Companies InternetX and Sedo have released the 2026 edition of the Global Domain Report — a 100+ page deep dive into the state of the domain industry. InternetX operates as a major infrastructure provider for registrars and hosting companies, while Sedo is one of the world’s largest domain marketplaces. In short, these are the people who not only watch the numbers, but also understand why they move.
The report suggests that while the market continues to grow, the more significant shift lies elsewhere: domains are changing their role entirely.
Growth Continues, but the Center of Gravity Is Moving
The total number of registered domain names worldwide has reached 386.9 million, reflecting a 2.2% year-over-year increase. Country-code domains (ccTLDs) grew by 3.4%, while new generic top-level domains (New gTLDs) posted an impressive 29.9% growth — a figure that suggests the “alternatives” are no longer content with being alternative.
At the same time, the .COM zone, operated by VeriSign, continues to dominate. There are no clear signs of decline, but the surrounding ecosystem is expanding. New gTLDs now account for 12.4% of the market, steadily transitioning from experiment to established second tier.
AI Changes the Rules of the Game
One of the report’s central themes is the growing influence of artificial intelligence. It is not just lowering the barrier to entry for launching websites — it is redefining what a domain name actually represents.
Domains are evolving from simple destinations into elements of digital identity that help algorithms determine who is behind a resource, whether the source is trustworthy, and if interaction is safe. Where traffic once relied heavily on users typing in addresses or clicking links, it will increasingly depend on how machines evaluate credibility, attribution, and authority.
In that context, a domain name starts to look less like a sign on a door and more like a passport — complete with stamps that may or may not convince the next checkpoint.
Security Becomes the Baseline
Security is a recurring theme throughout the report. Technologies such as DNSSEC, DMARC, SPF, and the widespread adoption of HTTPS are becoming standard requirements rather than optional enhancements. Regulatory frameworks, including Europe’s NIS2 directive, are reinforcing this trend.
A domain without basic security measures is no longer just underprotected — it increasingly appears unfinished.
Aftermarket Matures, “Empty” Domains Lose Ground
The secondary domain market remains active, but expectations have shifted. Buyers are placing greater emphasis on clarity, brevity, usability, and real-world applicability. Speculative appeal alone is losing ground to measurable commercial value.
At the same time, certain domain zones are redefining their role. The .AI domain, for instance, is gradually moving beyond hype status toward practical adoption. While the market remains overheated, purchases are increasingly driven by long-term use rather than short-term resale.
ccTLD Strength and a Tougher Road Ahead for New gTLDs
Country-code domains continue to benefit from strong local trust, brand recognition, and user loyalty. As trust becomes a central factor in digital interactions, their importance may increase further.
Meanwhile, the next round of New gTLD launches is expected to face a more challenging environment. Many strong concepts have already been claimed, competition is higher, and market enthusiasm is more restrained. Launching a new extension will require more than a good idea — it will require clear relevance.
Domain industry expert John Colascione summarized the report with a concise observation: domain names are evolving from addresses into trust infrastructure. In such a landscape, “empty” domains — those without meaningful content or purpose — are becoming increasingly difficult to justify. The internet, it seems, is starting to ask not just for a name, but for substance behind it.