What Jeff Gabriel’s DNJournal Interview Tells Us About Today’s Domain Market

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Saw.com Founder and CEO Jeffrey Gabriel’s recent interview with Domain Name Journal is not just another industry status update. Read closely, it is a window into how fundamentally the domain market has changed, why it is still strong, and why success today looks very different than it did a decade ago. The core theme running through his comments is simple: the market has matured. Hype has given way to discipline, and potential has given way to profitability.

Below are the key takeaways, framed both through Gabriel’s observations and what they mean in the broader context of how digital assets are bought and sold today.

.COM Still Rules, But .AI Is a Real Trend

Gabriel is clear that one-word .COM domains remain the most sought-after assets in the market. They consistently attract offers and continue to command the largest sales. In that sense, the foundation of the industry has not changed.

At the same time, .AI has emerged as a serious contender in certain situations. Gabriel notes that some buyers now prefer a .AI domain even when it costs more than the equivalent .COM. That is not something to dismiss lightly.

However, he does not characterize this as a permanent shift. Instead, he describes it as a trend driven by the current wave of artificial intelligence adoption. If AI eventually becomes just another standard business tool, rather than a differentiator, the special premium placed on .AI domains could diminish.

What this really means:
The market still values long-term, foundational assets, but buyers are willing to experiment when it aligns with their brand and strategy. Smart investors need to understand both sides.

The Market Is Healthy, But Buyers Are Far More Disciplined

One of the most revealing parts of Gabriel’s commentary is his description of today’s buyer compared to years past. During the era of cheap capital and aggressive venture funding, many buyers stretched their budgets to secure “the perfect name.” Domains were often justified on future potential, brand vision, or sheer momentum. That era is largely over.

Gabriel explains that buyers today are far more focused on:

• Return on investment
• Profitability
• Board expectations
• Clear financial justification

If a price does not make sense on paper, buyers are now comfortable walking away. They may switch extensions, downgrade their ambitions, or simply decide not to buy at all.

What this really means:
The ceiling has come down. Domains are no longer sold on dream scenarios or hypothetical futures. They are sold like any other serious business investment.

This mirrors what has played out across the broader digital marketplace, including website sales and online brands. Ten years ago, many deals were closed on growth potential alone, something those of us in the space witnessed firsthand. Today, cash flow and measurable ROI dominate decision-making.

Sellers Still Have to Adjust to This New Reality

Gabriel highlights a real tension in the market. Many domain owners have enjoyed years of rising prices and strong demand, so expectations remain high. Some sellers still assume values should keep climbing simply because they did before. Meanwhile, buyers have become more conservative and financially rational.

That gap makes negotiations harder. Deals are not failing because demand is weak. They are failing because buyers and sellers are often operating from two different worlds.

Translation: sellers who cling to 2016-era pricing psychology may struggle in 2026. The market is still there, but it rewards realism, not wishful thinking.

Data and Education Matter More Than Ever

One of Gabriel’s key points is that Saw.com is leaning into education rather than hype. They are giving sellers more data, more context, and more transparency so they can price intelligently rather than emotionally. On the buyer side, they are helping companies understand value without overpaying.

That is exactly where the market is now. Gut instincts and “vibes” are not enough anymore. Owning great domains is no longer enough. Knowing how to value them, market them, and negotiate them is what wins today.

The Big Picture

If you step back, the core message of Gabriel’s interview is clear. The domain market is still very much alive. Major deals are still happening. High-value assets are still trading. But the environment has changed.

We are no longer in a world where buyers chase names at any cost, or where sellers can assume values will rise indefinitely; the fantasy era is over. Everything is judged through the lens of ROI, budgets, and business reality. That is not a bad thing. It is a sign of a more mature, sustainable market that just makes more sence to everyone.