Squarespace gets into the domain registry business

Squarespace, one of the largest registrars, has applied for 15 new top-level domains, putting it in direct competition with GoDaddy for most of them. The move shows registrars moving into registry ownership, which could shape what new domains become available.

Squarespace's applications cover generic words that map to common site categories: .brand, .chef, .gym, .lab, .learn, .venue. The selection appears tied to the kinds of sites its customers build, since Squarespace became a major registrar through the Google Domains acquisition.

Nine of the 15 strings also drew applications from GoDaddy. That means most of Squarespace's applications will go through ICANN's contention process, where competing applicants for the same string must resolve who gets it, often through auction. Only .member, .planner, .trainer and .venue are uncontested at this point.

For domain holders, the practical effect is still distant. New gTLDs take years to go from application to delegation, and the outcome of contention is unknown. If these TLDs launch, they would add new registration options, but the value of any new extension will depend on how registries price and market it.

The larger pattern is vertical integration. Registrars already control access to domains; owning registries gives them control over supply as well. That changes the incentives around pricing, distribution and data, and it is something holders of existing domains should watch as the application round progresses.