Why .ai Domains Are All the Rage Now

One top-level domain (TLD) has been an undisputed giant in terms of recognition and overall registrations for years – .com. New website owners have been practically obsessed with securing a .com domain, viewing it as a symbol of trust, legitimacy, and wide-reaching appeal on the internet. But in recent years, one thing has become increasingly clear – there’s a new sheriff in town.

The .ai domain.

From May 2022 to May 2023 alone, name registrations for this domain increased by 156%. During the same period, the .com domain saw a “measly” 27% increase. But why? How has a relatively new domain – and one for a country with not even 15,000 residents, no less – managed to overtake the reigning market leader? Keep reading to find out.

What Is the .ai Domain?

You probably already know that “AI” stands for “artificial intelligence.” So, a mention of a country associated with this domain might seem confusing at first. But the .ai domain is indeed a country code top-level domain or ccTLD for short.

The country in question is the tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla, which lays claims to this domain due to a happy coincidence of letters. But the .ai domain is not just another ccTLD. These two simple letters have become a powerful symbol in their own right, a hot commodity that has little to do with the charming Caribbean gem.

Why Have .ai Domains Exploded in Popularity?

If you guessed the surge in the popularity of .ai domains is closely tied to the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, you guessed right. Though this technology has been around for decades, in one form or another, the 2020s is when AI truly began to capture global attention. To understand just how much, all you need to know is that the domain name “expert.ai” was sold for a record-breaking $108,000 in 2020.

The reason behind this frenzy is simple – AI has become a central focus of innovation and investment. As a result, businesses and individuals alike are eager to showcase their involvement in this cutting-edge field. And what better way to do this than by securing your own digital badge of honor – a .ai domain?

And if you think only startups are jumping on the .ai bandwagon, think again. Established tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft – and even non-tech companies – are also snapping up .ai domains to align themselves with the future of technology. Google has even been doing this for years – a practice known as defensive registration. That’s why it shouldn’t be surprising the digital innovation powerhouse has been buying .ai domains left and right, from googlestreetview.ai to googlesearchpage.ai.

How to Register a .ai Domain

Given the elite company that is now associated with .ai domains, you might think that securing one for yourself will be nothing short of a Herculean task. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, there are no special rules or requirements for registering a .ai domain. Yes, you’ve read that correctly! Virtually anyone can claim this coveted domain (as long as they agree to hold on to it for at least two years).

Now, if you know anything about ccTLDs, you’ll be aware that this is an exception, not a rule. Take Brazil as an example. To register a .br domain name, you must be from the country, live there, or have a business there. Otherwise, you’ll need to hire a trustee service to manage the registration for you.

But a .ai domain name doesn’t require you to jump through any hoops. You don’t have to live in Anguilla, establish a business there, or meet any other residency requirements. The only things you need to do is:

1 – Find a reliable service provider.

2 – Check the availability of your desired domain name.

3 – Complete the registration process.

It’s as if you’ve asked an AI-powered chatbot for help – simple, straightforward, and efficient.

The only restriction – if you can call it that – is that your website mustn’t be used for illegal activities. But that’s pretty much standard practice for any domain.

AI-m for Success

By now, it’s clear that a .ai domain name is a highly valuable asset for any company or individual. It’s short, memorable, and easy to type. More importantly, it places you right at the forefront of the AI revolution. However, the high demand for .ai domains also means two things – limited availability and higher registration costs. In other words, there’s no time to waste. Grab your .ai domain now to secure your place in this AI revolution.