Artificial intelligence is all the rage now, and domain names haven’t been left out of this boom. Demand for “.AI” domains has become higher than ever, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Are you considering getting a .AI domain? Let’s dive into the history of this domain extension and the reasons to choose it.
What Is a .AI Domain?
.AI is currently one of the most popular top-level domains (TLDs). This country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) was introduced in 1995 for Anguilla, a self-governing territory of the United Kingdom. Initially meant for businesses operating in Anguilla, it has since become synonymous with artificial intelligence and is widely used by companies in this industry.
The AI and IO TLDs are very popular with technology companies. IO is used for general startups and tech companies, while AI is used for companies particularly involved with artificial intelligence.
IO is the ccTLD for the British Indian Ocean Territory, and AI is for Anguilla. A fun fact is that these territories generate millions of dollars annually from their TLD royalties. The tiny island of Anguilla now makes over $30 million annually from the AI domain or about $2,000 per inhabitant, helping boost government expenditure.
Reasons To Use a .AI Domain
You Have An AI-Related Website
An AI domain is a smart choice for organizations involved in artificial intelligence. This TLD signals to any customer that your organization is in the AI field and confers valuable brand recognition. It’s like having a corporate address on an exclusive street known for housing the cream-of-the-crop firms.
Better Availability (Than a .COM)
The most popular TLD globally is .COM. But, it feels like all the valuable .COM domains have been taken, and you might need to spend thousands of dollars acquiring the one you want. However, you can simply use .AI as an alternative if a .COM isn’t available for your business name.
The AI TLD hasn’t been saturated like others, so it provides more opportunities to find the perfect domain for your technology organization.
Marketing Advantage
AI domains aren’t very common. Thus, they can set your company apart and attract better online visibility and traffic. An AI domain is a simple way to make your company stand out in the intensely competitive technology sector.
Why Not To Use A .AI Domain
.COMs are More Popular
.COMs remain the most popular TLD with which most people are familiar. When someone thinks of any brand but doesn’t know its domain, they’ll likely try the .COM first before checking other TLDs. In that case, a .COM domain makes it easier for customers to find your business online.
They Are Expensive
.AI domains are significantly more expensive than most popular TLDs. You must register the domain for at least 2 years at a time, and the annual cost usually exceeds $70. Expect to pay at least $140 for a 2-year .AI domain compared to $50 and upwards for .COM, .NET, .ORG, and other popular TLDs.
AI domains are regulated at the wholesale level, making them more expensive than other domains. Because they are country-code domains, registrars pay royalties and pass on the costs to buyers.
It’s a Limiting TLD
A .AI domain is synonymous with artificial intelligence or at least something technology-related. Everyone visiting a .AI domain expects to see a website related to AI and similar topics like robotics, autonomous driving, and machine learning. This TLD is unsuitable for any business not in the AI niche, or you’ll confuse your website visitors.
Top .AI Domains So Far
The average .AI domain hovers at $140 and upwards, but some domains have sold for a much higher price. Existing .AI domains with common prefixes command substantial value, as seen in the below examples:
- In 2023, You.ai sold for $700,000 on Sedo, a popular domain name marketplace. It was acquired by Dharmesh Shah, co-founder of billion-dollar tech company HubSpot. This sale is the highest on record.
- Stack.ai reportedly sold for $258,888 on Afternic, a prominent domain name marketplace.
According to NameBio, a well-known domain sales history checker:
- NPC.ai was acquired for $250,000 in August 2023
- Service.ai sold for $127,500 in July 2023.
- Agents.ai sold for $125,000 in July 2023.
- Expert.ai sold for $107,495 in June 2020.
- Arena.ai sold for $65,098 in September 2022.
The market for buying AI domains has boomed. As of April 2024, over 425,000 AI domains were registered globally, compared to 138,000 two years earlier. According to information in the WHOIS database, 72,000 AI domains were registered from January to April 2024 alone.
Roughly 20,000 domains are being registered monthly, and the frenzy isn’t slowing. Expect more .AI registrations as the artificial intelligence sector grows and amasses more capital.
How To Buy a .AI Domain Name
You have two options for buying AI domains: a registrar or a broker.
Registrar
Domain registrars allow you to search for and register AI domain names easily. If your desired domain is available, you can immediately pay for it and claim ownership. Examples of domain registrars include Namecheap, Hover, Dynadot, Domain.com, and Spaceship.
You can view the list of accredited domain registrars published by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the agency that regulates domain names. Any registrar not on this list isn’t legitimate.
To illustrate, let’s head to NameCheap and search for “NameExperts.AI”. Namecheap showed us that this domain is available for $79.98 annually, with a minimum 2-year registration. If interested, we could add the domain to the cart and purchase it.
Broker
You might search for a domain name on a registrar and see that it isn’t available, i.e., someone else has taken it. If you really want the domain, look up the WHOIS database to find the owner’s contact information and make an offer. This public database contains the information ICANN collects when someone registers a domain name.
For example, a query for “Dynatrace.com” on the Who.IS lookup tool gives the contact information in the below image. If you want to acquire the domain, you can use the contact information to pitch your offer to the owner. But, it’s advisable to use a broker experienced in facilitating domain name sales. Domain brokers help you negotiate a fair value and handle the difficult aspects of buying a domain.
Many domain owners use a privacy protection service to hide their contact information, as illustrated in the image below. When we searched the WHOIS database for “Dynatrace.ai,” almost everything was “REDACTED FOR PRIVACY.”
A broker’s services also come in handy in the above situation. Brokers can check other sources to help you find the owner of a domain: corporate registration records, regulatory filings, real estate records, tax records, and government databases. After finding the owner, they can make an acquisition offer on your behalf, helping you snag a valuable .AI domain for a fair price.
NameExperts offers top-notch brokerage services to help you acquire .AI domains. We appraise domains accurately and help you negotiate a fair price. We take care of the challenging aspects of buying AI domains, and you simply take delivery. Contact us today to see how we can help you buy the .AI domain names you desire.
