25 Domain name statistics and trends to know in 2025

Domain names are the foundation of digital presence, the growth of which shows no signs of slowing down. As reported by Domain Name Industry Brief, global domain registrations reached 368 million as of early 2025, underscoring how common and essential owning one or more domains has become for individuals, businesses, and brands.

But beyond the rising numbers lies a deeper story – one shaped by user behavior, shifting trust patterns, and evolving branding strategies. From the enduring dominance of .com to the rise of creative new TLDs like .shop and .app, the domain name landscape is changing in both scale and significance.

This article explores the most up-to-date insights into recent domain trends, what they reveal about online credibility, and how choosing the right domain name can help to shape your digital success.

Top domain name statistics for 2025

Here are ten key domain name statistics from our findings that reflect the current landscape of digital identity and branding:

1. The early days of the internet began with only six generic top-level domains (gTLDs), a far simpler system compared to today’s diverse domain space.
2. Domain registrations reached 368.4 million as of early 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of the digital space.
3. The classic .com domain remains the most popular extension, with a total of 157.2 million registrations.
4. There are more than 1,200 new generic top-level domains in the world today.
5. New generic TLDs posted a 13.5% year-over-year increase, outpacing many legacy TLDs in adoption.
6. China’s .cn leads the pack among country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), with 21 million total registrations, making it the most-used ccTLD worldwide.
7. A notable surge in domain name disputes has become a wake-up call for businesses, emphasizing the importance of protecting brand identity online.
8. Among all domain extensions, .com still commands the highest level of trust and global recognition from users.
9. The aftermarket domain name industry is projected to reach $1.17 billion by 2033, as digital branding and domain investing gain momentum.
10. In 2025, icon.com sold for a staggering $12 million, making it the most expensive domain of the year and a prime example of the value of premium domain names.

How many domain names are there globally?

Cited from Domain Name Industry Brief, there are now over 368 million registered domain names worldwide (as of March 2025). While this figure highlights the current scale of the domain landscape, it’s equally important to look back and see how we got here.

1. Where it all began: The early internet era started with just six generic top-level domains

Back in 1984, internet pioneers Jon Postel and Joyce Reynolds proposed the very first set of top-level domains (TLDs). These included .arpa (in reference to ARPANET, the internet’s early backbone), .gov (government), .edu (education), .com (commercial), .mil (military), and .org (organizational).

Alongside these, they also introduced TLDs for countries with two-letter codes according to the ISO-3166-1, laying the groundwork for what we now call country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs).

By January 1985, these original TLDs were officially added to the root zone, with one addition: .net. While some domain extensions were created for more restricted purposes, .com, .net, and .org were made publicly available, paving the way for a global domain naming system that has continued to expand to this day.

2. The total of registered domain names surpassed the first 100 million in 2006

Several trends contributed to a surge in the number of domain names, including the rise of privacy-protected registrations, professional domain dealers, automated tools for snatching expired domains, and domain trial periods.

Combined with the rise of accredited registrars and the introduction of new gTLDs, these factors led to mass domain registrations – many of them anonymous and automated. At the same time, individuals and businesses began monetizing domains through parking, trading, and reselling.

According to a press release from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), by 2006, these domain holders made up a significant portion of the more than 100 million registered domain names.

3. Within the first three months of 2025, domain name registrations grew by approximately 2.2 million

Between January and March 2025, domain registrations increased from 366.2 million to 368.4 million, reflecting steady worldwide growth. At this scale, roughly one domain is registered for every 22 people worldwide, highlighting how domain names have become essential to digital identity and global communication.

4. Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) account for the majority share of all domain name registrations

Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) have long been at the forefront of the internet’s naming system, and they continue to make up the majority of all domain registrations worldwide. As of mid-2025, generic TLDs make up 61.2% of all domain names registered globally.

The most prominent among them are .com and .net, which together represent more than 46.1% of all domain names. Other popular gTLDs include .org, .info, and newer options like .xyz and .top, each appealing to different types of users and industries.

5. Total domain registrations see a 1.7% annual increase

The domain name industry entered 2025 with strong momentum. According to the Domain Name Industry Brief, the total number of registered domain names increased by 6.1 million, compared to the first quarter of the previous year, marking year-over-year growth of 1.7%.

This increasing number of domain name registrations signals continued interest in establishing a digital presence for multiple purposes, including personal branding, ecommerce, or business expansion.

6. The modern era: Over 1,200 new generic TLDs introduced

Today, there are more than 1,200 new generic top-level domains (ngTLDs), collectively accounting for approximately 38 million registered domain names.

Since ICANN launched its new gTLD program, users can request to register more creative domain extensions, including using familiar words, such as .app, .blog, or .shop. The program began accepting applications in January 2012 to expand the domain name space, encouraging greater competition, innovation, and consumer choice.

By allowing an unlimited number of new gTLDs to be added to the root zone, ICANN opened the door not only to unique branding opportunities but also to individuals and organizations applying for and operating their own gTLD registries.

Top domain extensions by usage in 2025: Which TLDs dominate today?

With over a thousand TLDs available to register today, some extensions have carved out a clear lead. According to data from Domain Name Industry Brief, these are the top five most common domain name extensions:

Domain	Type	Total registrations	Common use cases
.com	gTLD	157.2 million	Primarily used by commercial businesses, startups, and brands aiming for broad visibility
.cn	ccTLD	21 million	Represents China and is widely adopted by Chinese companies, government bodies, and local internet users
.de	ccTLD	17.6 million	Germany’s country-code domain, commonly used by German businesses, regional news outlets, and local services
.net	gTLD	12.6 million	Originally intended for network providers and infrastructure companies, is now a go-to alternative when .com isn’t available, especially for tech firms
.org	gTLD	11.1 million	Commonly used by nonprofit organizations, educational groups, and communities

Now that we have a general overview of all registered domains globally, let’s examine the insights beyond the reflected numbers in early 2025.

7. The classic .com and .net domains recorded 169.8 million registrations

Despite the rise of new TLDs, classic domains like .com and .net continue to lead the market. By the end of Q1 2025, they accounted for a combined total of 169.8 million registrations, with .com alone surpassing the 150 million mark. This total represents an increase of 800,000 registrations compared to the previous quarter.

However, it also reflects a decline of 2.6 million registrations compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, other legacy gTLDs (excluding .com and .net) experienced a 5% year-over-year increase, indicating that domain owners are starting to diversify their choices beyond the traditional giants.

8. New generic TLDs are growing the fastest, with a 13.5% jump year-over-year

New generic top-level domains recorded 37.8 million registrations, which marks a 13.5% increase over the previous year. This number represents approximately 4.5 million more domain names under ngTLDs compared to last year.

9. Country-code domains are on the rise, reaching 142.9 million registrations

Domains tied to specific countries are holding strong. As of Q1 2025, ccTLDs represented 142.9 million registrations – an increase of 2.1 million from the end of 2024.

Year over year, ccTLDs grew by 2.4%, showing that regional and localized web addresses remain a popular choice, especially for small businesses and country-specific branding.

10. With 21 million total registrations, .cn reigns as the most-used ccTLD

Among all ccTLDs, .cn, the official ccTLD of China, recorded 21 million registrations, which implies that it’s the most used worldwide. Other high-performing country codes, such as .de (Germany) and .uk (United Kingdom), closely follow .cn’s lead.

11. The ccTLD of France holds the highest domain renewal rate

Renewal rates vary across these domains, offering insights into how ccTLDs are actually used. Higher renewal percentages indicate that these domains are used for long-term purposes, such as by companies, institutions, or personal brands, rather than for speculative or short-term use.

According to the available data collected by Domain Name Industry Brief, .fr recorded a high renewal rate of 83.4%.

This trend explains why the top 10 ccTLDs (out of 316 country-code extensions in total) still make up 58.3% of all ccTLD registrations. They’re not just widely registered, but often consistently retained.

12. There are over 3,000 accredited domain registrars in 2025

A domain registrar is a company certified by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or a national registry to sell and manage domain names.

In simple words, registrars act as the intermediaries between individuals or businesses and the central domain name registry. They facilitate the domain registration process and offer tools to manage your domain, such as DNS configuration, domain forwarding, WHOIS privacy protection, and auto-renewal options.

So, buying a domain name actually means you’re leasing the rights to use that name for a set period through the registrar.

While there are over 3,000 accredited domain registrars operating globally, users have a wide range of options – from those focused on privacy or bulk management to web hosting companies that bundle domain services. Hostinger is an example of the latter, having handled over 1.2 million domain name registrations in Q1 2025.

Alongside Hostinger, as Gartner Peer Insights compiled, other major registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost.

How domain extensions influence credibility and customers’ perception of your brand

The consistent rise in domain registrations shows just how essential an online presence has become in recent days. But it’s not just about the numbers – people’s perceptions of domain names are also evolving.

All domain extensions work the same way technically, but they don’t all carry the same meaning or impact. Some extensions appear more trustworthy or professional to users, which can influence how they interact with your website and brand.

13. Consumers place importance on domains when engaging with brands online, especially men

A strong domain name does more than just anchor your website – it plays a critical role in how consumers perceive your brand. In a study by AtomRadar, 77% of consumers said a domain name is important or very important when evaluating a brand online.

The research reveals a gender-based insight: men are more likely than women to factor a domain name into their decision to engage with a brand.

These domain name statistics reinforce the idea that understanding how to choose a domain name is a vital step in building a brand’s online presence.

14. Most users prefer memorable, simple, and brandable domains

According to AtomRadar’s survey in September 2024, 47% of respondents answered memorability as a domain’s most important characteristic. This number reinforces the value of choosing a name that’s easy to spell, recall, and pronounce.

Other key factors that shape user perception are: short and simple (29%), reflecting the brand’s name or mission (28%), and unique or creative (25%). These insights show that it’s essential to align with users’ expectations and brand strategy when choosing a domain name.

15. Young adults put more weight on domain names that align with social media handles

Findings from AtomRadar reveal that 37% of respondents aged 18–34 consider it important for a brand’s domain name to match its social media handles, compared to just 12% in older age groups. This demonstrates how younger consumers, who are often digital natives, value consistency across platforms.

Notably, every respondent in this age group also agreed that a domain name is a considerable factor when deciding to engage with a brand online. So, if you’re targeting young adults, choosing your domain name goes beyond just availability – it’s also about building brand cohesion.

Take the time to ensure your desired name is available across major social platforms, check for existing trademarks, and aim for a clear, unified digital identity.

16. Among all TLDs, .com still leads the pack in trust and recognition

Citing AtomRadar’s survey results, 76% of people say that being familiar with a domain extension makes them more likely to trust the brand behind it. And .com leads the way as one of the first-ever TLDs, widely recognized and trusted by audiences across age groups and industries.

So, for most businesses, a .com domain still offers unmatched credibility and reach. If it’s available and aligns with your brand, it’s often the safest and smartest bet. As good alternatives, 81% of consumers are familiar with .org domains, and 51% with .co. Only 25% recognize newer extensions, but do note that these figures don’t reflect the broader public’s recognition rates.

17. Country code TLDs win local audiences

When choosing a domain extension, perception matters just as much as availability. Country code TLDs signal strong local relevance and trust, making them ideal for regionally focused brands. In fact, 78% of UK consumers view .co.uk domains as more credible than .com alternatives for companies.

However, this local advantage may not translate globally. In the US, 82% of respondents trust .com domains over the ccTLD of the UK for a company website, indicating a potential credibility gap when targeting international markets.

So, for businesses with global ambitions, the universal recognition of .com often outweighs the local trust earned by ccTLDs.

18. Domains you don’t own could be undermining your brand

Domain extensions don’t just shape how customers view your brand – they also expose what you can’t control. Many third-party domains that mimic or include brand names are being used in ways that can undermine trust.

CSC’s 2024-2025 Domain Security Report showed that 48% of third-party registered domains are repurposed for pay-per-click ads, domain parking, or other forms of advertising. None of these serve the original brand, often resulting in a poor user experience.

Another 33% lead to inactive or broken websites, which can confuse visitors or suggest the brand is no longer active. Even more concerning, 17% of domains are live and active but have no official connection to the brand, while 2% host malicious content – a small but potentially damaging risk that could erode customer confidence or even lead to security breaches.

19. The banking industry faces the most fake domain threats

Cybercriminals often create lookalike or deceptive domains to mimic legitimate websites, tricking users into revealing sensitive information or clicking harmful links. These attacks not only put consumers at risk but also damage trust in the genuine brand.

CSC reported that the banking sector is the most targeted industry for fake domain threats, with a 19.9% rate. Following that, diversified financials (7.2%) and IT software and services (7.2%) are the next two industries in the top five list with the highest risks from the financial sector. The other two industries in the top five list prone to fake domain threats are construction (6.4%) and insurance (6.3%).

Domain name trends: shaping the future of the web

The domain name industry is dynamic and constantly evolving, driven by changes in technology, branding strategies, and cybersecurity needs. As businesses compete for visibility online, domain name trends are emerging that shape how we claim, protect, and optimize digital identities.

From the adoption of new gTLDs to a stronger focus on security and brand alignment, these trends are influencing the future of web building and navigation.

20. Domain name trends: Registrations expected to grow 3.3% annually through 2030

As businesses and individuals continue to carve out their digital presence, the global domain name market is on a clear growth trajectory, projected to swell to 459.9 million by 2030. This expansion, at a steady 3.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the decade, highlights the increasing competition for memorable online real estate and underscores the strategic value of a well-chosen domain.

21. Tech-related domain extensions are gaining traction

The .ai domain – originally Anguilla’s ccTLD – has seen remarkable growth with registrations quadrupling over the past three years. As of mid-2025, it hosts over 598,000 registered domain names, up by more than 25,000 since late 2024, according to Domain Name Wire.

Additionally, DNSFilter researchers found that between October 2023 and September 2024, traffic to AI-related websites surged by 786%, far outpacing the 15% growth in the number of unique AI domains. This indicates that a relatively small number of domains are attracting the bulk of user attention.

The rising adoption of the .ai domain is primarily driven by the artificial intelligence boom, with the extension becoming the unofficial badge of AI startups.

Similarly, .io, once a lesser-known TLD assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, has surged in popularity. Its appeal skyrocketed as developers and tech companies embraced the domain for its connection to “Input/Output” – a fundamental concept in computing.

By mid-2025, .io domain registrations exceeded one million, cementing their role as digital real estate for tech-centric brands.

22. Phishing queries jumped by 203% amid rising ransomware threats

DNSFilter’s 2025 Annual Security Report revealed a 203% surge in phishing queries, signaling a steep rise in attempts to deceive users into revealing sensitive information like login credentials and financial data.

While the overall distribution of domain-related threats remained relatively stable, phishing and malware-specific inquiries rose by 14%, indicating a broader uptick in malicious online activity.

This trend aligns with a significant increase in ransomware incidents across the industry, suggesting that threat actors are increasingly using phishing as an entry point to launch more damaging attacks. The data underscores the urgent need for stronger domain monitoring, DNS threat detection, and public awareness to combat evolving cyber threats.

23. Surge in domain name disputes: A wake-up call for brand owners

In 2023, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) administered nearly 6,200 domain name dispute cases, marking a 7% increase over 2022. Most disputes centered around the widely used .com domain.

This upward trend reflects growing brand protection efforts, with industries like banking, biotech, and fashion among the most affected. Notably, about 82% of complaints resulted in domain transfers to rightful owners, highlighting the effectiveness of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) mechanisms.

The rise in domain disputes shows that cybersquatting, phishing, and fake domain registrations still put brands at risk. That’s why it’s crucial for companies to monitor their domains, be legally prepared, and claim or buy domain names that include their brand to stay protected.

24. Aftermarket domain name market value is projected to hit $1.17 billion by 2033

An aftermarket domain name is a domain that’s already been registered and is being resold on the secondary market. These domains are often snapped up by investors and businesses seeking valuable, brandable, or keyword-rich names that are memorable and may increase in value over time.

The aftermarket domain names market, which was valued at approximately USD 0.64 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to USD 0.68 billion in 2025 and surge further to USD 1.17 billion by 2033, driven by a strong CAGR of 6.1%, according to Business Research Insights.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated this trend. As businesses rushed to establish or strengthen their online presence during lockdowns, the demand for premium domain names soared. The rise of ecommerce, remote work, and new start-ups fueled a surge of interest in aftermarket domains.

25. Sold at $12 million, icon.com became the highest-grossing domain resale in 2025

This headline-grabbing price showcases the role of premium domains in branding and digital strategy. However, this also reflects the growing activity of domain flippers in the secondary market.

If you don’t know what domain flipping is, it’s the process of buying domain names – often generic, keyword-rich, or brandable ones – with the goal of reselling them at a higher price. Investors and speculators capitalize on market demand by holding valuable domains and selling them when the timing aligns with buyer interest.

In 2023, voice.com sold for a staggering $30 million, one of the highest domain sale prices ever recorded. That same year, chat.com was purchased by OpenAI for $15.5 million, making it the second-highest-paid domain name of all time. Most recently, icon.com fetched $12 million in 2025.

The skyrocketing prices of these domains show how domain flipping can turn domain names into lucrative assets. For businesses, this highlights the importance of securing ideal domain names early to avoid facing inflated aftermarket prices driven by flippers.

The ever-evolving world of domain names

The domain name landscape is constantly evolving, shaped by shifting user behavior, emerging technologies, and global digital trends. Recent drastic increases in total domain name registrations underscore just how vital domain names have become in the modern online ecosystem.

Whether you’re building a brand, launching a project, or scaling a business, your domain name is more than just a web address – it’s a foundational part of your digital identity. Choosing the right domain can boost credibility, enhance discoverability, and leave a lasting impression.

With thousands of top-level domains (TLDs) now available, and new ones continuously emerging, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about domain trends, performance patterns, and renewal behavior.

By keeping up with the data behind domain registrations, you’ll be better positioned to make smart, strategic decisions. Whether you’re securing your first domain or managing an entire portfolio, informed choices today can define your digital success tomorrow.

Sources

1. Domain Name Industry Brief
2. ICANN Wiki
3. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
4. Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
5. Gartner Peer Insights
6. AtomRadar
7. Corporation Service Company (CSC)
8. Research and Markets
9. DNSFilter
10. Domain Name Wire
11. Business Research Insights
12. Namebio

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