The .app domain name now belongs to Google

Top-level domains (TLD) are those letters you see at the end of web domains, with “.com” and “.net” being some of the most common. ICANN, which is the organization that manages web addresses, has been releasing several custom TLDs over the past few months and auctioning them off to the highest bidder. In the latest such auction, Google paid $25 million to acquire exclusive rights to the .app TLD.

Google paid $25 million to get exclusive rights to the .app TLD, according to a new report. TLDs, or “top-level domains” are the bits like “.com” and “.net” at the end of web domains. ICANN, the organization responsible for managing web addresses, has been launching many new, customized TLDs in recent months. The purchase means that Google will be able to create web addresses like “google.app” or “android.app.” Google, of course, has its own domain registry where users can buy their own web addresses. The .app TLD may become available through that route, though Google hasn’t confirmed those plans. It’s also possible that Google could have other plans for the domain. Unlike other TLDs currently held by the company (such as .how and .dad), .app provides a unique opportunity to set the Google Play store apart from competitors by offering developers the chance to get a .app domain linking directly to their Google Play page.