SmartBranding.com has recently released a comprehensive study on domain extensions, exploring their usage among businesses. Based on an analysis of 92,459 companies, the study offers deep insights into the use of different domain extensions. Although it took considerable time to complete, the results are significant, providing a valuable breakdown of who is using what domain extensions.

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  1. Domain Extensions: The Best Choices

Among these 92,459 companies, a striking result emerged: 87,207 of them chose to use the .com domain extension. This trend is not surprising, as .com was one of the earliest domain extensions introduced and has become an iconic presence on the internet since 1985. Due to its long-standing presence and widespread recognition, users’ familiarity and habitual use of .com websites make it still stand out among many choices.

Beyond .com, here is a look at the usage of several other popular domain extensions:

  • .io: With 3,000 domain names, it is widely favored by tech companies and startups due to its association with the term “input/output.” This extension is actually the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the British Indian Ocean Territory.
  • .ai: Boasting 2,229 domain names, it is particularly favored by businesses focusing on artificial intelligence. .ai is the ccTLD for Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean Sea.
  • .co: With 1,635 domain names, it is often used as an abbreviation for company or corporation. .co is the ccTLD assigned to Colombia.

SmartBranding.com’s study not only reveals the dominance of the .com domain but also showcases trends in the use of other extensions within specific industries. For businesses looking for the right domain name, understanding the usage and popularity of these extensions undoubtedly provides important guidance for their brand building and market positioning.

This study emphasizes the importance of domain selection and how brands can leverage domain extensions to enhance their online visibility and recognition in an evolving digital landscape. As technology advances and markets change, businesses need to be more prudent in choosing domain names to ensure effective communication with their target audiences.