The .agent and .agi domains are set to become the next big trend.

For the first time in years, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, is opening the door for new top-level domains (TLDs). These are the suffixes you see at the end of URLs, like .com, .org, and even .pizza.

ICANN has revealed that it has received 1,615 applications from 481 different applicants. Not surprisingly, AI is a hot topic. Ten companies, including major players, have applied for the .agent domain. Seven, including one of the leading AI firms, are vying for .agi, while six are in the running for .asi, likely in response to the push for a shift from “artificial intelligence” to “super intelligence.” Four companies are after .intelligence, and one of the giants is among the two contenders for the lengthy .superintelligence. One company has submitted a total of 15 TLD applications, while another is aiming for an impressive 21.

The applications can be categorized into two main types. The first type includes more generic domains that could be used by a wide range of individuals or businesses. This batch features hundreds of options, from .geek to .haha to .anime and even .jackpot. My personal favorite from this list is .itiswhatitis.

The second type consists of branded domains, allowing companies to create their own TLDs for specific uses. There are 345 brand applications in this round, covering a diverse range from .applebees and .bankofamerica to .zillow and .zoom. One major player has applied for .facebook, .instagram, .messenger, .meta, .frommeta, and .threads, which could serve multiple purposes. Another platform has its sights set on .bsky, likely to integrate it into its usernames. A leading AI firm is going for .chatgpt, .codex, .openai, .gpt, and more, while another company is interested in .anthropic and .claude. These domains could lead to memorable product pages, social media handles, and beyond.

The journey for these alternative TLDs has been challenging in recent years. While some, like .ai and .app, have gained traction due to tech trends, many users still struggle with the idea of typing in domains like .restaurant or .babysitting. As a result, .com and a few others have become more significant than ever. It’s fascinating to see so many brands pursuing their own domains, a feat previously achieved by only a handful of companies.

This is just the beginning of the process for establishing new top-level domains, and nothing will be finalized until next year. However, it’s clear that as AI continues to permeate our lives, the importance of great domain names remains strong. Even the AI companies recognize this.