A billion Telegram users could soon get their own domain

Aug 19, 2026 — 2:43 AM ET

• Telegram has applied for a new “.gram” top-level domain.
• It could give users their own username-based domains in the “username.gram” format.
• The company might also let users create websites on their domains using natural language prompts.

Telegram users do a lot more than just send and receive messages on the app. Telegram has useful bots and channels, and users can even manage their home lab with Telegram. Soon, the app might offer users a custom domain to host entire websites.

In a new X post, Telegram founder Pavel Durov shared that the company has applied for a “.gram” top-level domain (TLD). If the application is granted, Telegram users could get their own username-based domains in the format: username.gram. Durov also added that Telegram might let users create websites on their domains with just one prompt.

Telegram filed its application with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). However, applying does not guarantee that ICANN will accept the “.gram” domain and assign it to Telegram. There are technical and financial evaluations, objection periods, and other stages before a new TLD is accepted.

Telegram’s push for a self-operated TLD could stem from the recent disruption to the company’s “t.me” links. Back in July, Telegram’s short links stopped working for nearly a day because the domain registrar controlling the “.me” TLD temporarily disabled Telegram’s domain.

If Telegram’s application for its own “.gram” TLD is approved, it will give the company more control over links created by the Telegram app. For a service that often finds itself at loggerheads with governments around the world, having its own TLD could be extremely important.