Since the ICANN Big Reveal where we learned that Google applied for over 100 new gTLD extension we have been chatting about whether Google would giving away free domains.
Well we didn’t have to wait long to find out.
Google is offering 5,000 new gTLD’s in its first live new gTLD which is an IDN, .みんな
Domainincite.com broke the news that Google is offering a free domain name to the first 5,000 people to submit a .みんな web site idea via a campaign web site ”
“The offer expires April 5.”
“The regular retail price at registrars appears to be about $13 a year.”
“.みんな means “everyone” in Japanese and is apparently pronounced “.minna”. It’s the second IDN gTLD to go to general availability so far, and currently has roughly 2,500 registered names.”
We expect this just to be many free domain names that Google will be giving to users.
Google did apply for .Free
No comments? Anyone??
There’s a world of difference between
(1) offering a limited number of domains for free as a promotional incentive
and
(2) releasing a TLD in such a way that it will all registered domains will remain free (at least initially) .
So far, we see #1. Will we see #2?