The Secret World of .new Shortcuts You Never Knew Existed

You open your browser, type docs.new, hit enter… and instantly, a brand-new Google Doc appears. No login pages. No endless clicks through menus. Just boom! you’re in.

Sounds like a hacker trick, right? Except it’s not. It’s real, and it’s one of the most overlooked productivity gems of the modern internet: the .new shortcut domains.

These shortcuts are more than quirky tech trivia. They’re a glimpse into how the web can feel alive again: direct, fast, and almost magical. While most of us slog through drop-downs, toolbars, and tabs, the people who know about .new domains glide past all that friction. And today, you’re going to become one of them.

What Exactly Are .new Domains?

Google quietly launched the .new top-level domain (TLD) in 2019. Unlike most domain extensions that host websites, .new domains are action triggers. They don’t take you to a homepage; instead, they launch you directly into creating something new.

Think of them as the internet’s version of a “shortcut key.” But instead of pressing Ctrl+N, you’re typing a word into your browser bar.

The Most Useful .new Shortcuts You Can Use Right Now

Here’s a rundown of the most popular (and time-saving) .new shortcuts you’ll want to bookmark in your brain:

• docs.new → Opens a new Google Doc instantly
• sheets.new → Creates a new Google Sheet
• slides.new → Starts a new Google Slides presentation
• forms.new → Opens a fresh Google Form
• keep.new → Adds a new Google Keep note
• meet.new → Spins up a new Google Meet meeting

But it’s not just Google. Other companies are in on the game too:

• canva.new → Creates a new Canva design
• playlist.new → Starts a new YouTube playlist
• story.new → Opens a new Medium draft
• link.new → Creates a new Bitly link
• repo.new → Creates a new GitHub repository
• database.new → Spins up a new Supabase database

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll start experimenting, typing random words followed by .new just to see what’s possible. It’s the modern-day equivalent of stumbling upon a cheat code.

Why These Shortcuts Feel Magical

The magic of .new shortcuts lies in what they remove.

• No menus. You don’t have to navigate through toolbars or dashboards.
• No searching. Forget typing “Google Docs” into Google, clicking the first result, then hitting “Blank.”
• No delay. You’re instantly creating.

It’s a small change, but it makes your workflow feel almost futuristic. The browser bar transforms into a command line: a direct portal to productivity.

The Hidden Philosophy Behind *.new*

At first glance, these domains look like a neat gimmick. But under the hood, they’re part of a bigger vision:

1. Action Over Navigation. The web is cluttered with steps and screens. .new cuts through the noise.
2. Habit Building. Once you know these shortcuts, they stick. It’s muscle memory.
3. Ownership of the Everyday. By controlling .new, Google has positioned itself not just as a search engine, but as the “starting point” for daily tasks.

It’s smart branding. Every time you use .new, you’re reminded of Google’s ecosystem, while also saving yourself time.

How to Make the Most of *.new*

If you want to get serious about speeding up your digital life, here are some tips:

• Pin them to muscle memory. Start typing “docs.new” instead of going through your bookmarks.
• Teach your team. Imagine onboarding a new coworker and showing them “slides.new” for instant presentations.
• Experiment. Try out .new shortcuts from non-Google companies. You’ll be surprised how many exist.
• Create your own. Yes, businesses can register .new domains for their apps too. If you’re building a platform, you can give your users an instant creation flow.

The Future of Shortcut Domains

Right now, .new shortcuts feel like a secret club. Most people you meet — even in tech circles — have no idea they exist. But as the idea spreads, we might see more companies adopting them.

Imagine:

• task.new opening a fresh to-do list in Notion.
• track.new creating a new item in your project management tool.
• draft.new starting a tweet, blog post, or newsletter instantly.

We’re not far from a world where typing a single word into your browser is how you start everything online.

The Web Can Feel Magical Again

The internet has gotten bloated with ads, tabs, and endless clicks. But every now and then, something reminds us of its original promise: speed, simplicity, and possibility. .new domains are one of those reminders.

They’re not just shortcuts: they’re a glimpse at what the web could be if more of it worked this way. Clean. Direct. Useful.

So the next time you need a new doc, sheet, or design, skip the menus and type the magic words instead. Welcome to the secret world of .new.