What to Keep in Mind When Buying .ai Domains
As everyone is talking about artificial intelligence (AI) these days, the .ai domain extension has become one of the most popular choices for startups, developers, and companies operating in the AI field.
Technically, the .ai domain extension is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) of Anguilla, but it has gained greater popularity globally because it has such an apparent association with artificial intelligence.
If you’re thinking of buying a .ai domain for your business or project, here are the most important things to keep in mind:
1. It’s a Country Code TLD, But Open for Global Use
Although .ai is the ccTLD of Anguilla by technical definition, it is available to anyone in the world. In other words, you don’t need to be in Anguilla to buy or use a .ai domain name.
Nevertheless, as it’s still a ccTLD, there might be some legal or administrative nuances different from the generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .com or .net. The use of a .ai domain must be in compliance with the laws of Anguilla.
2. Higher Cost Than Generic TLDs
Registration and renewal prices of .ai are significantly higher than other generic TLDs. The cost can range from $70 to over $150 per year, based on the registrar.
Tip: Consider the long-term cost of domain renewal. There are multi-year discounts or one-year promotions offered by some registrars, so check and compare renewal fees at different places.
3. Minimum Two-Year Registration
The .ai registry’s minimum two-year registration term is unlike the overwhelming majority of TLDs that allow single-year registrations.
So budget accordingly and expect to pay two years in advance for registration and renewal.
4. Premium Domains Are Hot
Due to the explosive growth of AI-focused startups, many short, catchy .ai names are either taken or available for premium prices. If you want something like a one-word .ai domain, be prepared to pay at least thousands of dollars.
Tip: Search marketplaces like Sedo, GoDaddy or Spaceship for premium .ai domains on sale. Be ready to negotiate.
5. Check for Trademark Conflicts
Just like in other industries, a .ai domain registration does not give you rights to a brand name. If your domain name infringes on a trademark, you can lose the domain to the trademark owner even though it was available to legally register.
Tip: Conduct a quick trademark search (e.g., on USPTO.gov for U.S. trademarks) before you buy any .ai domain.
6. SEO and Branding Considerations
While .ai domains are great for branding, they are still less common than .com domains. Google treats all TLDs the same for SEO purposes, but some users may still instinctively type .com instead of .ai.
Tip: Secure the matching .com domain if possible, then you can redirect it to your .ai domain to avoid traffic loss.
7. Resale and Investment Potential
Some investors are buying .ai domains purely for resale. As demand increases, so does potential value, especially for short, generic, or highly brandable names.
Tip: If you’re buying for investment, research recent sales on sites like NameBio or DNJournal to understand what types of .ai domains are in demand.
8. Future-Proofing
Choosing a .ai domain really ties your company to artificial intelligence. That is great if you’re already in the AI business, but it could limit your branding possibilities if your company changes direction in the future.
Tip: Make sure the .ai domain name fits your long-term branding and growth strategy.
Where to Buy a .ai Domain?
GoDaddy is one of the most popular places to buy .ai domains, but it’s a little expensive. Some alternative registrars that offer cheaper .ai domains are Namecheap, Cloudflare, and Dynadot.
You get free WHOIS privacy with .ai domains at GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Dynadot. Cloudflare offers WHOIS redaction, which keeps most of your personal data private except for the country and state.
If you are looking for premium .ai domains, you can search marketplaces like Sedo or Atom. Make sure to always research the domain’s history and check for trademark conflicts before you place a bid for any .ai domain. You can’t get a refund for premium domain purchases, so only proceed when you are 100% sure you’ve found the right domain name.
Final Thoughts
Buying a .ai domain can be a major decision if you are operating in or around the artificial intelligence industry. However, with a higher cost and potential legal pitfalls, it’s important to do your due diligence carefully before you waste any money on an expensive .ai domain name.
