7 Trends to Watch Out for in the Domain Industry

Domains are still a purposeful part of the internet to this day. As of the first quarter of 2023 alone, there were reportedly 354 million domain name registrations across all top-level domains (TLDs). Moreover, registrations have been increasing by 1% year over year.  

Of course, with how much tech and habits have changed, the best practices also shift over time. Whether you are starting a business and need to establish an online presence or you work in the trade of domain flipping, you will want to watch out for some of the most interesting trends that are likely to take the industry by storm in the coming year.  

#1 – Artificial Intelligence for Domain Creation

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been blowing up and continues to become more sophisticated. As such, many tools built for domain creation have integrated these capabilities. Those looking to find a good domain can now use a business name generator that makes use of a learning algorithm to deduce potential names relevant to user-generated keywords. Moreover, it keeps an updated database of what names are available and learns the best practices for domain naming conventions.   

Though primarily built for creating business names, this tool automatically links to domains with the same name and offers different TLD filtering options. The convenience of AI will likely streamline the domain naming and registration process for many individuals, with increased adoption sure to come.   

#2 – Voice-Optimized Domains

Voice-activated assistants and search functionality is not a new technology at this point, but it has advanced significantly. Because of the greater understanding of commands and nuances in human language, voice searches will continue to grow in popularity. It’s just more convenient for many users compared to typing out your whole query.  

As such, domains will also trend toward names or sounds that will be easily understood by voice assistants. It all comes down to how recognizable the words used are and how easy they are to pronounce. It’s the same principle that drives SEO tactics in 2023.   

#3 – More Non-Traditional Domain Adoption

Although dot com still rises above and beyond the rest as the top domain, we also see less traditional domains taking centre stage. People are not as strictly bothered by extensions, so businesses have leeway to get more creative with their domains. You can often see many agencies sporting select keywords as the actual extensions.  

Geographic TLDs (geoTLDs) also have more prominence across the globe. Given how much algorithms cater to each user’s unique footprint, it’s become more important than ever for businesses to resonate with their target audience. It’s not just about messaging, but literally about directing relevant traffic their way.  

#4 – Stricter Measures Against Domain Impersonation

Unfortunately, cybercrime is rampant and will only continue to increase in severity and frequency. In 2020, there was already a 400 per cent increase in domain impersonation attacks. During and after the pandemic, cybercriminals have only become bolder with greater tools a their disposal.  

Thankfully, many security measures are accessible now to prevent or at least recover from such an attack. Expect to see more precise guidelines and robust security measures from the moment you register domains in the future in response to this. This trend won’t necessarily make it harder to get your domain in the first place, so it’s just an added benefit that protects both domain owners and their potential visitors.  

#5 – Brand Integration in Domain Extensions

Brands aren’t strictly being creative by related keywords alone. Although there is also a rise in popularity for including services and locations, the trend is leaning toward integrating blatant branding in the domain extension. This helps with brand recall and stands out compared to other competitors.  

Businesses with more than one word in their name will most potentially benefit from it. That said, it’s also great for would-be brand names that end up dividing the syllables of their name into the different halves of the domain.  

#6 – More ccTLD Dominance

The use of country code TLDs (ccTLDs) is, again, a well-established practice in the industry. That said, many domain extensions have since gone beyond their original use. It’s not necessarily representative of where the user resides.  

At this point, ccTLDs are a great way to bank on established marketplaces and demographics. Just look at the rise in .ru and.io extensions for different industry websites that have nothing to do with location. In both its use cases, ccTLDs will start dominating the scene more.  

#7 – A Resurgence in Domain Flipping

Though not quite as lucrative as it once was, domain flipping is seeing a marked return to form. This comes with the growth of new players in the domain registration market and more marketplaces set to launch in the coming year. Many individuals will lean toward this as their side hustle, and those looking to secure a domain will contribute to the continued growth of the community. 

Domains, in general, may not fetch the same price they once did in the domain adoption boom of the 2000s. That said, this shouldn’t stop users from getting potentially lucrative names for selling the domain. It’s especially profitable if you spend time seeking out the most promising industries and names. If you look at the most expensive domains still active today, CarInsurance.com fetches the jaw-dropping auction price of $49.7 million.

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