As of my last knowledge update in November 2021, there is no top-level domain (TLD) currently recognized as .NOW. Top-level domains are the suffixes that come at the end of web addresses, such as .COM, .ORG, .GOV, and so forth. These are managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
ICANN has a comprehensive list of all currently recognized top-level domains on their website. As of the aforementioned date, the .NOW TLD was not listed. It’s worth noting that ICANN does regularly update and expand the list of recognized TLDs, so it’s always possible that .NOW could be added in the future.
It is also important to mention the existence of brand TLDs. These are top-level domains that are owned by individual corporations and are used exclusively by them. For example, Google has acquired .GOOGLE, and Amazon has acquired .AMAZON. These brand-exclusive TLDs are not accessible for public use and are utilized by the owning corporation for branding or strategic purposes. As I still do not have any updates, I cannot confirm whether “.NOW” exists as a brand TLD.
New TLDs, including generic TLDs (gTLDs) and brand TLDs, are created through a process that ICANN oversees. First, there’s a proposal period where anyone can propose a new TLD. After the proposal period closes, ICANN reviews all applications and the approved ones are then passed on to a resolution phase, where they are integrated into the internet’s Domain Name System (DNS). Domain names under the new TLD are then available to be registered.
Let’s take an example with .APP, which is owned by Google. Here’s how the process worked:
1. During ICANN’s application round in 2012, Google applied for .APP among others.
2. The application went through a detailed review, including checks for financial stability and technical abilities to run a domain registry.
3. After passing the review, in this particular case, Google and other applicants who also applied for .APP went to auction where Google won by paying $25 million.
4. ICANN and Google then completed a registry agreement, and Google was given control to operate .APP top-level domain.
5. Google then launched .APP for the public to buy domain names ending with .APP.
This information is referenced from official ICANN resources and other reliable technology publishing sources, such as Ars Technica.
Therefore, as of late 2021, no .NOW top-level domain exists, but there’s always a possibility that anyone, including a corporation, can propose it in ICANN’s future new gTLD Program rounds.
Sources:
- “Domains” ICANN
- “The High Price of New TLDs” Ars Technica
- “Google Paid $25M for the ‘.App’ Top-Level Domain” TechCrunch
- “New gTLD Program” ICANN
