As the artificial intelligence revolution accelerates, businesses across industries are racing to stake their claim in the AI space.
One of the most powerful, visible ways companies are signaling their involvement in AI is through their choice of domain name, using the .ai top-level domain (TLD).
Over the years, many extensions have aimed to challenge .com’s dominance, but few have managed to gain lasting traction. Experts believe that .ai has what it takes to last the distance.
“.ai is a very interesting TLD,” said David Clements, author of The Ultimate Domain Name Handbook, on a recent Openprovider Podcast. “I think it’s going to be popular for more than a year because AI is so hot.”
To be truly successful with this TLD, you need to understand why heavyweight domain investors see .ai as a generational asset – an opportunity that only comes around once every 10-15 years.
The better you grasp the ‘why’ behind the trend, the more confidently and simply you can communicate its value to your customers.
Why companies are choosing .ai domains
Companies adopting .ai domains are making strategic decisions backed by clear advantages – not simply following a trend.
Here are the top reasons:
- Industry credibility: A .ai domain immediately conveys a company’s focus on artificial intelligence. It tells investors, customers, and talent that the business is part of the innovation economy.
- Name availability: Unlike the .com market, which is now saturated, .ai still offers access to short, memorable, brandable domains. This makes it ideal for startups and tech-first companies.
- Strategic alignment: The .ai domain reflects current market dynamics. Many VC-backed AI startups are using .ai, reinforcing it as the domain of choice for emerging tech ventures. Examples include: Perplexity.ai, Character.ai, and Modjo.ai.
- Perceived value: The higher price point of .ai domains has created a quality filter, keeping the TLD free from low-effort or spammy projects. This adds to its reputation as an emerging yet premium TLD.
Helping customers understand the value of .ai
Not every customer will immediately see the benefit of choosing a non-traditional TLD.
Your job is to bridge that gap – by reframing .ai not as a compromise, but as a smart strategic decision.
Here’s how to guide the conversation:
- Position it as a signal: .ai has become a recognizable badge of innovation. It shows that a business is not just keeping up, but leading the charge in the AI space.
- Highlight branding potential: For customers frustrated with the lack of good .com options, .ai opens up new creative territory. Help them find brandable names that would be impossible under .com.
- Point to social proof: Referencing successful, well-funded startups using .ai can reassure hesitant customers. It signals that this is a legitimate and growing trend among tech leaders.
- Address SEO concerns: Clarify that .ai is treated by Google as a global TLD, not a geographic one, so it performs just as well in search rankings when optimized properly.
- Emphasize exclusivity: The curated nature of .ai adds a level of prestige. Customers who want to stand out and be seen as part of the elite AI ecosystem benefit from being early adopters.
Using a .ai domain signals a company’s commitment to leading in the AI-driven future. For domain resellers, this presents a massive opportunity to educate customers, offer better branding options, and stand out in a competitive market.
Encourage your customers to think beyond .com. Help them see .ai for what it truly is: a generational TLD that represents innovation, credibility, and opportunity. By communicating that value clearly and confidently, you’ll position yourself as a forward-thinking partner.
Conclusion
Resellers can become more profitable with .ai domains in the long run by having on-demand access to these domains at wholesale prices. By securing .ai domains at cost price, resellers can maximize their margins and stay ahead in the rapidly growing AI-driven market.
That’s why we created Openprovider Membership – a subscription plan that gives you domains at the exact price we get them from registries. No hidden fees, no inflated markups.
At the time of writing, Openprovider Members are enjoying a 36% discount on two-year .ai registrations compared to our regular price.
As artificial intelligence continues to shape industries worldwide, demand for .ai domains is only increasing – domain resellers need to move fast.
So if you’re flipping premium domains or looking for long-term investments, Openprovider Membership gives you a competitive advantage.
