Top 20 Most Popular New gTLDs

## How Popularity Is Measured New gTLD adoption is typically measured in two ways: raw registration count (the total number of second-level domains registered under a given extension) and zone file size (the number of domains actively in DNS). Both metrics are imperfect — large registration counts can include parked domains or defensive registrations — but they remain the most accessible proxies for real-world adoption. The following ranking draws on Verisign's quarterly Domain Name Industry Briefs, ICANN registry data, and registrar-reported figures as of early 2026. Use TLD Comparison Tool to get current pricing across these extensions. ## The Top Tier: 5 Million+ Registrations **1. .online** — Consistently one of the most registered new extensions, .online attracted both genuine website operators and defensive registrants. Its generic meaning applies to virtually any business. Operated by Radix Registry. **2. .shop** — E-commerce businesses gravitate toward .shop for its immediate descriptive clarity. "Brand.shop" communicates intent without explanation. Operated by GMO Registry. **3. .app** — Google's acquisition of .app at auction (for $25 million) gave the extension instant credibility. ICANN mandated HTTPS for all .app domains via browser HSTS preload, making it the first TLD with mandatory SSL. Operated by Google Registry. **4. .site** — A broad, permissive extension that competes with .online. Strong adoption among website builders and landing page operators. Operated by Radix Registry. **5. .store** — Like .shop but slightly different brand feel. Particularly popular in markets where "store" reads as more formal than "shop." Operated by Radix Registry. ## Strong Performers: 2–5 Million Registrations **6. .cloud** — Attracted technology companies, SaaS products, and cloud service providers. The brand association with scalability and infrastructure resonates with its target audience. **7. .blog** — Content creators, journalists, and media operations use .blog for its direct statement of purpose. Operated by Automattic (the company behind WordPress). **8. .dev** — Google's other highly successful TLD acquisition. Like .app, .dev requires HTTPS via HSTS preload. Embraced by software developers, open-source projects, and developer tools companies. **9. .website** — A longer synonym for .site that some operators prefer for its formality. Operated by Radix Registry. **10. .club** — Membership organizations, fan communities, subscription products, and hobby groups adopted .club early. "Brand.club" creates an immediate sense of belonging. ## Mid-Tier: 500K–2 Million Registrations **11. .tech** — Startups and technology companies use .tech as a positioning statement. Slightly premium pricing kept registration volumes moderate while maintaining brand value. **12. .space** — Initially popular among space enthusiasts, the extension broadened to represent creative and conceptual "spaces." Operated by Radix Registry. **13. .media** — News organizations, production companies, and content studios. "Brand.media" positions an organization clearly within the communications industry. **14. .digital** — Marketing agencies, transformation consultancies, and digital-native brands. The extension functions as a broad technology and media signal. **15. .live** — Live streaming services, events, sports, and broadcasting. The extension gained momentum with the growth of live video content. ## Specialty Leaders **16. .io** — Technically a ccTLD for the British Indian Ocean Territory, .io functions as a de facto new gTLD for the technology startup community globally. Its hacker-culture association and two-letter brevity make it one of the most valuable non-.com extensions. Note: the future of .io is uncertain following geopolitical changes to BIOT. **17. .co** — Colombia's ccTLD, similarly adopted as a global "company" signifier. Used by startups that missed their .com. **18. .ai** — Anguilla's ccTLD, now overwhelmingly used by artificial intelligence companies. Extremely high premium pricing due to AI industry demand. **19. .nyc** — The most successful US city GeoTLD, operated by the City of New York. Requires registrant connection to New York City. Strong adoption among local businesses, organizations, and cultural institutions. **20. .bank** — A restricted TLD operated by fTLD Registry Systems, requiring applicants to be regulated financial institutions. Its strict verification process makes .bank domains carry implicit trust signals for consumers. ## What the Rankings Tell You The most successful new gTLDs share common traits. They are short, generic, broadly applicable, and priced accessibly. Extensions that target a specific niche without commanding a price premium for that niche tend to struggle. Extensions that achieved early critical mass benefited from network effects — more users meant more legitimacy, which attracted more users. For domain buyers, the practical implication is clear: a top-20 new gTLD carries meaningfully more recognition than a niche extension. Use TLD Finder to check availability across all of these extensions, and see New gTLD Pricing Guide for detailed cost analysis.