.Blog domain name Landrush has started

The .Blog registry (owned by WordPress) launched the Landrush Phase for purchasing .blog web addresses.

This phase marks the first time non-trademark owners can apply for early access to a .blog domain name. That means anyone can now apply to claim a name.

That means you can apply now to get early access to a .blog domain name, before they become available for sale on November 21.

.Blog Landrush Timeline

Landrush lasts for only 7 days — .blog addresses open up to everyone at regular prices starting November 21 — so demand can be high for some terms and therefore you may pay a little more to be first in line for the name you want.

If more than one brand or person wants the same .blog domain, then the registration will go to auction.

The Landrush Period will end on November 9 at 14:59 UTC. After that deadline, here’s what you can expect to happen:

– November 10: Any domains for which there was only one application will be registered. All other domains with multiple applicants will then go to auction. These applicants are sent to a web marketplace, and our auction provider, called Sedo. Sedo will then set up the auctions and notify the bidders via email.

– November 11: Sedo will send out the actual schedule for the auctions to the bidders.

– November 14-17: Sedo carries out the auctions and collects any auction-related proceeds.

– November 18: Sedo exports the winning Application IDs to Nominet (our back-end infrastructure provider) where they are then finalized. Any applications where payment has not been made will remain pending to be processed.

– November 21: Nominet registers the winning applications and charges normal fees against registrar’s accounts. Nominet systems issue poll notifications to successful and unsuccessful registrars.

Any outstanding applications not completed by November 21 will be registered once approved.

To get started, visit one of the many registrars now participating in .blog Landrush.

Why .blog? Hear From Matt Mullenweg Co-Creator of WordPress:

What’s Landrush?

Landrush is a period during which you can sign up for a new domain (like mygroovysite.blog) ahead of everyone else. During Landrush you pay a one-time application fee on top of your recurring registration fee to be able to secure the name first.

If someone else wants the same domain name during this period, there will be an auction to determine the winner, and only the winner will pay the application fee.

Landrush only lasts one week—you’ll have to apply before November 9 to secure your domain name during this special early application phase.

You can also wait until November 21 for General Availability — that’s when all remaining domain names will go on sale at regular pricing. Starting on this date, .blog domain name registrations will be first-come, first-serve.

We’ve provided an FAQ below for more details about the process, or you can apply now at get.blog.

How does the auction process work?

If someone else wants the same domain name that you’ve requested, you’ll get invited to participate in an auction for the domain name, taking place between November 14 and November 17. If you lose the auction, you’ll get your application fee back.

Can I use my .blog domain registered during Landrush here at WordPress.com?

Absolutely! Once you’ve successfully registered your .blog domain name during Landrush you can add it to your WordPress.com site at My Sites > Domains https://wordpress.com/domains. You can learn more about adding a domain to your WordPress.com site or blog on our domain support page.

I’d like to register a .blog address but at the normal price—how can I do that?

Once General Availability starts on November 21, you’ll be able to register your .blog domain directly through WordPress.com, and we’ll remind you how to do that right here.

How much is the early application fee?

Application fee prices are set by each individual reseller, which is any company selling .blog domain names (and there are many). You can register a .blog domain name at get.blog and the early application fee for Landrush is $220, plus the domain’s recurring registration fee.

Get.blog will also refund your application fee if you don’t get the domain name you requested during Landrush or the subsequent auction.

What’s .blog’s Landrush Phase?