Verisign has officially secured the rights to operate the .web domain extension following a $135 million auction. On July 22, 2026, .web was added to the global Domain Name System (DNS), with Verisign named as its registry operator.
The company plans to offer .web domain names through registrar partners later in 2026, with registration dates, launch phases, and pricing yet to be announced.
What is the .web domain extension?
The .web domain is a new generic top-level domain (gTLD). A top-level domain is the extension at the end of a web address, such as .com, .net, or .org.
Unlike extensions tied to a specific country or industry, .web is designed for broad use. Businesses, organizations, and individuals could eventually use addresses such as yourbusiness.web or yourportfolio.web.
The extension is not yet available for general public registration. Verisign only confirmed that it expects to begin offering .web through participating domain registrars later in 2026.
Verisign becomes the .web registry operator
Verisign is now the official registry operator for .web, according to the IANA delegation record. It will maintain the extension’s central registry and technical infrastructure, similar to its existing role with .com and .net.
Customers will not register domains directly through Verisign. Participating domain registrars like Network Solutions will handle registrations, renewals, account management, and customer support.
How will .web domain registration work?
The .web launch will include at least two required registration phases under ICANN’s trademark-protection rules. These rules apply through the official ICANN–Verisign .web Registry Agreement.
Phase 1: Sunrise registration for trademark holders
Before .web opens for general registration, eligible trademark holders will have an earlier opportunity to register domains matching their marks.
To participate, trademark holders generally need to:
- Record an eligible trademark with the Trademark Clearinghouse.
- Obtain a valid Signed Mark Data (SMD) file.
- Apply for the matching .web domain through a participating registrar.
According to Section 2 of ICANN’s Trademark Clearinghouse requirements, Sunrise must last at least 30 days if domains can be awarded during the phase on a first-come, first-served basis.
Phase 2: General registration and Trademark Claims
After Sunrise, .web can open for general registration. Customers will then be able to apply for available names through participating domain registrars, subject to Verisign’s final launch rules.
A Trademark Claims period must run during at least the first 90 days of general registration. During this period:
- An applicant receives a warning if the requested domain matches a trademark recorded with the Trademark Clearinghouse.
- The applicant must acknowledge the notice before continuing.
- The eligible trademark holder is notified if the matching domain is registered.
The warning does not automatically block the registration. ICANN’s rules allow an applicant to proceed after reviewing and acknowledging it. These requirements are detailed in Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of ICANN’s Trademark Clearinghouse requirements.
When will these phases begin?
Verisign has not announced the dates or detailed rules for either .web registration phase. In its official .web delegation announcement, the company said it planned to offer .web domains through its channel partners later in 2026 and would release further launch details in the coming months.
What .web means for customers
.web will give customers another broadly recognizable domain option, particularly when their preferred .com name is unavailable.
Businesses could use a .web domain as:
- Their primary website address
- An address for a product or marketing campaign
- A redirect to an existing website
- A defensive registration for brand protection
- An alternative when the matching .com is already registered
Owning a .com will not automatically give a customer the right to the matching .web. Trademark owners may receive an earlier opportunity to register eligible names during a required sunrise period, while other names will become available during later launch phases.
Verisign has not yet announced .web registration or renewal prices. Unlike .com, .web is not covered by Verisign’s Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce. It will operate under ICANN’s standard Base Registry Agreement, which does not impose the same wholesale pricing restrictions as .com.
Customers should wait for official pricing and launch details before relying on pre-registration offers.
Preparing for the .web launch
Businesses interested in .web can begin identifying the brand, product, and campaign names they may want to register. They should also decide whether .web would serve as a primary address, redirect, or defensive addition to their domain portfolio.
Network Solutions can help businesses search for currently available domains, protect important brand variations, and manage their domains in one place. We’ll keep you posted when Verisign releases the official .web launch schedule and participating registrars begin announcing availability.
In the meantime, check our guide on how to choose a domain name for your business.
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