The number of names registered in the new gTLD شبكة. has fell by a quarter since the beginning of February. Thus, the predictions of skeptics are starting to slowly come true. They said many times that we should not focus on the number of registered names in the new domains: it is necessary to wait till the renewal period which will be a sort of «moment of truth» for the new gTLDs.
Internationalized domain شبكة. (the Arabic for «web») was the first to open a registration in the beginning of last year. In February 2014 domain zone enlarged by 1608 new names, the peak of the number of registrations was reached on February 1 this year – 2069. However, it was followed by a sharp decline, today the number of registered names in the domain is only 1521 – even 40 domains less that exactly a year ago. Renewal rate in شبكة. domain is around 55%.
However, شبكة. domain can hardly be considered as indicative due to the features of the regional market. Experts consider the awareness about new and internationalized domains and their demand in the Arab countries as rather low. According to Adrian Kinderis, CEO of ARI Registry Services, that runs the domain zone, current numbers are consistent with internal projections. Kinderis also pointed out that low demand of the new internationalized domain in the Arab world is the direct result of the weak marketing and efforts of only one registry in this direction are not enough.
It should not be forgotten that there is a Auto Renew Grace Period in the gTLDs. During 45 days after the registration expired the registrant has an opportunity to renew it. During this period domains might not be represented in the description files of the zone. So current numbers are not final yet.
Nevertheless, negative tendency is partly confirmed by statistics of the first new gTLDs that are run by Donuts - .GURU, .BIKE, .HOLDINGS, .PLUMBING, .SINGLES, .VENTURES and .CLOTHING, they entered the general availability phase on February 4 last year. Domain .GURU feels quite confident, but the number of registered names have lowered by approximately 1% for the last two weeks in the other domains.
