Amazon is expanding its digital footprint with the launch of two new top-level domains (TLDs): .deal and .now. After a significant delay, the tech giant is finally rolling out these domains, nearly eight years after they were initially delegated by ICANN.
What’s Happening?
Starting on 22 August, trademark holders can register their .deal and .now domains during the Sunrise phase, which runs until September 21. This phase gives priority to those with registered trademarks to secure their domains before they become available to the general public.
Following the Sunrise phase, the domains will enter an Early Access period from September 23-28. During this Dutch auction-style phase, anyone can register a .deal or .now domain by paying a premium on top of the regular registration fees. For example, domain registrar 101Domain is charging $6,299 on the first day of Early Access, with the fee decreasing to $199 by the fifth day.
General Availability
The general availability of these domains begins on September 30, with regular registration rates starting at $49.99 via 101Domain. This launch presents an exciting opportunity for businesses and individuals looking to secure a unique and memorable online presence.
Competition on the Horizon
While .deal is expected to attract significant interest, it will face competition from the already established .deals TLD, managed by Identity Digital. Launched in 2014, .deals currently has around 8,500 registrations, setting the stage for a potential rivalry in the domain market.
Amazon’s entry into the TLD space with .deal and .now marks another step in its strategy to broaden its digital offerings. Whether these new domains will gain traction and outpace existing options remains to be seen, but the possibilities for branding and online visibility are certainly promising.
