This article is designed to walk you through the new GlobalBlock service available at 101domain.com, presenting a series of short videos that address key topics and answer common questions, helping you understand the value and benefits.
Part 1: What is GlobalBlock?
GlobalBlock is a new service developed by the Brand Safety Alliance (BSA), a subsidiary of GoDaddy. The BSA is a new initiative focused on innovation and helping global domain name registries create solutions that empower brand owners to safeguard their online identities.
The GlobalBlock service provides brands and trademark owners block a significant portion of the domain name landscape to prevent unauthorized domain registrations using their brands or trademarks, all at a fraction of the cost it traditionally takes to do so.
An Introduction to the Domain Name System
Before you can understand the value of GlobalBlock, it is essential to take a look at the current state of the domain name system. As it exists today, there are over 350 million active domain names in over 2,000 domain extensions spread out across over 200 jurisdictions and domain registries. Essentially, this means that there are abundant domain options available, providing ample opportunities for individuals to register domain names using your brands.
At 101domain, we categorize the domain name system into three distinct buckets.
- Legacy generic top-level domains: These include some of the first domain extensions ever created. You may recognize .com .net, .org, .biz, and .info.
- Country code domains or ccTLDs: ccTLDs are based on two-digit country ISO codes. At our last count, there were 1,284 top-level (e.g. .uk) and second-level extensions (e.g. .co.uk) spread out across over 200 jurisdictions.
- New generic top-level domains or new gTLDs: Introduced in 2013, the new gTLDs are continuously expanding, with dozens being released each year. Another round is anticipated in 2026, potentially introducing hundreds more to the collection. At 101domain, we have recently launched new options such as .ing, .meme, .diy, .food, and more. At our last count, there were 592 extensions across dozens of registries.
Finally, there are Web3 or blockchain domains. These are not traditional domain names. Unconventional in nature, they operate on the blockchain system. While still relatively new and highly unregulated, the blockchain domain space is anticipated to see a surge in numbers moving forward. Therefore, they are an important area to monitor closely.
What Core Problem Does GlobalBlock Solve?
The domain name space is vast and ever-expanding, with over 350 million registered domain names and thousands of new ones created daily. Safeguarding your brand across the entire domain name universe can be costly and complex. Trademark protection doesn’t automatically extend to all domain names and situations. This makes things complicated, especially with the massive number of domain options to choose from. Most companies strategically register domain names in relevant jurisdictions and variations while also monitoring and enforcing their trademarks.
If you were to individually register a company’s name or trademark across all of the domain extensions covered in GlobalBlock, it would be extremely costly in both time and resources. GlobalBlock streamlines this process by covering various domain extensions and blocking potentially infringing registrations, including confusingly similar typos of your trademark, for a single reduced annual fee.
What are the Differences between GlobalBlock and Existing Blocking Services?
The key difference between GlobalBlock and existing blocking services, such as DPML or AdultBlock, lies in their scope. While DPML is specific to Identity Digital registry (formerly Donuts and Afilias) and AdultBlock is associated with the ICM registry, these services can only block domain names within their respective domain portfolio selections.
In contrast, GlobalBlock offers a unified blocking solution that spans multiple registries, covering a broad range of domain options. With over 40 registries already included, its coverage will continue to grow as more registries are onboarded to the platform in the future.
Part 2: What Does GlobalBlock Do & Not Do?
The Brand Safety Alliance launched GlobalBlock as a unified blocking service in collaboration with over 40 domain registries globally. By forming these partnerships, GlobalBlock can block the registration of specific terms across all participating registries and extensions. When a label is blocked in this manner, the corresponding domain names are taken off the market and do not function as traditional domain registrations.
As of now, the GlobalBlock service covers nearly 600 TLDs, including Web3 and blockchain domains. By the end of 2024, it plans to encompass 700 to 800 TLDs, with ongoing coverage in the pipeline.
Compare GlobalBlock and GlobalBlock+
GlobalBlock is available in two versions, standard and GlobalBlock+. If you are familiar with Identity Digital’s DPML services, you may find similarities in both. With both options, your labels are quickly blocked across all participating domains, you can unblock domains at any time for a fee, and the service Priority Auto-Catch is included. Priority Auto-Catch acts as a guaranteed backorder service, meaning domain names not included at the time of purchase because they were already registered are added to your block list automatically when they expire.
The Priority Auto-Catch feature works well if you already own the domain names and want to let them expire so they can be blocked with GlobalBlock as a cost-saving strategy.
The main differences between GlobalBlock and GlobalBlock+ are the inclusion of main label variants and the unlimited blocking of homoglyph or homograph confusing characters exclusive to GlobalBlock+. If you have dealt with these types of domain squatting issues, you know the value this has. An easy way to remember the difference is that the standard service only blocks your exact match term, while GlobalBlock+ provides extra features for enhanced security.
A Complete Breakdown of Labels
There are three types of labels: main labels, main label variants, and additional labels. In the context of Bank of America as an example, the main label is “bankofamerica” without spaces. Both GlobalBlock options accommodate unlimited blocking of main labels.
Main label variants, like “bank-of-america”, “bank-ofamerica”, and “bankof-america”, include spaces replaced by hyphens. In a similar fashion, if you have an “&” in your term, it would be removed or replaced with the word “and”. GlobalBlock+ allows unlimited blocking of main label variants.
Additional labels, such as “banksofamerica” or “bankofamericas“, may be blocked in GlobalBlock+, but only if you have a DPML+ with these additional labels already registered.
What Does GlobalBlock Not Do?
GlobalBlock doesn’t block domain names already registered by you or someone else, but it automatically catches any matching expired domains through Priority Auto-Catch. It also doesn’t block domain names that are already reserved at a registry, nor does it cover domains in the AdultBlock service: .xxx, .porn, .adult, and .sex.
With GlobalBlock+, you can’t block additional labels of your trademark, such as plurals, trademark plus word, or trademark contains like you may be accustomed to in the DPML blocking service. However, if you have an existing DPML+ that includes additional labels already, theywill be transferred to GlobalBlock+, except only the exact match of the additional labels will be blocked.
Part 3: What Domains are Covered (& Not Covered) by GlobalBlock?
The global domain name space is vast and the number of domain options is ever-changing, which makes it challenging to determine which domains can be blocked. Currently, GlobalBlock can safeguard your term across 30% of all available domain options, covering approximately 600 domain extensions, including legacy TLDs, ccTLDs, gTLDs, and blockchain domains. To put things in perspective, registering a single term across all these domains could cost over $30,000 for just one year.
Out of the gate, the domain coverage of GlobalBlock is impressive, with ongoing discussions to partner with more registries. As new domain extensions and registries are added to the service, prices for will increase accordingly. However, your subscription price will remain unchanged throughout your term whether you have signed one, two, or three-year terms.
Choosing Between GlobalBlock and GlobalBlock+
Both GlobalBlock services include premium names, unblocking options, and Priority Auto-Catch. GlobalBlock+ adds unlimited blocking for your main label, main label variants, and confusing characters. If you have a current DPML+, you automatically receive exact match blocking for additional labels at no extra charge, making it a significant benefit. For those with existing DPML or DPML+, it is generally recommended to choose the corresponding version in GlobalBlock.
Part 4: What Trademark Rights Do I Need to Be Eligible?
The requirements for GlobalBlock are simple and more streamlined than previous blocking services. You don’t need a validated trademark or SMD file from the trademark clearinghouse. Having these can speed up the activation process, but they are not mandatory.
If you don’t have a validated trademark, an active trademark registration is sufficient and will be verified by the Brand Safety Alliance at no extra cost. Being a registered trademark owner is not a prerequisite. Unregistered company or organization names, as well as celebrity names, are also eligible. The chart below outlines some common acceptable documents based on the term you wish to block.
There are a range of other options available. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, we are here to assist you.
Contact Us: +1.888.982.7940 | [email protected]
Part 5: I Already Have DPML, Can and Should I Upgrade?
Let’s compare DPML and GlobalBlock. DPML, provided by Identity Digital (formerly Donuts and Afilias registries), offers domain blocking for extensions they own. GlobalBlock is a unified service that covers DPML’s extensions and those from over 40 other registries, with future growth expected. It initially covers twice as many extensions as DPML, with a projection to encompass 700 to 800 domains by the end of 2024. It also includes DPML’s domain list and similar features, alongside coverage for Web3 or blockchain domains. Considering it’s expanding coverage, it would be beneficial to upgrade.
Upgrade Options Available to DPML Holders
If your DPML expires before February 28, 2025, you can purchase GlobalBlock or GlobalBlock+ at a 10% discount and let your DPML run its course. If your DPML expires after this date, you can opt for a GlobalBlock bridging service, saving $1,000 annually compared to the full service. This bridging service combines your existing DPML coverage with additional GlobalBlock benefits until you switch to full service, ensuring no overlap in protection.
We recommend the bridging service as the most cost-effective solution, saving over half of the DPML expense annually.
When your DPML comes up for renewal, you can consider transitioning to the full GlobalBlock service to avoid coverage gaps, or you can continue both your DPML and the bridging service indefinitely, but it’s typically unnecessary due to similar coverage levels.
If you have purchased the standard DPML, in most cases you’ll want to stick with the standard GlobalBlock service or bridging service. If you have purchased the DPML+ service, you’ll want to move to the GlobalBlock+ or bridging service.
However, it’s important to note that DPML+ incorporates homoglyph and confusing character protection for additional labels whereas with GlobalBlock+ you only get exact match coverage. Considering this, retaining DPML+ while subscribing to the bridging service would ensure continued coverage and access to future GlobalBlock features.
Our team can provide detailed reports on your label coverage in GlobalBlock to aid decision-making. If you have questions regarding the transition from DPML to GlobalBlock or any other considerations, our account executives are available to assist you.
Contact Us: +1.888.982.7940 | [email protected]
