Two firms apply for .fart gTLD at ICANN

Two domain industry firms have formally applied for the top-level domain .fart, ensuring a contentious evaluation process at ICANN and reviving a decades-old internet meme in the process.

The applications from Link Freedom Group and Endpoint Domains mark the first time a .fart gTLD has been pursued since ICANN opened its new gTLD program. Both companies confirmed their submissions, which carry a minimum application fee of $185,000 each—though additional costs for legal and technical evaluations typically push total spending closer to $227,000 per applicant. The domain clownpenis.fart, a reference to a 1999 Saturday Night Live sketch, is widely expected to become a real web address if the gTLD is approved.

What happens next

The .fart applications will now enter ICANN’s standard evaluation pipeline, which includes background checks, string similarity reviews, and potential objections from third parties. If both applications pass initial scrutiny, the contention set will likely be resolved through an auction, where the highest bidder wins the right to operate the registry. Alternatively, one applicant could withdraw, or the parties might reach a private settlement.

Historically, contention auctions have fetched millions for high-value strings like .app or .web, but niche extensions like .fart rarely attract such sums. The outcome will depend on how aggressively the applicants are willing to compete—or whether ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) raises objections on grounds of taste or public order. The GAC has previously intervened in applications for strings like .sucks and .gripe, though its influence has waned in recent years.

Why the .fart gTLD matters

While .fart is unlikely to become a mainstream domain extension, its application underscores the continued demand for niche TLDs, even in an era dominated by .com and country-code domains. For registries, the appeal lies in the potential for high-margin sales to domain investors, pranksters, or brands looking to capitalize on humor. The SNL sketch that popularized clownpenis.fart remains a cultural touchstone for early internet absurdity, and its revival could drive curiosity-driven registrations.

The application also highlights the unpredictability of ICANN’s new gTLD program. Despite initial projections of thousands of new extensions, the program has delivered far fewer, with many applicants dropping out due to high costs or regulatory hurdles. The survival of .fart—alongside more utilitarian extensions like .shop or .app—demonstrates that even frivolous strings can navigate the process if backed by determined applicants.

What to watch

• Objections: Will the GAC or other stakeholders challenge .fart on grounds of decency or public order? Past interventions have delayed or derailed controversial strings.
• Auction dynamics: If the contention set goes to auction, will the bidding stay modest, or will one applicant push aggressively to secure the string?
• Market reaction: If approved, how will registrars price .fart domains, and will early adopters include brands, influencers, or domain investors?

The .fart gTLD may never rival .com in popularity, but its journey through ICANN’s process will test the boundaries of what the domain industry considers acceptable—and whether humor still has a place in the internet’s naming system.