Telegram Applies For .Gram Domain

Telegram, a popular messaging platform, has applied for the .gram top-level domain as part of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers' (ICANN) 2026 round of new generic top-level domains. This was announced by Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, on X.

If ICANN approves the application, Telegram's over one billion users could receive their own second-level domains in the format yourname.gram. Users would also be able to set up interactive websites hosted by Telegram with a single prompt, allowing people to launch personal web pages without technical skills.

The application is part of ICANN's New Generic Top-Level Domain Program's 2026 round, which closed on August 12 with more than 1,600 primary applications. This marks the first major expansion of the internet's domain namespace in over a decade. The application fee is $227,000 per string, a cost described as incidental for a platform of Telegram's scale.

Under the proposal, a Telegram username such as @durov could become durov.gram, giving users a dedicated web address tied to their existing identity on the platform. However, it's worth noting that if Telegram is awarded the .gram registry, individual username.gram addresses would function as Telegram-managed subdomains rather than independently owned web properties that users could transfer or sell.

ICANN is expected to publish the full list of applicants, known as 'Reveal Day,' no later than nine weeks after the window closed, placing it around late October 2026. This is when it will become clear whether Telegram's application is confirmed among them.

An application does not guarantee that .gram will become operational. Telegram will need to clear ICANN's evaluation process before the domain could be delegated and opened for registrations, and the timeline for that approval remains unclear.

The potential approval of the .gram domain could have significant implications for Telegram users and the wider internet community. It could provide users with more control over their online presence and make it easier for them to create and manage their own websites.

In the context of the internet's evolving landscape, the expansion of top-level domains is an important development. It could lead to greater diversity and innovation in the online space, as well as provide more opportunities for individuals and organizations to establish their own unique online identities.

Overall, Telegram's application for the .gram domain is an interesting development that could have significant implications for the platform's users and the wider internet community. However, the outcome of the application process remains uncertain, and it's too early to say whether the .gram domain will become a reality.

The approval process for new top-level domains is complex and involves several stages. ICANN will evaluate Telegram's application based on a range of criteria, including the platform's technical capabilities, financial resources, and commitment to operating the domain in a responsible and secure manner.

If approved, the .gram domain could provide a new way for Telegram users to establish their online presence and connect with others. It could also provide opportunities for developers and entrepreneurs to create new services and applications that utilize the .gram domain.

In conclusion, Telegram's application for the .gram domain is an important development that could have significant implications for the platform's users and the wider internet community. While the outcome of the application process remains uncertain, it's clear that the expansion of top-level domains is an important trend that will continue to shape the internet's evolving landscape.