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Global survey finds 92% of marketers recognize opportunities delivered by generic top-level domains, but cost and awareness barriers remain ahead of 2026 application window
LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global survey from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) reveals that 52% of marketing leaders believe generic top-level domains (gTLDs – the three characters or more that come after the dot in a URL) have strong potential for enhancing brand presence online; however, a knowledge gap is preventing many brands from taking advantage of the opportunities that a gTLD can bring.
The research surveyed over 2,000 marketing leaders across eight countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, U.K., and U.S.) with the purpose of creating a picture of the evolving digital marketing landscape and understanding the levels of awareness around gTLDs. It comes as ICANN prepares to open the next application window for new gTLDs in April 2026 – the New gTLD Program: Next Round – the first opportunity in more than a decade for organizations to apply to operate their own gTLD.
Top-level domains are the letters found at the end of an Internet address (with gTLDs including .ceo, .charity, .menu, and .paris). Brands can apply to run their own gTLD as a way to indicate the purpose of their organization or to clearly mark a website as being related to their brand. The research shows that increasing brand awareness and visibility is the top priority for marketing leaders (54%) and that over half believe that gTLDs have strong potential for enhancing brand presence online. However, the research also shows that almost a third (32%) of marketing leaders surveyed are unfamiliar with gTLDs, which suggests that operating a new gTLD may be a strategic opportunity that many organizations are currently overlooking.
Key findings from the research include:
- After defining a gTLD, 92% of marketing leaders responded that they could see the potential benefits to gTLDs, with enhanced brand differentiation (46%), improved customer trust (45%), better control over online presence (44%), and improved SEO (44%) topping the list.
- 19% of marketing leaders work for organizations that have previously applied for a gTLD.
- Cost concerns (31%), knowledge gaps (27%), and insufficient resources (24%) were identified as the main barriers to application.
- The research revealed notable regional variations, with Nigerian (74%) and Indian (61%) marketing leaders showing the strongest belief in gTLDs' potential for branding and online presence. In contrast, marketers in China expressed more mixed views, with 50% seeing strong potential but 49% considering gTLDs an unnecessary investment with unclear Return On Investment.
The findings come at a time when marketing leaders are facing significant challenges in standing out from competitors (53%), attracting and engaging the right audience (52%), and keeping pace with digital trends (47%).
A new gTLD can be an innovative tool for commerce and communication. They allow businesses in specific countries, sectors, or niche markets to create an exclusive, descriptive, and memorable label on the Internet. An entity operating a gTLD can provide its users and customers with an extra measure of confidence in its security and legitimacy online. This can be valuable in today's environment, where users often don't know whether they can trust the source on the Internet.
Theresa Swinehart, SVP, Global Domains & Strategy said: "The New gTLD Program: Next Round presents an opportunity for businesses, communities, governments, and others to apply to operate their own secure space online, tailored to fit their organization, community, culture, language, and customer interests. Now is also the moment for brands to consider applying for a gTLD, and this research tells us there is still a lack of awareness. ICANN can help provide information and raise awareness of the Next Round and the opportunity it presents for global communities, organizations, and businesses, including brands."
To help address the knowledge gap, ICANN is developing resources to help organizations understand the application process and potential opportunities for gTLDs ahead of the 2026 application window. ICANN also offers the Applicant Support Program (ASP), which provides financial and non-financial assistance to eligible applicants.
The full report, "Understanding the gTLD Opportunity for Brands," is available at https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/understanding-gtld-opportunity-brands-20may25-en.pdf. For more information on the New gTLD Program visit https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en.
About ICANN
ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.
About the survey
This research was carried out by Focaldata on behalf of ICANN, with fieldwork conducted in March 2025. 2,000 marketing decision makers were surveyed, including Marketing Managers/Directors, CMOs, Heads of Marketing and other marketing-related roles. The research gathered a global perspective, including marketing decision makers across Brazil (161), China (165), India (350), Mexico (170), Nigeria (351), South Africa (156), U.K. (364), and U.S. (353).
Global survey finds 92% of marketers recognize opportunities delivered by generic top-level domains, but cost and awareness barriers remain ahead of 2026 application window
LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global survey from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) reveals that 52% of marketing leaders believe generic top-level domains (gTLDs – the three characters or more that come after the dot in a URL) have strong potential for enhancing brand presence online; however, a knowledge gap is preventing many brands from taking advantage of the opportunities that a gTLD can bring.
The research surveyed over 2,000 marketing leaders across eight countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, U.K., and U.S.) with the purpose of creating a picture of the evolving digital marketing landscape and understanding the levels of awareness around gTLDs. It comes as ICANN prepares to open the next application window for new gTLDs in April 2026 – the New gTLD Program: Next Round – the first opportunity in more than a decade for organizations to apply to operate their own gTLD.
Top-level domains are the letters found at the end of an Internet address (with gTLDs including .ceo, .charity, .menu, and .paris). Brands can apply to run their own gTLD as a way to indicate the purpose of their organization or to clearly mark a website as being related to their brand. The research shows that increasing brand awareness and visibility is the top priority for marketing leaders (54%) and that over half believe that gTLDs have strong potential for enhancing brand presence online. However, the research also shows that almost a third (32%) of marketing leaders surveyed are unfamiliar with gTLDs, which suggests that operating a new gTLD may be a strategic opportunity that many organizations are currently overlooking.
Key findings from the research include:
- After defining a gTLD, 92% of marketing leaders responded that they could see the potential benefits to gTLDs, with enhanced brand differentiation (46%), improved customer trust (45%), better control over online presence (44%), and improved SEO (44%) topping the list.
- 19% of marketing leaders work for organizations that have previously applied for a gTLD.
- Cost concerns (31%), knowledge gaps (27%), and insufficient resources (24%) were identified as the main barriers to application.
- The research revealed notable regional variations, with Nigerian (74%) and Indian (61%) marketing leaders showing the strongest belief in gTLDs' potential for branding and online presence. In contrast, marketers in China expressed more mixed views, with 50% seeing strong potential but 49% considering gTLDs an unnecessary investment with unclear Return On Investment.
The findings come at a time when marketing leaders are facing significant challenges in standing out from competitors (53%), attracting and engaging the right audience (52%), and keeping pace with digital trends (47%).
A new gTLD can be an innovative tool for commerce and communication. They allow businesses in specific countries, sectors, or niche markets to create an exclusive, descriptive, and memorable label on the Internet. An entity operating a gTLD can provide its users and customers with an extra measure of confidence in its security and legitimacy online. This can be valuable in today's environment, where users often don't know whether they can trust the source on the Internet.
Theresa Swinehart, SVP, Global Domains & Strategy said: "The New gTLD Program: Next Round presents an opportunity for businesses, communities, governments, and others to apply to operate their own secure space online, tailored to fit their organization, community, culture, language, and customer interests. Now is also the moment for brands to consider applying for a gTLD, and this research tells us there is still a lack of awareness. ICANN can help provide information and raise awareness of the Next Round and the opportunity it presents for global communities, organizations, and businesses, including brands."
To help address the knowledge gap, ICANN is developing resources to help organizations understand the application process and potential opportunities for gTLDs ahead of the 2026 application window. ICANN also offers the Applicant Support Program (ASP), which provides financial and non-financial assistance to eligible applicants.
The full report, "Understanding the gTLD Opportunity for Brands," is available at https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/understanding-gtld-opportunity-brands-20may25-en.pdf. For more information on the New gTLD Program visit https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en.
About ICANN
ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.
About the survey
This research was carried out by Focaldata on behalf of ICANN, with fieldwork conducted in March 2025. 2,000 marketing decision makers were surveyed, including Marketing Managers/Directors, CMOs, Heads of Marketing and other marketing-related roles. The research gathered a global perspective, including marketing decision makers across Brazil (161), China (165), India (350), Mexico (170), Nigeria (351), South Africa (156), U.K. (364), and U.S. (353).
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
New Research Reveals Marketing Leaders See Strong Potential in gTLDs Despite Knowledge Gap
TAIPEI, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Game-Fi world welcomes a bold new contender as CJC Race officially launches worldwide, revolutionizing the blockchain gaming landscape with its immersive horse racing experience and dynamic Play-to-Earn economy.
Built on the Arbitrum blockchain, CJC Race blends strategic gameplay with real-world earning potential, offering players a chance to become digital stable owners, compete in high-stakes tournaments, and earn stablecoin rewards. With its motto "skills meet strategy, rewards meet reality" the game invites both newcomers and seasoned Game-Fi enthusiasts to dive into a new era of strategic Game-Fi horse racing ecosystem.
Strategic Racing Meets Real-World Value
At the heart of CJC Race, it is a competitive simulation where players collect NFT Horses, Jockeys, and Items to build their ultimate racing teams. Success hinges on tactical decisions—matching horses to track types and distances, optimizing team synergy, and mastering diverse formats like:
Champion Stakes: Monthly prize pool starting at 30,000 USDT, exclusive to Tycoon Club members.
League Challenges: Distance-based races with 18,000 USDT in seasonal rewards. (Opens when the number of members reaches 511.)
Grand Master Cups: Open tournaments with payouts up to 150x the entry fee.
PvP Battles: 24/7 racing with customizable stakes and prize splits.
Farm: Passive income opportunities up to 15 USDT/month.
Day Spa: Additional profit opportunities by bidding for management rights to the Day Spa.
All in-game earnings can be exchanged for USDT, turning gameplay into stable and tangible financial returns.
Tycoon Club: Where Ownership Meets Opportunity
CJC Race introduces the Tycoon Club, a groundbreaking economic model that rewards community growth. Every NFT mystery box purchase earns membership points, grants access to exclusive races and a share of the platform's expanding prize pool. As the member base grows, so do the rewards—automatically distributed in USDT to loyal members.
"Our ecosystem is designed to reward strategic play, community participation, and long-term commitment," said a CJC Race spokesperson. "As our racing community expands, the ecosystem's value grows, and our earliest, most loyal supporters deserve to share in that success. We're committed to creating a sustainable Game-Fi platform where players control their racing experience and earn consistent income—bringing the Play-to-Earn vision to life. This is Game-Fi done right."
Massive Prize Pools and Future Guild Wars
To celebrate its global launch, CJC Race will debut with an initial monthly prize pool at 60,000 USDT, scaling with player participation. Upcoming updates will introduce a Guild system, adding another 30,000 USDT in monthly rewards and fostering team-based competition.
Whether you're a crypto investor seeking stable returns or a gamer chasing glory, CJC Race offers a thrilling new frontier in Web3 gaming.
Join the Race Today
The Information may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, timely, current, or up to date. Like any printed materials, the Information may become out-of-date. CJC Race undertakes no obligation to update any Information on the Sites; provided, however, that CJC Race may update the Information at any time without notice in CJC Race's sole and absolute discretion. CJC Race reserves the right to make alterations or deletions to the Information at any time without notice. The information is provided for general purposes only. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. CJC Race accepts no responsibility for any actions taken based on this content or for any consequences resulting from its use.
All rights are reserved by CJC Race.
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** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CJC Race Launches Global Game-Fi Horse Racing Platform With Real USDT Rewards
