What Are Niche TLDs?
Niche TLDs focus on specific industries, professional groups, or hobbyist communities. These create specialized vertical market spaces—like .photography for photographers, .coffee for coffee shops, or .fitness for health professionals—building targeted communities around shared interests and professions. Niche TLDs provide industry associations, professional groups, and community organizations the opportunity to own and operate their own digital namespace, establishing authority within their vertical market while generating revenue through domain registrations and premium positioning.
Vertical Market Focus
Specialized industry focus with dedicated user communities. Create a digital home specifically for your industry or professional community.
Professional Identity
Establish your industry credentials and professional standing. Your TLD becomes a badge of authenticity and expertise within your field.
Community Building
Build engaged, passionate communities around specific interests or industries. Foster networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among members.
Targeted Marketing
Reach your ideal audience with precision. Your TLD instantly communicates industry relevance to potential registrants and customers.
Industry Authority
Position your organization as the industry standard-bearer. Control the namespace and set the tone for professional excellence.
Premium Positioning
Command premium pricing for desirable domain names. Industry-specific keywords become valuable digital real estate.
Professional Recognition
Enhance professional credibility and visibility. Members gain instant recognition through their association with your industry TLD.
Member Engagement
Create engagement opportunities through events, directories, and member services. Your TLD becomes a hub for industry activity.
Niche TLDs in Action
See how industry-specific TLDs create focused communities and serve professional markets.
For photographers and visual artists worldwide - Used by professional photographers, studios, and visual artists to showcase portfolios and services with an industry-specific address.
For coffee shops, roasters, and enthusiasts - The digital home for coffee culture, serving cafes, roasters, baristas, and coffee lovers seeking authentic industry connections.
For gyms, trainers, and fitness professionals - Adopted by personal trainers, fitness studios, gyms, and wellness professionals to establish credibility in the health industry.
For designers and creative professionals - Empowers graphic designers, web designers, and creative professionals with memorable domain names that showcase their creative expertise.
For marketing and creative agencies - Marketing agencies, digital agencies, and creative firms use .agency to signal their professional services to potential clients.
For art studios and creative workspaces - Art studios, recording studios, design studios, and creative workspaces establish their physical and digital presence with .studio domains.
For bloggers and content creators - Content creators, writers, and publishers build their personal brands and audiences with .blog domains that clearly communicate their focus.
For gamers and gaming communities - Gaming communities, streamers, esports teams, and game developers create their digital homes with .gaming domain names.
The 2026 Application Window
ICANN opens applications for new Niche TLDs from April 30 to August 12, 2026. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to secure your industry's digital namespace and establish your organization as the authority within your vertical market.
Investment
$389,000
Application/Delegation Costs. Includes $227,500 ICANN application fee; paid as per payment schedule.
$95,800/year
Ongoing Annual Costs. Includes $25,800 ICANN registry fee.
Timeline
18-36 months
From application submission to TLD delegation, including evaluation, technical and financial reviews, potential contention resolution, and final contract execution.
Target Market
Vertical Industries
Focus on specific industries or professional communities. Create a specialized namespace that serves your vertical market with targeted relevance and professional appeal.
Revenue
Unlimited Potential
Ongoing revenue from domain registrations, renewals, premium domain sales, and value-added services. Your TLD operates as a sustainable business with scalable income potential.
Model Your Niche TLD
Use our Niche TLD Calculator to analyze revenue projections, break-even analysis, and growth modeling for your specialized domain extension. Model registration scenarios, premium domain pricing, and industry adoption rates.
Launch Niche TLD CalculatorReady for Your Niche TLD?
The 2026 application window is your opportunity to secure your industry's digital namespace and establish your organization as the authority within your vertical market. Claim your TLD before competitors or other organizations stake their claim.