analysis .aaa - gTLD (Generic Top-Level Domain)

[Eric Lyon]

I decided to go ahead and start analyzing gTLD's in tandem with the ccTLD's I've already been analyzing. The best place for me to start is at the top of the alphabetically ordered list of ICANN back gTLD's.

Today, I'll be analyzing the .aaa gTLD, which is the first in the list to see if it's a viable extension to explore further or if there is any data that could help add to someone elses research.

.aaa is a Brand gTLD delegated to the Root Zone in ICANN's New gTLD Program. It was registered on August 12, 2015 and delegated on August 26 of the same year. The sponsoring organization and registry is American Automobile Association, Inc. (AAA),[1] a non-profit organization and the world's largest automobile club with 53.3 million members. Neustar will provide back-end registry services. [2]

Its main objective in applying for the string is to protect its brand and to provide unique identity and trusted online space for its members, directors, officers, local and regional clubs as well as its employees and subsidiaries. If approved by the Internet governing body, the organizations plans to offer the registration of .aaa domain names free of charge or the price will be set based on a cost-recovery structure.[3]

Source

Note: As of today, there are no registrars that offer anyone outside the American Automobile Association to register a .aaa domain. Unfortunately, that means that this gTLD is off the table to domain investors and no-bueno!