Technology & Gadgets | August 2026 | 4 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- Telegram has applied to ICANN for the proposed .gram top-level domain.
- If approved, Telegram users could get username-based domains such as durov.gram.
- The plan could give nearly 1 billion users personalized web addresses.
- Durov said users may build interactive websites with a single prompt.
- The feature remains dependent on ICANN review and approval.
Telegram is trying to turn usernames into web addresses through a proposed .gram top-level domain, a move that could connect messaging identities with hosted websites if global domain regulators approve the plan.
| .gram TLD application |
1 Billion Potential users |
One Prompt Website creation |
Telegram has applied for the .gram top-level domain, according to founder Pavel Durov. The application has been filed with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the global body responsible for coordinating domain names and related internet identifiers.
If ICANN approves the application, Telegram users could receive second-level .gram domains connected to their usernames. A username such as @durov could become durov.gram, while another account could use the same pattern under Telegram’s proposed domain space.
Durov also said Telegram wants users to create interactive websites linked to these .gram domains. According to the plan, the websites would be hosted by Telegram and could be created by entering a single prompt.
Telegram Usernames Could Become Domains
The biggest change would be the conversion of Telegram usernames into simple web addresses. Today, usernames mainly help people find accounts, channels and bots inside the Telegram app. A .gram domain could make those identities easier to use across the open web.
For example, a well-known Telegram username could become a direct browser address. This would make profiles, channels, communities or personal pages easier to share outside the app, especially for creators, businesses and public figures who already use Telegram as a main communication hub.
The idea is still conditional. Applying for a top-level domain does not mean Telegram has already received approval. ICANN applications usually involve review, technical checks, possible objections and other steps before a new domain extension can be delegated.
Prompt Websites Could Expand Telegram’s Role
Telegram’s plan goes beyond simple username domains. Durov said users would be able to create interactive websites through Telegram with just one prompt. If implemented, this would push Telegram further toward becoming a broader internet platform rather than only a messaging app.
A prompt-based website builder could help users who do not know coding or web hosting. Instead of buying a domain, choosing a host and building a page manually, a user may eventually be able to describe what they want and publish it under a .gram address.
This could appeal to small businesses, creators, educators, community groups and channel owners who want a lightweight website connected to an existing Telegram identity. It could also support mini-sites, landing pages, portfolios or interactive pages tied to Telegram communities.
ICANN Approval Remains the Main Hurdle
The plan depends on ICANN approving Telegram’s application for the .gram top-level domain. ICANN does not approve every proposed domain automatically, because new top-level domains must meet technical, operational, financial and policy requirements.
There may also be questions about how Telegram would manage names, resolve disputes, protect trademarks and prevent abuse. Any platform-linked domain system must consider impersonation, phishing and misuse risks, especially when it could be used by a very large user base.
For now, Telegram’s announcement should be read as an application and future product direction, not a live feature. Users cannot assume that their .gram domains are already available until ICANN approval and Telegram’s own rollout details are confirmed.
| Approval Note: Telegram has applied for .gram, but domains cannot launch unless ICANN approves the proposed top-level domain. |
Personal Domains Could Change User Identity
If approved and launched, .gram could give Telegram one of the largest username-to-domain systems on the internet. The company has around 1 billion users, so even limited adoption could create a major new namespace linked to social identity.
The move would also strengthen Telegram’s ecosystem. A user could chat, run a channel, manage a community and host a web page under one recognizable name. This type of identity layer could make Telegram more useful for creators and businesses, but it would also require strong moderation and security controls.
The final impact will depend on approval, pricing, eligibility rules, name reservation policies and how much control users receive over their .gram websites. Until those details are public, the project remains ambitious but unfinished.
Telegram .gram Plan at a Glance
| Feature | What Telegram Wants | Current Status | |
| .gram TLD | A dedicated top-level domain for Telegram | Applied to ICANN | |
| Username domains | Names like durov.gram linked to usernames | Depends on approval | |
| Prompt websites | Interactive websites created with one prompt | Planned feature | |
| Telegram hosting | Websites hosted through Telegram | Not yet live | |
| User base | Potential access for around 1 billion users | Conditional | |
| Important: Users should wait for ICANN approval and Telegram rollout details before assuming .gram domains are available. | |||
Disclaimer: This article is based on Pavel Durov’s announcement and available reports. The .gram feature is not live and remains subject to ICANN approval and Telegram’s final rollout rules.
