Author: Lluis Ouro

.barcelona, trajectory and future within the GeoTLD Group

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The .barcelona domain reaffirms its commitment to the GeoTLD Group on 16 and 17 September by taking part in the meeting in Holland.

The GeoTLD Group is an international non-profit association representing top-level geographical domains linked to cities, regions, languages and culture. Its members include .barcelona, .cat, .eus, .gal, .paris, .london and many more.

The goal of the group is to promote the digital identity of these geographical areas and cultural communities, giving visibility to cultural and linguistic diversity on the internet and driving joint projects in key fields such as security, innovation and digital promotion.

 Why is it important to belong to it?

Being a member of the GeoTLD Group puts the .barcelona domain on par with other cities and communities in the world that are working for a closer, more diverse and inclusive internet. This collaboration helps to:

  • defend the interests of the Barcelona community within international bodies, boosting the visibility of the city and its digital community on a global scale;
  • access shared knowledge and detect trends in the sector, learning from the experience of other domains;
  • work together for a safer and more inclusive digital future.

Agenda full of challenges

The meeting in Holland is a chance to share experiences and design common strategies. The main subjects to discuss include:

  • New European regulations: particularly the NIS2 directive, which aims to strengthen digital security and possible changes in agreements with registration companies.
  • The new round of gTLDs from the ICANN, planned for 2026, opening the path for new domain extensions.
  • La Liga and other situations that have entailed blocking abusive IP addresses to find a suitable solution.
  • Innovative projects by registration companies: exchange of ideas and experiences on promoting cultural and territorial domains.

DHub to be connected with Glòries metro

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The DHub is set to become the first public facility in the city with direct access from the metro! The new foyer at the Glòries station (L1) will be located on the ground floor of the building, acting as a transitional space between public transport and cultural activity.

With an area of 380 square metres, the project is by the architects’ studio AMOO STUDIO SCP, which won the ideas competition for an accessible and flowing configuration. The foyer will have a suspended ceiling with organic geometry setting out the space and elegantly and practically incorporating lighting, signage, audiovisual screens and technical systems.

There will also be a new bar and a large multi-purpose module, conceived as spaces for meeting and interaction, in keeping with the identity of the DHub.

The new entrance to the metro will be open during the facility’s usual opening hours, from 9 am to 9 pm daily, except for Mondays, when the DHub opens from 3.30 pm.

The work, which is due to get under way at the start of 2026 and conclude in the summer, has an overall budget of around a million euros. The inauguration will coincide with Barcelona’s role as the World Capital of Architecture, when the DHub will host the congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA).Remember you can find all the latest on mobility in Barcelona at mobilitat.barcelona, and on the Disseny Hub facility at dissenyhub.barcelona.

Imatge virtual de la nova sortida del metro de Glòries al DHUB.

Experience a Merce.barcelona!

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Barcelona’s local festival is here from 23 to 28 September, filling streets, squares and parks with music, family activities, shows, traditional culture and artistic projects from this year’s guest city, Manchester. Here’s a summary, you’ll find full details on the website merce.barcelona.

The image for the poster for La Mercè 2025 is the work of Lluís Danés, director, producer and set designer, and the actress Emma Vilarasau will be giving the opening speech. La Mercè also has its own song this year, created by the author and composer Gemma Humet.

The music programme consists of 106 free concerts around 14 venues in the city. Música Mercè and BAM – Barcelona Acció Musical will be offering over a hundred performances from local and international artists, from more than twenty countries, around 14 venues in the city with 16 free-access stages, including the Teatre Grec, Rambla del Raval, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Moll de la Fusta, Bogatell beach and Av. Reina Maria Cristina. From Maria Arnal to The Tyets and Pussy Riot, the music programme also features the likes of Tarta Relena, Mushkaa, Rigoberta Bandini, Niño de Elche, Ladilla Rusa, Mama Dousha and many others.

In-house productions also stand out, such as Al corazón, by Marta Valdés, with names such as Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Mayte Martín, Martirio and Raúl Rodríguez at the Teatre Grec; a tribute to El Pescadilla and Catalan rumba at the cathedral; an evening of contemporary havanera sea shanties in Pl. Sant Jaume, and Hirameki, by Juan Andrés Ospina, with the Orquesta Efímera in Passeig dels Til·lers.

Manchester will be present in the Música Mercè programme with a performance from  Queralt Lahoz and Tom Werkha; the jazz pop of Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet; the dance music of Porji and the committed songs of Chloe Slater. At the BAM we can also listen to Children of Zeus and Space Afrika, two artists specialising in ambient electronic sounds.

At the Mercè Arts de Carrer we’ll find multiple options such as the Stopgap – Dance Company and the Cambodian artist Nadenh Poan; the installation Warning Notes, and the spectacular Jardí de foc, by the company Walk the Plank. Different bee rusks prepared by Artizani (Bees! The Colony) and the competitive Family Catwalk Extravaganza, by Ghetto Fabulous, are among the other notable activities.

We should not overlook the annual event in the Parc de la Ciutadella from 26 to 28 September either, which is the hosting Terra i Gust, the Sustainable Food Festival.Chosen something yet? You’ll find the full programme all set out at merce.barcelona.

Cartell de la Mercè 2025

Celebrate the European Day of Languages with your .barcelona domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

El 26 de septiembre se celebra el Día Europeo de las Lenguas, una iniciativa del European Centre for Modern Languages ​​y el Consejo de Europa, que desde el 2001 pone en valor la diversidad lingüística del continente y promueve el aprendizaje de idiomas como herramienta de convivencia, oportunidad y cohesión cultural.

Held on 26 September, the European Day of Languages is an initiative by the European Centre for Modern Languages and the Council of Europe. The event has been held since 2001, highlighting the linguistic diversity of the continent and promoting language learning as a tool for coexistence, opportunity and cultural cohesion.

Languages are much more than a way of communicating with each other, they are an expression of identity and belonging. In an increasingly digital world, this diversity also needs to be reflected on the internet. A domain in your language gives you a voice and represents you online.

Because of this, and for the third year running, the .cat, .eus. .gal and .barcelona domains are teaming up to mark this occasion with a special promotion: your .barcelona domain for just €5. A unique opportunity to give visibility to your digital identity.

Benefits of having a domain in your language

  • Generates proximity and trust: people identify more with a website in their own language and accompanied by a domain they recognise.
  • Gives cultural visibility: you help strengthen the language and put it on the same level as any other online language.
  • Builds a coherent digital identity: if your content is linked with Barcelona, the .barcelona domain gives your message credibility.

Shared commitment

This promotion is possible thanks to the collaboration between four domains that champion cultural and linguistic diversity on the internet. Working together allows us to reach more communities, share resources and demonstrate that diversity is a key value for a richer and more representative internet.

The previous editions have been very well received, registering new domains that reflect the cultural and linguistic wealth of our communities.Make the most of this opportunity and register your domain here!

Dia Europeu de les llengües. Aconsegueix un domini en la teva llengua per només 5€ + IVA. Promoció vàlida del 22/09 al 19/10

DNS and DNSSEC: protect your domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Having a website domain is the first step in setting up your digital identity, but you also need to protect it. Being familiar with DNS and DNSSEC is essential for guaranteeing it works properly and ensuring online security.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names such as www.domini.barcelona into IP addresses that computers can interpret.

While this appears to be an instant process, it involves various steps. When you write a website address in a browser, the request reaches the DNS resolver, which requests the information for different DNS until it finds the correct address.

DNS vulnerabilities

Although essential, DNS has its weak points. The IP addresses it handles are not encrypted and can be sent to anybody that requests them. This means that attacks such as DNS hijacking can occur, where hackers manipulate the DNS to redirect users to fraudulent pages or malware.

Extra layer of security: DNSSEC

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extension) offers improved security for the DNS system.

It guarantees that the information obtained in the resolution of names is authentic and has not been manipulated, thanks to a digital signature system that validates the origin of the registers and protects the users against identity theft.

How to use DNSSEC?

DNSSEC works with a public key cryptography system. That means that instead of sharing a secret key, it uses two: a public one to sign the DNS registers and a private one to verify their authenticity.

To benefit from this:

  • your registration company must allow you to activate DNSSEC,
  • the domain must be digitally signed,
  • the DNS resolvers must validate the signatures

Although it might require technical knowledge, implementing DNSSEC is key to your domain and the users who access it.

Protect yourself online!

If you’ve got a domain, protecting it is part of your digital commitment.

DNS gives you visibility and DNSSEC protects you.

Find out more and make sure you’re making the most of all the tools available to guarantee your users’ trust.

All .barcelona domain registration companies allow you to activate DNSSEC, so all you need to do is choose the one that suits your needs best.Compare prices and services at:  https://www.domini.barcelona/registra/

Introducing ICANN Grants

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The ICANN launched its first project series of subsidies in 2024, under the name ICANN Grants. The goal is to support initiatives from around the world working towards a safer, more inclusive and accessible internet.

ICANN Grants backs projects that address some of today’s main challenges for the network, such as:

  • Improving the security of systems that make it possible for domains to work.
  • Fostering innovation based on open standards and transparent technology.
  • Fostering greater participation by new stakeholders in the governance of the internet.

The grants not only provide funds, but also recognition and the promotion of initiatives aimed at building a more equitable and sustainable internet.

The call

In May 2025, the ICANN announced the 23 projects selected. One of these presented by the .cat domain, through Accent Obert (formerly Fundació .cat): a proposal based on assessing the performance of territorial domains (geoTLD) as a tool for improving internet access the world over.

Under the name Assessing GeoTLD’s Performance for Enhanced Internet Accessibility: An Open-Source Methodological Approach, the project will create an open-source methodology whereby any TLD in the world can check which treatment it gets from traditional and AI-based search engines, the goal being to generate useful knowledge for other linguistic, cultural or urban communities.

The role of the .barcelona domain

The .barcelona domain, as with 11 other domains in the cultural, linguistic and geoterritorial sphere, backed the proposal presented and will play a key role as a case study within the project.

Its role as a geoTLD aimed at citizens, language and digital proximity makes it a valuable example within the project headed by Accent Obert. It also strengthens the commitment of the city and the territory to a more inclusive and decentralised network which respects diversity.

A summer packed with big concerts.barcelona

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Barcelona is set for an intense summer of live music at the city’s two main venues: the  Palau Sant Jordi and the Estadi Olímpic. The season got under way in fine style with concerts by Billie Eilish, Chayenne and Guns N’Roses offering a glimpse of what is to come in the height of summer.

The Palau Sant Jordi is offering a varied range of concerts combining international and national pop.  With a capacity of over 17,000, the venue has become established as an ideal space for concerts with a more intimate experience. Pablo López, Rigoberta Bandini, Ado, Marc Anthony and Rauw Alejandro will be performing here in June and July.

At the Estadi Olímpic, the venue for large-format shows, the music of Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar and SZA and BLACKPINK will fill Montjuïc with music on hot summer nights. The stadium reaffirms its role as an essential stop for big summer tours and festivals.You can check the full programme, practical information and ticket sales on the official .barcelona websites, such as palausantjordi.barcelona and estadiolimpic.barcelona.

Bicing.barcelona becomes an international role-model

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The Bicing service has become an international role-model in sustainable mobility. The service was chosen as an example of good practice in bike-sharing in the seminar “Shared and Active Mobility Solutions”, organised as part of the European TERRAIN project.

Various European cities have visited Barcelona to get a first-hand look at how the service works. Much of Bicing’s success can be attributed to the density of stations, its interconnection with other means of public transport and the use of advanced technology for smart bicycle redistribution.

With its own .barcelona domain, Bicing stands out as it is flexible, economic and healthy. Offering electric bikes and push bikes and boasting more than 500 stations, the service allows users to get around the city easily.  With over 150,000 users at present, the success of the model now goes beyond frontiers.

Drive your website’s SEO with a .barcelona domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

There are still those who are unaware that a .barcelona domain can benefit their website’s SEO. Adding the .barcelona domain to your website infrastructure can be a highly efficient strategy for improving your presence in search engines, particularly if your project is linked with the city.

Either way, regardless of the domain extension you use, the most important thing for achieving a good position is that you work on the content and structure of your website.

How you can use the .barcelona domain to reach your target audience:

·       Clear geolocation: a .barcelona domain says a lot. It shows that your project is linked to the city. It can help you to position your website better in local searches, particularly if you offer products and services in Barcelona.

·       Set yourself apart from generic domains: a .barcelona domain makes you stand out. You’re not just another .com, you’re a brand with personality and local identity. Users won’t forget you. The .barcelona domain identifies you with the city’s values, an open, creative and cosmopolitan city.  

·       A relevant domain: choose a domain name that makes it clear what your project is about. You’ll help Google and users alike to understand you better from the outset.  

·       Content conceived for your audience: publish content linked to the city, use keywords linked to Barcelona and give local customers a voice.

Five steps to strengthen your .barcelona domain’s SEO

1.    Make sure tour website is well programmed and compatible with search engine standards.

2.    Get quality links with websites with authority and relevance.

3.    Improve the loading speed for your site and offer a fluid user experience.

4.    Work on your keywords, particularly those linked to your activity and location.

5.    Filter your target audience well and adapt your message to their needs.

Make the most of the .barcelona domain to connect with your local audience better and stand out in search engines.

How does the ICANN guarantee good management by registration companies?

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

One of the responsibilities of the ICANN is to ensure that domain registration companies meet the established standards and regulations, the goal being to guarantee the security and reliability of the system. If a registration company does not achieve the minimum requirements, they may lose their accreditation. Although this measure is not often adopted, it is needed for the domain name system to function properly.

Main reasons for losing accreditation:

1.      Non-compliance with the accreditation agreement for registration companies (RAA): when domain data protecting the privacy of holders are not maintained correctly.

2.      Fraudulent practices: activities such as the falsification of information or the sale of inexistent services.

3.      Non-compliance with payments: registration companies must be up to date with the payment of taxes and annual ICANN payments.

4.      Lack of collaboration in audits: registration companies are obliged to collaborate when the ICANN conducts audits and checks operations to guarantee compliance with regulations.

5.      Lack of client support and service: registration companies must guarantee suitable customer service and offer technical support for domain holders.

6.      Commitment to security: registration companies must work for the security of the domains they manage.

How does this affect domain holders?

When the ICANN withdraws accreditation from a registration company, the domains they manage are transferred to another operator. This process may mean changes in technical management or in access to the control panel. However, these situations are not very common and domain holders generally receive clear instructions to avoid any sort of disruption.

At the .barcelona domain, we work to ensure that any incident of this type is managed promptly and efficiently, keeping any disruptions for users to a minimum.