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  • Type
    Generic top-level domain
    Registry
    Gap
    Operator
    The Gap, Inc.
    Launched
    Registration term
    1–10 years
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Supported

    About .gap domain

    .gap is a brand gTLD (generic top-level domain) that was proposed as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program by The Gap, Inc. The application was submitted in 2012, with the stated purpose of creating a trusted, hierarchical namespace for the company's digital strategy. The extension was intended to be a closed registry, operated by Gap Inc. itself to protect its online brand identity and presence.

    Who can register .gap domain

    Registration is intended to be strictly limited to The Gap, Inc., its subsidiaries, qualified affiliates, and approved strategic partners. The application states that the registry will not be open for public registration, at least initially. After an initial period of at least three years, the company may evaluate expanding registration to external parties, but any such expansion would be fee-based and controlled by the registry operator.

    How to register .gap domain

    This is a brand TLD allocated exclusively for the registry operator's own use. The Gap, Inc. applied to ICANN to operate the .gap namespace as a closed registry. Domain names within .gap are not available through commercial registrars; they are allocated internally by the brand holder for its own operations, partners, and affiliates. The delegation and management of domains is a proprietary process controlled by the company's digital strategy team.

    Typical uses of .gap domain

    The primary use case for the .gap extension is to serve as a secure, branded online space for The Gap, Inc. and its family of retail brands. It is intended for official corporate websites, marketing campaigns, and secure channels for online products and services related to the company's operations. The namespace aims to enhance brand protection and provide a consolidated platform for the retailer's digital presence, distinguishing its official channels from the broader internet.

    Tips for registering .gap domain

    • The registry is a closed, brand-only space, meaning domains are not available for public registration through standard registrars.
    • Initial registration and use were planned to be limited to Gap Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, and partners for at least the first three years of operation.
    • Any future expansion to external registrants would be a fee-based process entirely controlled and evaluated by the registry operator.

    Frequently asked questions about .gap domain

    Who operates .gap domain?The registry for .gap domains is Gap, administered by The Gap, Inc..
    Who can register a .gap domain?

    Registration is not open to the general public. Eligibility is restricted to The Gap, Inc., its legally recognized subsidiaries, and its qualified affiliates and strategic partners. The company's application indicated it may evaluate opening registration to external parties after three years, but any such access would be granted under terms and fees set by the registry.

    Can I transfer a .gap domain between registrars?

    As a closed brand registry, domain names within .gap are not transferred between independent registrars in the conventional sense. Any allocation or reassignment of domains would be an internal administrative process managed by the brand holder. There is no publicly available inter-registrar transfer policy for this TLD.

    Can I register a .gap domain for my personal or business use?

    No, you cannot. The .gap gTLD is a brand TLD operated exclusively for the use of The Gap, Inc. and its authorized entities. It is not an open TLD available for registration by unrelated individuals, businesses, or the general public through commercial domain registrars.

    What dispute policies apply to .gap domains?

    Dispute resolution would be governed by the internal policies of The Gap, Inc. as the registry operator. Since the namespace is closed and not publicly available, standard public policies like the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) may not apply. Any conflicts would likely be resolved through the company's internal governance and any contractual agreements with its partners.

    Will .gap domains ever be available to the public?

    The original application suggested the possibility of evaluating an expansion to fee-based registrations for parties outside the company after an initial three-year period. However, any decision to open the TLD would be made solely by The Gap, Inc. based on its business strategy and the sustainable operation of the registry. There is no guarantee of public availability.