As of my latest knowledge and research, there is currently no top-level domain (TLD) designated as .GAP. A top-level domain refers to the last segment of a domain name or the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. The most common TLDs are .com, .org, .net, .gov, .edu, and so on.
Top-level domains are classified into two main groups: generic TLDs and country-code TLDs. Generic TLDs, or gTLDs, include domains like .com (commercial), .net (network), .org (organization), etc. They were originally intended for specific communities but are now open for general purposes. Meanwhile, country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) represent specific geographic locations. For example, .ca represents Canada, .us represents the United States, .uk represents the United Kingdom, and so on.
To expand the namespace and offer more domain opportunities, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in 2011 announced the New gTLD program to allow entities around the globe to apply for specific TLDs. Since 2014, a huge range of new gTLDs have started to take place, including brands (.apple, .bmw), communities (.club, .garden), or generic words (.love, .music). However, .GAP is not one of those.
It’s worth noting that even though GAP is a well-known clothing brand, they have not registered .GAP as their brand TLD. As per ICANN’s policy, a brand TLD application process is comprehensive, and running a brand TLD involves significant responsibility and cost. Therefore, not all global brands have utilized this opportunity.
Currently, GAP primarily uses the .com TLD (gap.com) for its online presence. Unless GAP applies to ICANN to acquire .GAP gTLD and it’s approved, .GAP will not exist as a top-level domain.
For all the aforementioned information, several reliable sources were consulted, including Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) website, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s resources, and the official websites of several global brands.
Sources:
1. ICANN’s website (https://www.icann.org/)
2. World Intellectual Property Organization’s webpage (https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/)
3. GAP’s official website (https://www.gap.com/)
