The Internet Runs on Cats and Porn. It’s About to Get Cattier and Pornier
By Pete Millspaugh · Oct 6, 2026, 5:00 AM CDT
Soon, hundreds of new top-level domains, including .meow and .fart, could be added to the internet. WIRED goes inside the backroom shenanigans of ICANN, the organization at the helm.
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Layer 1 · Claims & fact checks
AI analysisLayer 3 · Reporting analysis
AI analysisSensationalismThe headline uses exaggerated, attention‑grabbing language that frames the story as a novelty rather than a policy discussion.
Humor/InformalityThe phrasing casts the organization in a playful, informal light, suggesting intrigue without providing concrete details.
Lack of EvidenceThe claim is presented without citation of any official ICANN proposal, timeline, or data supporting the scale of the expansion.
Context
AI analysisMissing context
The piece does not explain ICANN’s formal process for approving new generic top‑level domains, the criteria used, the potential technical or policy implications, or any viewpoints from stakeholders such as registrars, businesses, or consumer‑privacy advocates.
Important context
ICANN’s role as the global coordinator of the DNS system means that any expansion of the TLD space follows a structured application, evaluation, and public comment process, which can affect trademark owners, internet governance, and the overall stability of the domain name system.
Opinion vs. reporting
AI analysisThe article leans heavily toward opinion and humor, using sensational language (“cats and porn,” “cattier and pornier”) rather than providing balanced reporting or empirical evidence.