ICANN seeks providers to evaluate string similarity and variantjustification for new domain names

20 June 2025 — The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to find organisations capable of evaluating two technical areas in the next round of new internet domain endings (generic top-level domains, or gTLDs), expected to launch in April 2026. The two areas are String Similarity and Variant Justification. Interested providers may apply to handle one or both.

What are these evaluations?

• String Similarity:
  This check asks a simple question: Does a proposed new domain ending look confusingly similar to an existing one?
  Example: If someone applies for ‘.c0m’ (with a zero) or a look-alike in another script that could be mistaken for ‘.com,’ users might be misled. The string similarity panel assesses visual confusion to protect users and keep the Domain Name System (DNS) usable and safe.
• Variant Justification:
  Some scripts (for example, certain Asian or Middle Eastern scripts) have variant characters, different characters that can look or function similarly. An applicant may request a ‘variant’ version of a gTLD to serve users who type or read those variants. Variant Justification evaluates whether there is a clear, policy-based need for those variant gTLDs and whether the request meets ICANN’s established criteria.

When do these checks happen?

• String Similarity takes place during the String Evaluation phase, shortly after ICANN publishes the list of applied-for gTLDs.
• Variant Justification occurs during the Application and Applicant Evaluation phase, after string similarity results are out and any string contentions or objections have been resolved.

Who can respond to the RFI?

Any prospective vendor can participate. ICANN will consider responses from providers that can staff expert panels for:

1. String Similarity only,
2. Variant Justification only, or
3. Both evaluation areas.

ICANN combined both topics in one RFI to better coordinate vendor planning and timelines.

Why this matters

These evaluations help ensure the internet remains:

• Trustworthy (reducing user confusion and fraud risks),
• Secure (preventing malicious look-alike domains),
• Inclusive (supporting legitimate variants so people can use the internet in their own scripts and languages).

How to express interest

Email string-similarity-and-variant-justification-rfi@icann.org with:

• Organization name
• Primary contact name
• Primary contact email

Deadline: Official responses must be submitted through ICANN’s sourcing tool by 23:59 UTC on 11 August 2025. Access to the tool can be requested via the same email address.