The global domain name market continued to grow in early 2026. Total domain registrations exceed 375 million across all TLDs.
Growth is driven by the expansion of new technologies and greater online digital adoption.
The Spaceship domain checker shows high search volumes for AI and tech-related domain keyword combinations.
Record increases in AI-related domain keyword searches exceed 400% over the last three years.
Short domains under 10 characters are statistically more memorable.
Over 46% of small businesses report increased credibility when using a custom branded domain.
Popular Domain Extensions in 2026
.com remains the most registered top-level domain in 2026.
Over 160 million .com domains exist globally.
New generic TLDs (ngTLDs) show double-digit growth in registrations.
New gTLD growth is driven by industry-specific use cases and branding needs.
Extensions like .ai, .tech, and .app are among the frequently registered in early 2026.
Domains such as .live, .world, and .digital also rank within trending domain categories.
Country code TLDs (ccTLDs) maintain strong demand for regional branding.
Regional domains are used to signal local audience targeting.
Growth of New Generic TLDs (ngTLDs)
New gTLDs continue rapid acceptance in 2026.
Businesses choose new extensions to communicate industry focus immediately.
A planned ICANN new gTLD application round is set for April 2026.
The next cycle may introduce additional domain extensions beyond current names.
Emerging industry-specific extensions such as .fintech, .pay, and .wellness are proposed for future use.
Domain brokers anticipate these TLDs creating new market segments for 2026 and beyond.
SEO and Keyword Demand Trends
Keyword-rich domains show increased search and investment interest.
Market analysis reports AI-related keywords like “vision”, “model”, and “automation” show rising value.
Domains containing keywords tied to emerging technologies often achieve higher aftermarket prices.
Premium keyword domains in extensions like .io and .ai show stronger price performance than legacy alternatives.
Domains with clear keyword focus improve memorability relative to long or generic names.
Shorter, keyword-focused names show correlation with direct traffic over generic domain names.
Local and Geo-Targeted Domains
Country code domains like .in and .by remain relevant for regional markets.
Local domains support regional SEO and legal requirements in many countries.
Regional extensions provide trust signals for country-specific users.
Many small businesses use ccTLDs to reinforce local brand identity.
Security and Brand Protection Domains
Cybersecurity concerns influence domain naming strategies. Security-oriented domain practices help prevent domain hijacking.
Investments in multiple domain extensions protect brand assets. Defensive domain registration is rising with domain portfolio management.
Alternative extensions are often registered as defensive assets. Defensive strategies help brands avoid misrepresentation by third parties.
