WEST PALM BEACH, FL - For more than two decades, the domain-name market has largely moved in step with Google’s search systems. Investors based valuations on keyword demand, search volume, and the longstanding assumption that visibility in Google ultimately dictated what made a digital asset valuable. But the rapid rise of AI-driven “answer engines” - including ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, Claude (just saw first referral from it today), and others is creating a new reality. … [Read more...]
Domains, Not Hype: Insights from Andrew Rosener’s Conversation on Miss Understood
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - This week I took some time to watch an episode of Miss Understood hosted by Rachel Uchitel featuring Andrew Rosener, founder and CEO of MediaOptions, one of the best-known domain brokerages in the world. While I’ve been in this business for a long time, I thought the conversation offered a lot of good perspective — especially for people who may be newer to the industry or still wrapping their heads around digital asset value. The episode was titled … [Read more...]
From Domains to Handles: X.com Creates New Marketplace for Digital Identity
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - In a major policy shift that blurs the line between domain names and social-media identities, X (formerly Twitter) has officially launched a Handle Marketplace, allowing paid subscribers to purchase usernames from a pool of inactive accounts. The new feature, available to X Premium and Premium Plus subscribers, transforms social handles into a monetized form of digital real estate — something long familiar to domain investors. The marketplace opens … [Read more...]
.HipHop Launches Equity Crowdfunding Campaign In “Testing the Waters” Phase
POMPANO BEACH, FL - Dot Hip Hop, LLC - the registry operator for the .hiphop top-level domain - has announced plans to raise capital through an equity crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. The initiative, currently in the “Testing the Waters” phase allowed under U.S. securities law, is designed to measure investor interest before the company formally files its required Form C disclosure and begins accepting funds. .hiphop was first delegated in 2014 as part of ICANN’s new … [Read more...]
Great Brand, Even Greater Domain: The Power of Owning Tommy.com
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Tommy Hilfiger is a global fashion icon - or how they describe themselves, "a leading global corporation" known for bold styles, timeless designs, and worldwide influence. But beyond the clothing racks and runway shows, the company also holds one of the cleanest, most powerful digital assets a brand can own: Tommy.com. In the world of domain names, this isn’t good branding - it’s the ultimate branding. Having a single, memorable, and perfectly aligned … [Read more...]
Master of My Domain: The Power of the Publisher – Reality of Digital Journalism
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - There’s a power that comes with publishing that most people will never fully understand - unless they’ve had the experience of pushing the button and watching their words go live, not just on a website, but across a syndicated global news network. It’s a level of reach that turns an article into influence, a headline into a public perception, and a thought into a movement. I’ve experienced that firsthand. And I believe it’s time we start talking more … [Read more...]
Bluehost & HostGator Expired Domains to be Auctioned on NameJet, SnapNames
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - In a notable development within the domain name aftermarket industry, NameJet has announced that expired domain names from two major hosting providers - Bluehost.com and HostGator.com - will now be auctioned exclusively on its platform and that of its sister site, SnapNames. This move expands NameJet’s reach in the expired domain space by adding even more high-volume inventory from some of the internet's largest hosting brands. Bluehost and HostGator, … [Read more...]
Hypothetically: Inflated Domain Name Valuations Driven by AI Tools
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – I recently tested a domain name valuation tool powered by artificial intelligence, and I was struck by how inflated the appraisals were. The estimated values seemed wildly generous—far beyond what the current market would realistically support. It reminded me of a time, 10 to 15 years ago, when domains were often priced based on hypothetical potential rather than actual sales data or revenue performance. It seems like the prices are based more on … [Read more...]
Success Stories: Entrepreneurs Who Scored Big With the Right .Com Domain Name
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - In today’s fast-growing and highly competitive digital landscape, a domain name is far more than just a web address—it’s a critical asset that shapes brand identity, builds trust, and often serves as the first impression customers have of a business. A strong domain name can enhance marketing efforts, drive organic search traffic, improve click-through rates, and establish long-term brand authority. With millions of websites launched every year, the … [Read more...]
Global Domain Name Industry Poised for Growth: Insights from Data Industry Leaders
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - The domain name industry is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating a continued upward trajectory. According to the recently released Domain Names – Global Strategic Business Report 2025 by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global market for domain names was estimated at 378.6 million registered domains in 2024 and is projected to reach 459.9 million by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% . Regional Growth and … [Read more...]
The Evolving Landscape of Search, SEO, AI and the Role of Domains
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - I’ve been in this industry for nearly 25 years. When I first started, most people hadn’t even heard of Google. Today, Google is the single most influential factor in whether a business thrives or dies. That’s been true for over a decade—and it’s becoming even more critical. Years ago, Google set out to build the best business directory in the world, and they’ve succeeded. Google Maps and local listings now serve as the most powerful lead generators … [Read more...]
2025 Digital Real Estate Surge: High-Value Domains Prove Worth With More Big Sales
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - The domain industry is experiencing a surge in high-value transactions, as highlighted in DN Journal's latest report titled "Sizzling Domain Sales Continue to Light Up The Charts With 8-Figure Blockbuster Leading the Way." April 2025 has proven to be a landmark month, with several significant sales reshaping the domain landscape. Among the notable transactions, Icon.com was acquired for $12 million, marking it as the sixth-largest publicly reported … [Read more...]
“A Domain Name Is Born” But Never Grew Up; Reserved at Birth, Forgotten by Time
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Nearly two decades ago, my local newspaper at the time, Newsday, ran a front-page story in its Money & Careers section titled “A Domain Name Is Born.” The article spotlighted a fascinating emerging trend: forward-thinking parents reserving web addresses for their newborns - sometimes before the child was even born. I snapped a photo of the front cover back in 2007, struck by how the digital world was starting to influence even baby names. I grabbed … [Read more...]
Growth Of New Generic Top-Level Domains Impacting Traditional .COM and .NET
PALM BEACH, FL - The growth of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) is reshaping the domain name industry, introducing a wave of innovation and diversification that challenges the long-standing dominance of traditional gTLDs like .COM and .NET. This transformation is not just technical but represents a fundamental shift in how businesses and individuals approach their digital identities. Expansion of the Domain Name System The introduction of new gTLDs stems from … [Read more...]
GoDaddy Consumer Survey Says “Your Domain Name Still Matters in 2025”
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - In the age of AI, social media, and voice search, you might think domain names have taken a back seat. But GoDaddy’s latest Consumer Pulse survey proves otherwise - and it’s a wake-up call for any business that wants to be taken seriously online. To celebrate the 40th birthday of the domain name, GoDaddy surveyed 1,500 U.S. consumers in March 2025 and uncovered what modern shoppers think about domains. Spoiler alert: your spelling, length, and even … [Read more...]