsible for how NGIS outputs are used, shared, or incorporated into applications, public comments, or legal submissions.