ICANN publishes final guide for Community Priority Evaluation in 2026 gTLD round
ICANN has updated the rules for assessing community-based applications in the 2026 round of new generic top-level domains, following a public comment process.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has published the final evaluation guide for Community Priority Evaluation in the New Generic Top-Level Domains Program: 2026 Round.
Community Priority Evaluation, or CPE, is part of ICANN’s process for deciding some disputes over proposed new domain endings. A generic top-level domain is the final part of an internet address, such as .com, .org, or a newly proposed string.
The issue arises when more than one applicant wants the same, or a very similar, new domain ending. If one applicant claims to represent a clearly defined community, it may seek priority through Community Priority Evaluation.
CPE examines whether the application is genuinely connected to the community it claims to serve. It also looks at whether the proposed domain string matches that community and whether the applicant has sufficient community support.
ICANN updated the evaluation guide after a public comment period that closed on 4 May 2026. The final version sets out how CPE will be assessed in the 2026 application round.
The publication also includes the CPE Panel Process and Procedures. This document was developed by the CPE vendor and explains how the evaluation panel will carry out its work.
The guide is important because CPE can affect which applicant proceeds when there is competition for a new domain string. It provides applicants with more detail on how community claims will be reviewed before decisions are made in the 2026 round.
The CPE Evaluation Guide and Panel Process Procedures document is available here.
