AI is having an impact on domainers (1.Viewing)

We need to be very of the .AI extension and if you get get some premium drops that will start next month.

Key Trends and Insights​

• Rising AI Adoption: As of early 2025, approximately 52% of U.S. Adults report using large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or Copilot . This widespread adoption indicates a significant integration of AI tools into daily routines.Elon University
• Impact on Search Behavior: A survey by Evercore revealed that 8% of respondents now use ChatGPT as their primary search engine, up from 1% in June of the previous year. Conversely, Google's user base decreased from 80% to 74% in the same period . This suggests a growing preference for AI-driven search solutions among certain user segments.Barron's
• Many new companies are choosing to register a .AI domain right from the start—and the $144 price for two years isn’t a concern for them. It’s mainly domain investors who care about the cost.

How .AI Is Hurting .COM and .CA Domain Sales​

• AI Replacing Traditional Search: 52% of U.S. adults now use AI tools like ChatGPT, with 8% making it their primary search engine—contributing to a drop in Google usage from 80% to 74%.
• Shift in Buyer Behavior: Many startups now register a .AI domain from the start. The higher price ($144 for 2 years) doesn’t deter them—only domain investors care.
• Surging .AI Demand: Registrations grew from 144K in 2022 to 533K in 2024, with some domains selling for millions (e.g., voice.ai for $30M).
• Outperforming Other TLDs: In 2024, .AI led in average sales price and revenue per domain—surpassing .COM and .IO.
• .COM Decline: .COM’s market share fell from 78.5% to 73.7% by mid-2024.
• .CA Flat Despite Growth: .CA saw a sales volume increase, but its market share remains low.
• Better Availability: .AI domains offer more brandable options, especially for tech-focused businesses.
• Equal SEO Value: Google treats .AI like any generic TLD—no SEO disadvantage vs. .COM.

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.ai registration prices are ridiculous - they designed it to keep domainers out and maximize the amount the registry earns!!

.ai probably has more time ahead with good sales until AI becomes normalized to the point we don’t need to say it anymore. I’d think the only ones choosing .ai now are companies using some form of AI. The high reg fees kept me from ever getting any.

AI is the biggest thing to hit, that is exactly why the extension has a limited shelf life. Make the money now because when everything is AI then saying the word AI becomes irrelevant. Nobody will discuss AI because it's everywhere and a daily norm.

I have said this as long as I can remember and I have never been wrong, I remember all the VR, Meta, NFT, and all the other garbage where I told people again and again there was a limited shelf life.

It's not that AI is not a huge extension, it's just that it will become irrelevant, you will eventually not see terms like "ask our AI assistant" the term will eventually be "Ask our assistant" because the term AI will become obsolete.

Read here where some big names agree with that position.
Anguilla fears the .ai junk drop