ICANN published the 1,615 applications of the 2026 new gTLD round on 7 October 2026. This guide summarises the numbers, the 263 contested strings led by .agent, who applied for the most, 30 notable applications, the key dates to March 2027, and why none of these extensions can be registered before 2028.
First Come, First Served – Registering a .ga Domain
Written by Steven White ·
A .ga domain name extension allows you to launch a website in the Central African country of Gabon, also known as the Gabonese Republic. These domains are often low in price and introduce your online presence to a whole new audience. Yet, .ga domains have had a fraught history in recent months. Read on to learn more.
What Is a .ga Domain Name?
An extension showing what country a website operates in is called a country code top-level domain name (ccTLD). The .ga ccTLD states that the domain is registered in Gabon. All .ga domains are managed by the Agence Nationale des Infrastructures Numériques et des Fréquences (ANINF). This translates as the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies.
Understanding the “First Come, First Served” Process
In essence, all domain names are given out on a first come, first served basis. After all, once you own a domain, no one else can have it unless you transfer it or allow it to lapse. However, the situation with .ga domains isn’t quite so straightforward.
In 2023, the government of the Gabonese Republic took over the management of all .ga domain names. Previously, these had been handled by a company called Freenom, famous for supplying free-of-charge domain names. Freenom achieved this by using ccTLDs from around the world, including well over 4.5 million .ga domains.
Unfortunately, the problem with unlimited, free domain names is that they’re open to abuse — and that’s exactly what happened. Cybercriminals utilized these free, respectable-looking ccTLDs for phishing and other scams. Freenom was also accused by multiple parties of cybersquatting — creating multiple versions of similar, often trademarked domain names to create website traffic.
Unsurprisingly, Freenom lost the right to manage .ga domains, returning control of them to the Gabonese authorities. Unfortunately for many legitimate site owners, millions of .ga names were deleted in an effort to purge cybercriminals and cybersquatters. Rather than working through the legitimately owned .ga domains to assess who should have their domains back, a first come, first served system was instated. If you used to have a .ga domain, you must search for it and buy it again. There’s no recourse simply because you’ve held that domain in the past.
Benefits of Investing in a .ga Domain Name
If you’ve never owned a .ga name, you may be wondering why so many people want one. Here are some of the benefits:
- The ability to do business in the Gabonese Republic with an official-looking, country-coded website.
- Expanding your online presence to another country.
- Promoting your products or services to a whole new audience.
- Creating a multinational firm.
A .ga domain name is also ideal if you’re planning to move to the Gabonese Republic. Buying your domain name now could save you hassle in the future.
How to Buy a .ga Domain Name
Despite the recent complications, it’s relatively easy to buy a .ga domain name:
- Choose a trusted international domain name supplier.
- Do a domain name search to ensure your chosen domain hasn’t already been taken.
- If available, check the pricing, available services, and then make a purchase.
There are no special requirements to buy a .ga domain. However, it’s worth noting that in light of the recent troubles, you must quickly connect your .ga domain to a live website. The ANINF is routinely deleting .ga domains that sit idle with no live content. The organization does this to prevent cybercrime and trademark infringement. If your website isn’t ready for launch, therefore, you may want to wait until it is. Once your .ga domain is deleted, the first come, first served rule means there are no guarantees of getting it back.
Gabonese Republic Domain Names From Register.Domains
Buying domain names is simpler when you use Register.Domains. You get the peace of mind that comes with free web redirection and email forwarding, helping you maintain business continuity. We also provide free-of-charge DNS server support. Plus, you can purchase additional services such as SSL security certificates, hosting packages, and professional email via Google Workspace.
Buy a .ga domain name today and see how easy it is to get started with Register.Domains.
