I came across some surprising news about the emergence of gTLD domains like .vodka and .gay

But here's the thing, I'm a bit puzzled about the status of two-letter domain names. Are they off-limits or do they have some special rules?

For instance, when I looked up my.place on GoDaddy, it showed the domain as unavailable. However, a check on who.is indicated that "This name is reserved by the Registry in accordance with ICANN Policy."

What's the deal with all of this?

Are two-letter domains generally unavailable?

And what's the reason behind reserving them in this manner?

Two-letter domain names, often referred to as LL domain names, are indeed subject to special rules and restrictions.

In the case of gTLDs, the allocation of two-letter domain names is governed by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) policies, as well as the specific registry operator responsible for managing the gTLD. The availability of two-letter domain names varies depending on the specific gTLD and the rules put in place by the registry operator.

In some cases, two-letter domain names may be reserved by the registry for specific purposes, such as to prevent confusion with existing country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). For example, the domain my.place may be unavailable because it is reserved by the registry in accordance with ICANN Policy, as indicated by the who.is lookup.

The reason behind reserving two-letter domain names in this manner is to manage and control their allocation in a way that serves the best interests of the internet community. By reserving certain two-letter domain names, registries can prevent potential conflicts, abuses, or misuse of these valuable and potentially sensitive domain assets.

It's important to note that the availability of two-letter domain names can also be influenced by specific domain registration policies and requirements set forth by the registry operator. For instance, some gTLD registries may restrict the registration of two-letter domain names to certain eligible entities or organizations, such as trademark holders or specific industry associations.
The status of two-letter domain names in the context of gTLDs is subject to a combination of ICANN policies, registry operator rules, and industry-specific considerations. As such, it's advisable to consult with domain registrars and relevant authorities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the availability and eligibility criteria for two-letter domain names within specific gTLDs.

The best domain names are snatched up before the registration even opens. It's a common practice.

Of course, there might be a few leftovers, but the really good ones are kept out of reach.

They're either held for high bidders or put up for private auctions among interested parties.

I've taken part in a few of these auctions. Usually, the uninterested ones drop out quickly, and half the time it's not too difficult to win. But the prices are definitely higher than the standard registration fee.

When introducing new domain extensions, numerous domains were secured in compliance with ICANN regulations. Have you explored the impact of these new domain zones on the online marketplace?

Two-letter domain names are indeed restricted, but not entirely off-limits. According to ICANN's policy, two-letter domain names are reserved for specific uses, primarily for country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) and internationalized domain names (IDNs). This is to prevent potential conflicts and ensure the stability of the global domain name system.

The reason for reserving two-letter domains is to prevent accidental registration of important domain names, such as "io" or "co", which could cause confusion or disrupt critical services. For instance, if someone were to register "io" as a generic top-level domain (gTLD), it could interfere with the existing "io" ccTLD for the British Indian Ocean Territory.

In your case, the domain "my.place" is likely unavailable because it matches a reserved two-letter domain, potentially causing confusion or conflicts. Who.is, a domain name lookup service, correctly indicates that the name is reserved by the registry in accordance with ICANN policy.