Competition, Consumer Trust and Consumer Choice (CCT) Metrics Reporting ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments mandates that it review the New gTLD Program in terms of competition, consumer trust, and consumer choice (CCT). The ICANN community recommended a list of metrics and definitions that would inform this review and the ICANN board approved these metrics. ICANN staff is responsible for collecting data necessary to produce these metrics, which will be part of the recurring CCT review.

This webpage serves as a central reporting space for CCT metrics. Each metric includes the number it was assigned by the community in its recommendations.

Not all approved metrics are included here, as some were incorporated into other efforts, including a consumer survey, registrant survey and an economic study. Some, but not all, metrics include information about the period prior to the introduction of the first new gTLDs in October 2013, and will serve as a baseline of comparison for future data. Those metrics include a footnote indicating which period of the data is considered part of the baseline.

ICANN will update the metrics as new data becomes available. The update schedule is noted next to each metric.

View Metrics by Category • Compliance

• Registries

• Registrars

• Domain Name Registrations

• Domain Name Navigation

• Rights Protection Mechanisms

Compliance

These metrics are drawn from data compiled by ICANN’s compliance department. This section will be updated annually, as the ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report is published.

1.6 Notices of Breach Issued to registry operators

The total number of notices of breach issued to registry operators by ICANN because of contract or policy compliance matters. [Updated Annually]

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Registry Breach Notices

1 0 0 0 0

Sources: ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report Baseline: 2011-2013 CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

1.7 Notices of Breach Issued to Registrars for Contract or Policy Compliance Matters

The number of notices of breach of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement that ICANN sent to Registrars. [Updated Annually]

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Notices of Breach 9 20 42 61 32

Suspensions 0 1 0 4 6

Terminations 1 3 11 7 8

Sources: ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report Baseline: 2011-2013 CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

1.8 Registry & Registrar General Complaints

The metrics reports on the number of general complaints, regarding both registries and registrars, published by ICANN Compliance. This includes information about registrars, WHOIS information, IP address issues, spam/viruses and website content. [Updated Annually]

2012 2013 2014 2015

2012 2013 2014 2015

Registrar Number of Complaints 48,711 26,188 39,869 45,926

Registry Number of Complaints N/A* N/A* 1,921 2,180

Total Number of Complaints 48,711 26,188 41,790 48,106

Sources: ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report Baseline: 2012-2013 CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust *This data is not available because prior to 2014, there was no consolidated platform to collect data on Registry Complaints.

1.20 Complaints Regarding Inaccurate, Invalid, or Suspect WHOIS Records

This metric reports on the number of complaints regarding incomplete or incorrect WHOIS data published by ICANN Compliance . [Updated Annually]

2012 2013 2014 2015

Total WHOIS Complaints 30,751 15,283 29,857 36,354

Complaints Regarding Access 216 125 248 308

Complaints Regarding Inaccuracy 30,535 15,158 29,609 34,740

Source: ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report Baseline: 2012-2013 CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

4.5 Total Number of Complaints Received by ICANN Regarding Improper Use of Domains

Prior to the delegation of the first new gTLD as part of the New gTLD Program, ICANN staff compiled a list of closure codes related to confusion or misunderstanding of TLD functions. These codes went into function These closure codes have been used to determine the total number of complaints in this category. Some examples of these closure codes include: hijacking, website content, or spam. This metric reports on annual totals. [Updated Annually]

2013* 2014 2015

Total Number of Complaints N/A 765 993

Sources: ICANN databases CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

8.1 Total Number of Complaints Received by ICANN Related to Confusion or Misunderstanding of TLD Functions

Prior to the delegation of the first new gTLD as part of the new gTLD Program, ICANN staff compiled a list of closure codes related to confusion or misunderstanding of TLD functions that could be used to measure . These closure codes have been used to determine the total number of complaints in this category. Some examples of these closure codes include: private dispute, domain a ccTLD, and complaint about a wrong website. This metric reports on annual totals. [Updated Annually]

2013 2014 2015

Total Number of Complaints 5 3,965 5,063

Sources: ICANN databases CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

8.3 Registries That Have Been the Subject of Public Interest Commitments (PICs)-related Complaints to ICANN As Reported in ICANN Compliance Reports

There have been no reported complaints related to Public Interest Commitments submitted to ICANN's compliance department and published in its Annual Report. [Updated Annually]

Source: ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

8.4 Registries Losing a Dispute Resolution Procedure Related to PICs

This metric measures the number of registries that have lost a dispute resolution process related to their Public Interest Commitments (PICs). [Updated Annually]

There have been no DRPs related to PICs since the launch of the New gTLD Program.

Source: ICANN Contractual Compliance Annual Report CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

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Registries

These metrics are drawn from data sources from IANA root zone data of delegated TLDs, executed Registry Agreements, and registry websites. [Updated Monthly]

2.4 TLDs Using IDN Scripts

The number of Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) top-level domains (TLDs) delegated into the Internet's root zone. [Updated Monthly] [As of: 31 March 2016]

Language*** Count

Arabic 6 Chinese 44 German 2 Hebrew 1 Hindi 3 Japanese 11 Korean 3 Russian 7 Thai 1 Persian 1

Script Type*** Count

Arabic 7 Cyrillic 7 Devanagari 3 Han 47 Hangul 2 Hebrew 1 Japanese* 2 Katakana 6 Latin Script* 2

*Note: The two German IDNs are counted in the Latin script category due to the inclusion of IDN characters in the string **(Alias for Han + Hiragana + Katakana) ***Note: Language and script type are defined as those specified by the applicant in questions 14C1 and 14D1 of the new gTLD application, respectively.

Source: gTLD Applications CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice

2.7 Legal Regimes Where New gTLD Registry Operators are Based

The number of legal regime where new gTLD registry operators are based. The Legal Regime is determined using the identification of the parties specified in the Registry Agreement. The Registry Agreements can be found here. [Updated Monthly] [As of: 31 March 2016]

ISO  Code   Count  of  gTLDs  AE   3  AT   2  AU   26  BE   3  

BH   2  BM   3  BR   10  CA   4  CH   35  CN   27  CO   1  DE   44  DK   4  ES   13  FI   3  FR   27  GB   28  GI   16  HK   15  IE   22  IN   10  IQ   1  IT   6  JP   50  KR   4  KW   2  KY   71  LU   6  

MX   2  NL   6  NO   2  NZ   1  PT   2  QA   1  RU   7  SA   4  SC   7  SE   9  SG   4  TH   1  TR   7  TW   1  US   427  UY   4  VG   7  ZA   3  

European  Economic  Interest  Grouping  (EEIG)   1  Intergovernmental  Organization   1  

Region  Code   Count  of  gTLDs  

AP   156  AQ   0  EUR   339  LAC   15  

NA   433  IGO   1  

Source: gTLD Applications CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice

. *This data is categorized using the ICANN Geographic Regions list. **The country codes are based on the ISO 3166-2 standard.

3.1 Quantity of TLDs

The total number of TLDs before and after expansion of the Domain Name System as a result of the New gTLD Program. [Updated Monthly]

Baseline Quantity of all TLDs (includes ccTLDs)* Total Quantity of Delegated TLDs Post-October 2013 [As of: 31 March 2016]

306 1260

Source: IANA Root Zone Database CCT Review Category: Competition

3.2 Quantity of gTLDs

The total number of gTLDs under contract with ICANN before and after expansion. [Updated Monthly]

Baseline Quantity of Legacy gTLDs* Total Quantity of Delegated gTLDs Post October 2013 [As of: 31 March 2016]

18 954

Source: ICANN gTLD Delegated Strings List and IANA Root Zone Database CCT Review Category: Competition

*Note: This metric considers the following as legacy gTLDs: '.com' '.net' '.org' '.aero' '.asia' '.museum' '.xxx' '.pro' '.cat' '.mobi' '.jobs' '.coop' '.name' '.biz' '.info' '.tel' '.travel', '.post'

3.2.a Quantity of gTLDs Removed from the Root Zone

The gTLD ‘.doosan’ was removed form the Root Zone on 19 February 2016. It therefore has been removed from the total number of gTLDs. The Legal Notice regarding its removal can be found here and the IANA Report on revocation can be found here.

3.3 Unique gTLD Registry Operators

The number of unique* gTLD registry operators before and after expansion. [Updated Monthly]

Baseline Quantity of Unique* Registry Operators

Total Quantity of Unique* Registry Operators [As of: 31 March 2016]

15 639

Source: Registry Agreement CCT Review Category: Competition

*Note: The term 'Registry Operator' refers to the entity holding the registry contract with ICANN. A registry operator is also responsible for providing registry services, some or all of which may be outsourced. A ‘Unique Registry Operator,' however, is considered one that is not already operating a delegated gTLD.

3.4 Unique gTLD Registry Service Providers

The number of unique* gTLD Registry Service Providers before and after expansion. Registry Service Providers (RSPs) were identified based on data in new gTLD applications. [Updated Monthly]

Total Quantity of Unique* gTLD Registry Service Providers [As of: 31 March 2016]

41

Source: gTLD Applications CCT Review Category: Competition

*Note: The term 'Registry Service Provider' refers to an entity providing certain technical operations for a Registry Operator. This term is not meant to include an Emergency Back End Registry Operator (EBERO). A ‘Unique Registry Service Provider,' however, is considered one that is not already providing registry services to a delegated gTLD.

3.6 New gTLDs Operated by ‘New Entrants’

The relative share of new gTLDs operated by ’new entrants;’ Registry Operators* that did not operate a gTLD prior to the expansion of the Domain Name System as a result of the New gTLD Program. [Updated Monthly] [As of: 31 March 2016]

Share Operated by 'New Entrants' Share Operated by 'Legacy*' Registry Operators

97.5% (931 gTLDs) 2.4% (23 gTLDs)

Source: gTLD Applications CCT Review Category: Competition

*Note: This metric considers the following as 'legacy' gTLDs: '.com' '.net' '.org' '.aero' '.asia' '.museum' '.xxx' '.pro' '.cat' '.mobi' '.jobs' '.coop' '.name' '.biz' '.info' '.tel' '.travel' **Note: The term 'Registry Operator' refers to the entity holding the registry contract with ICANN. A registry operator is also responsible for providing registry services, some or all of which may be outsourced. A ‘Unique Registry Operator', however, is considered one that is not already operating a delegated gTLD.

7.1 Registry Privacy Policies

The number of gTLD registries with privacy policies that are clearly and easily accessible by end users.*

Metrics 7.1-7.3 Excel File [Baseline Data]

CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

*Note: This data table only includes baseline findings related to metrics 7.1-7.3. ICANN staff is currently developing a qualitative method to collect data for metrics 7.1-7.3.

7.2 Registry Allocation Policies

The number of gTLD registries with allocation policies that are clearly and easily accessible by end users.

Metrics 7.1-7.3 Excel File [Baseline Data]

CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

*Note: This data table only includes baseline findings related to metrics 7.1-7.3. ICANN staff is currently developing a qualitative method to collect data for metrics 7.1-7.3.

7.3 Registry Codes of Conduct

The number of registries that disclose end-user information regarding their codes of conduct for sub-domain owners/operators.

Metrics 7.1-7.3 Excel File [Baseline Data]

CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

*Note: This data table only includes baseline findings related to metrics 7.1-7.3. ICANN staff is currently developing a qualitative method to collect data for metrics 7.1-7.3.

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Registrars

The metrics included in this category represent registrars that offer registrations in IDNs, as well as the total number of registrars.

2.5 Registrar Websites offering Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) Scripts at the Second Level [Updated Bi-Annually]

The number of registrars allowing Internet users to register IDN scripts at the second level through their websites.

Month/ Year 08/27/2015 04/24/2016 Total Offering IDNs at the second level

252 261

Percentage of Registrars Offering IDNs at the second level

14.8% 12.2%

Source: List of Registrars offering IDN registrations* CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice *Note: All registries do not publish a list of registrars offering IDN registrations. Numbers based on the list published by Verisign are included here for reference. Note: this list does not specify when Verisign updates it.

Submission is open to a wide range of topics and methodological approaches under the broad rubric of public diplomacy. We encourage submissions that are closely aligned with the Center’s current research initiatives listed below. A 500-word abstract and CV should be submitted by May 30, 2016, via email, tocpd@usc.edu.  

Quantity of Registrars

The number of ICANN-accredited registrars before and after the first delegation of the New gTLD Program, along with an indication of regions where registrars are based. [Updated Twice Annually in April and October]

Source: Internal ICANN Reports and ICANN List of Registrars (The number of Registrars may change on a daily basis as registrars are terminated or added. The numbers here are reported as of 31 October each year.) CCT Review Category: Competition

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April 2011 October 2011 April 2012 October

2012 April 2013

Total Accredited Registrars

968 995 1015 1025 970

Total Domains 131,327,964 134,335,207 142,025,975 144,838,773 147,920,457

October 2013 April 2014 October

2014 April 2015 October 2015 April 2016

Total Accredited Registrars

992 1011 1160 1540 2125 2129

Total Domains 149,159,300 153,272,788 153,210,653 156,149,626 157,805,298 166,552,998

Regional Breakdown

of Registrars

North America 654 656 778 1155 1718 1718

Europe 152 162 165 162 166 167 Asia/

Pacific 158 167 192 198 213 218

South America 21 19 17 17 18 16

Africa 7 7 8 8 10 10

Domain Name Registrations

The metrics in this group provide insight into how registrants around the world are entering the domain name market via new gTLDs.

2.6 Registrations in IDN TLDs as Compared to the Total Number of Registrations in New gTLDs

This metric will demonstrate whether growth in IDN TLDs is comparable to growth in all new gTLDs. [Updated Monthly]

Month/ Year IDN registrations Total New gTLD Registrations

October 2013 4 4

November 2013 10 45

December 2013 19 86

January 2014 259 2,815

February 2014 1,889 194,198

March 2014 5.587 420,564

April 2014 54,163 666,419

May 2014 58,809 841,537

June 2014 66,459 1,319,344

July 2014 70,345 1,793,004

August 2014 232,587 2,247,728

September 2014 241,126 2,622,744

October 2014 255,354 3,158,011

November 2014 286,875 3,483,028

December 2014 321,394 3,807,651

January 2015 475,211 4,255,704

February 2015 482,592 4,531,623

March 2015 487,755 4,849,345

April 2015 488,115 5,308,745

May 2015 492,032 5,799,230

June 2015 521,132 6,306,901

July 2015 521,228 6,751,961

August 2015 519,633 7,266,258

September 2015 517,968 8,082,627

October 2015 514,526 8,904,130

November 2015 527,100 10,552,144

December 2015 530,831 11,313,275

January 2016 536,411 12,029,514

February 2016 534,852 15,126,818

Source: Bulk Registration Data Access (BRDA) Files CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice

2.9 Relative Share of Domain Names in New gTLDs Existing in Legacy TLDs Prior to Expansion

This metric looks at the relative share of new gTLD registrations already having the same domain in legacy TLDs prior to expansion. The data will be presented as a snapshot in time. A random sample of 25 gTLDs was selected to be published in this chart. The same random sample is used for metrics 3.8 and 4.4. [Updated Monthly]

gTLD Number of Domain Names Existing in Legacy TLDs Prior to Expansion

December, 2015

Number of Domain Names Existing in Legacy TLDs Prior to Expansion

January, 2016

.arte 1 1

.bbva 1 1

.bet 1 274

.bot 1 1

.drive 2 2

.fresenius 1 1

.game 5 5

.gives 895 912

.hosting 15,085 15,207

.irish 1,527 1,579

.ltd 1 1

.origins 1 1

.pics 24,504 24,747

.realty 11 11

.sandvikcoromant 4 4

.solutions 40,342 40,976

.style 3,523 3,784

.tatamotors 1 1

.tiffany N/A 1

.weber 1 1

.xn--3ds443g 28,381 28,413

.xn--fiq64b 68 69

.xn--kcrx77d1x4a 4 4

.yandex 15 15

Source: Bulk Registration Data Access (BRDA) Files CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice

2.11 Jurisdictions Where New gTLD Registrants are Located

This metric measures the geographic diversity of registrants across all new gTLDs, using a sample of names. The number of registrants is based on the sample, not the total number of registrants per country. The sample is based on WHOIS output information as of July 2015 for a sample of 37,500 domain names for the 660 delegated new gTLDs. [Updated Annually]

Metric 2.11 Excel File.

Country Number of Registrants* (As of 07/2015)

CN 10,218 US 9,612 JP 2,695 DE 2,602 UK 1,686 CY 1,500 FR 917 CA 913 PA 821 AU 791

Source: WHOIS Output information CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice

3.8 ‘Unique’ Second Level Registrations in the New gTLD Space

The number of registrations for second-level domain names in the new gTLD space that do not appear as a registration in any other TLD. A random sample of 25 gTLDs were selected to be published in this chart. The same random sample is used for metrics 2.9 and 4.4. [Updated Monthly]

gTLD Quantity of “unique” second level

registrations January, 2016

Percentage of “unique” second level registrations January, 2016

.arte 37 97.4%

.bbva 44 97.8%

.bet 1 0.4%

.bot 0 0%

.drive 0 0%

.fresenius 0 0%

.game 0 0%

.gives 21 2.1%

.hosting 159 1.0%

.irish 92 5.0%

.ltd 0 0%

.origins 0 0%

.pics 5,622 17.7%

.realty 0 0%

.sandvikcoromant 0 0%

.solutions 1,075 2.4%

.style 60 1.5%

.tatamotors 45 97.8%

.tiffany 0 0%

.weber 0 0%

.xn--3ds443g 10,731 16.5%

.xn--fiq64b 40 36.7%

.xn--kcrx77d1x4a 0 0%

.yandex 0 0%

Source: Bulk Registration Data Access (BRDA) Files CCT Review Category: Competition

4.4 Percentage of Non-Resolving Domains

The percentage of domains in each new gTLD that are registered but do not resolve. A random sample of 25 gTLDs was selected to be published in this chart. The same random sample is used for metrics 2.9 and 3.8. [Updated Monthly]

gTLD Number of Non-Resolving

Domains January, 2016

Percentage of Non-Resolving Domains

January, 2016

.arte 35 92.1%

.bbva 38 84.4%

.bet 98 35.6%

.bot 0 0%

.drive 1 50%

.fresenius 0 0%

.game 5 83.3%

.gives 31 3.0%

.hosting 644 4.1%

.irish 147 8.0%

.ltd 0 0%

.origins 0 0%

.pics 1,510 4.7%

.realty 0 0%

.sandvikcoromant 3 60%

.solutions 1,133 2.5%

.style 101 2.5%

.tatamotors 41 89.1%

.tiffany 0 0%

.weber 0 0%

.xn--3ds443g 29,231 44.8%

.xn--fiq64b 2 1.8%

.xn--kcrx77d1x4a 3 75%

.yandex 0 0%

Source: Bulk Registration Data Access (BRDA) Files CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

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Domain Name Navigation

These metrics are compiled by ICANN’s technical services team and include data on how domain names resolve in web browsers and other end-user applications.

These metrics will be added at a later date.

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Rights Protection Mechanisms

These metrics are compiled from Uniform Dispute Resolution Procedure (UDRP) and Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) providers, as well as complaints to ICANN regarding these procedures.

1.9.a. Filed UDRP and URS Cases against Registrants

The number of cases filed with UDRP and URS providers. [Updated Annually]

Year Total

2012 3,987 (UDRP) 2013 3,371 (UDRP) 2014 3,436 (UDRP) & 229 (URS) 2015 3,466 (UDRP) & 220 (URS)

Source: Arbitration Provider Databases CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

1.9.b. Combined UDRP and URS Complaints to ICANN

This metric reports on the number of complaints to ICANN concerning implementation of UDRP and URS decisions. [Updated Annually]

Year UDRP Complaints

2012 658

Year UDRP Complaints

2013 408 2014 226 2015 210

Year URS Complaints

2014 19 2015 27

Source: ICANN Databases CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

1.10 Combined UDRP and URS Decisions Against Registrants

The number of UDRP and URS decisions against registrants. [Updated Annually]

UDRP Baseline Data:

Combined UDRP & URS Data Post Expansion:

Source: Arbitration provider databases (Note: Some arbitration providers also provide data on ccTLDs. This data does not reflect ccTLD cases. This data is subject to change on the arbitration provider databases. To access the most up-to-date data please review the databases here: List of Approved Dispute Resolution Providers. Please note that only the Asia Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre and the National Arbitration Forum provide URS arbitration services and UDRP services.) CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust

1.12 Registry Restrictions Dispute Resolutions Procedure (RRDRP) Decisions

The RRDRP is intended to address circumstances in which a community-based New gTLD Registry Operator deviates from the registration restrictions outlined in its Registry Agreement. [Updated Annually]

As of 22 February 2016 there have been no RRDRP cases.

Source: The National Arbitration Forum Databases CCT Review Category: Consumer Trust 2.8 Share of Sunrise Registrations and Domain Blocks to Total Registrations in Each TLD

The number of sunrise registrations in new gTLDs and legacy gTLDs, to the extent that data was available. Domain blocks are defined as commercial

blocking services offered by registries. Consolidated data on domain blocks is not currently available. The data presented here only reports on the share of sunrise registrations to total registrations in each TLD. [Updated Annually]

Metric 2.8 Excel File (Updated: 15 December 2015)

Source: Trademark Database Reports CCT Review Category: Consumer Choice

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