Telegram Seeks .gram Domain for Custom Websites

Telegram, the cloud-based messaging platform developed by Telegram FZ-LLC, has formally applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for ownership of the .gram top-level domain (TLD). This application aims to provide the platform's one-billion-strong user base with personalized second-level domains, such as mapping the username @durov to durov.gram, and to enable the creation of interactive websites hosted directly by Telegram. The initiative addresses the company's dependency on third-party domain operators, a vulnerability highlighted by a recent 19-hour suspension of its t.me shortlinks.

Key Facts

This section provides the specific factual anchors regarding Telegram's .gram domain application, based on the announcement by CEO Pavel Durov.

What Is the .gram Domain Application?

The .gram domain application is a formal request submitted by Telegram to ICANN to own and operate the .gram generic top-level domain (gTLD). If successful, this would allow Telegram to issue second-level domains to its users, creating a direct mapping between usernames and web addresses, such as durov.gram.

According to the announcement, the initiative is designed to allow users to set up their own interactive websites, which would be hosted by Telegram. The plan reportedly includes the creation of custom websites using prompts, suggesting the integration of an AI component into the feature. Telegram's application for the .gram TLD is a strategic move to provide a billion users with unique, platform-hosted web identities.

Why Is Telegram Seeking Its Own TLD?

Telegram is seeking its own TLD to eliminate its dependency on third-party registry operators, a need highlighted by a recent infrastructure failure. About a month prior to the announcement, the platform's t.me shortlinks stopped working for approximately 19 hours due to a serverHold block placed on the domain by the .me registry.

Because t.me relies on the .me TLD, which Telegram does not own, the company was forced to publicly ask the .me registry to investigate the problem. Owning the .gram TLD would mitigate such registry-level disruptions and give Telegram direct control over its domain infrastructure. By owning .gram, Telegram aims to prevent third-party registry blocks that previously caused a 19-hour suspension of its t.me shortlink service.

How Does the Application Process Work?

The application process involves ICANN, which closed this year's round of applications for generic TLDs on August 13, 2026. The regulatory body will only disclose the list of applicants a few months later, meaning the outcome of Telegram's application is not immediately known.

Telegram is not the only entity angling for the .gram TLD; a company named Link Freedom Group has also reportedly applied. Even if Telegram's application is successful, the rollout of the promised features will likely take considerable time due to the regulatory review process. ICANN closed the 2026 application round with more than 1,600 new gTLD applications, and the list of applicants will only be revealed months later.

Who Is This For?

This initiative is designed for Telegram's existing user base of one billion individuals who currently use usernames for identification. The feature would allow these users to transition from a simple username handle to a fully functional, custom website address under the .gram domain.

The service is particularly aimed at users who want to establish a web presence without the technical overhead of traditional web hosting. By enabling website creation through prompts, Telegram is targeting users who prefer AI-assisted tools for building interactive sites, making web publishing accessible to a non-technical audience. The .gram domain service is intended for Telegram's one billion users who seek to create interactive websites without relying on third-party hosting services.

Common Questions

What happened to Telegram's t.me shortlinks?

Telegram's t.me shortlinks stopped working for around 19 hours about a month before the .gram announcement. This was due to a serverHold block placed on the domain by the .me registry, which Telegram does not own, prompting a public request for resolution.

Will usernames map directly to .gram websites?

Yes, according to CEO Pavel Durov, if the application is successful, usernames like @durov would map to durov.gram. This would provide users with a direct and personalized second-level domain under the new TLD.

Is Telegram the only company applying for .gram?

No, Telegram is not the only entity seeking the .gram TLD. A company by the name of Link Freedom Group has also reportedly applied for the domain, meaning the application process is competitive.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single source: the original report published by Lowyat.NET on August 2026, titled "Telegram Applies For .gram Domain To Enable Custom Website Creation For 1 Billion Users." The report synthesizes information from a public X post by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and a report from Domain Name Wire.

Direct quotes and specific data points, including the 19-hour outage and the 1 billion user figure, are attributed to these primary sources. No currency conversions or unit translations were required for this data. This article was last updated on August 20, 2026.