• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, May 31, 2012

Google said Thursday it submitted applications for more than 50 top level domain names (TLDs) for .google, .docs, .youtube, and .lol to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The goal to expand the Web's suffixes could allow the company to offer a variety of new services related to emerging technologies, such as Project Glass, and original programming on YouTube. 

For instance, FremantleMedia said it would add the YouTube channel "The Pet Collective,” featuring new series and programming. The channel, part of YouTube new original programming rollout, will bring seven original programs to YouTube hosted by Khloe Kardashian, Bindi and Robert Irwin and David Lehre among others. The shows will offer pet training tips, pet entertainment and programs designed to inspire responsible pet purchasing and ownership.

ICANN closed the application process for new domain names Wednesday. It plans to list the name applications on June 13, days after Google, Microsoft, Facebook and others plan to make the transition from Internet Protocol version 4 to IPv6 on June 6. The change will provide available IP addresses for the growing number of Internet-connected devices.

Kleiner Perkins partner Mary Meeker's stats that point to 2.3 billion global Internet users in 2011 -- up 8%, driven by emerging markets like mobile traffic, which continues to grow.

"We're just beginning to explore this potential source of innovation on the Web, and we are curious to see how these proposed new TLDs will fare in the existing TLD environment," Vint Cerf, chief Internet evangelist, wrote in a post. By opening up more choices for Internet domain names, we hope people will find options for more diverse -- and perhaps shorter -- signposts in cyberspace."