.pub

Overview

• .pub is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) applied for under ICANN's New gTLD Program.
• The applicant/registry operator is Demand Media (United TLD Holdco Ltd., also referred to as United TLD).
• The string "pub" is presented as a generic, globally recognizable word relevant to publishing, advertising, local drinking establishments and related communities.

History

• The .pub application was submitted as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program (application revealed in June 2012).
• A Registry Agreement for .pub was signed with ICANN on 12 December 2013 (Demand Media received the contract).
• .pub was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 26 February 2014, completing the successful application and delegation process.

Usage and Audience

• Target audiences and use cases described in the application include:
  • Publishers and online information service providers publishing articles and photos.
  • Advertising agencies marketing services to local businesses.
  • Local owners/operators of drinking establishments promoting their businesses.
  • Broadly, communities and organizations that identify with the term "pub," spanning publishing, advertising, hospitality and related industries.

SEO and Brand Impact

• The applicant framed .pub as an "open namespace" intended to create a distinct sense of identity and belonging not achievable with existing TLDs.
• Desired brand qualities for .pub include being easily recognized, well-regarded, and fostering innovation, trust and broad participation.
• The source material discusses intended reputation and positioning but does not provide specific search-engine treatment or ranking guidance.

Notable Cases or Examples

• Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) filed a public comment objection against the .pub application in the Applicant Comment Forum.

% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       PUB

organisation: Dog Beach, LLC
address:      c/o Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         Vice President, Engineering
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldadmin@identity.digital

contact:      technical
name:         Senior Director, DNS Infrastructure Group
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldtech@identity.digital

nserver:      V0N0.NIC.PUB 2a01:8840:1e:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.28.7
nserver:      V0N1.NIC.PUB 2a01:8840:1f:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.29.7
nserver:      V0N2.NIC.PUB 2a01:8840:20:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.30.7
nserver:      V0N3.NIC.PUB 161.232.14.7 2a01:8840:f8:0:0:0:0:7
nserver:      V2N0.NIC.PUB 2a01:8840:21:0:0:0:0:7 65.22.31.7
nserver:      V2N1.NIC.PUB 161.232.15.7 2a01:8840:f9:0:0:0:0:7
ds-rdata:     53776 8 2 3766469c89af5eca8e8c5852e359396294057677c5ae8ca9c641422d7237bb4f

whois:        whois.nic.pub

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: https://www.identity.digital/

created:      2014-02-20
changed:      2023-09-13
source:       IANA