The Future of Domain Names: What's Coming for Web Addresses

Domain names have been the addressing system of the internet for over 40 years. But the way we access the web is changing rapidly. Here's what the future holds for domain names and what it means for your brand.

The Current State

The domain industry is mature but evolving. Over 350 million domains are registered worldwide, with .com still dominant but new extensions growing rapidly. Domain prices have increased, and premium .com names are increasingly out of reach for startups.

Trends Shaping the Future

The Decline of URL Typing

People are typing URLs less than ever. They search, tap links, scan QR codes, or use voice commands. This has implications:

Domain names still matter for brand identity and email
The URL bar matters less as a discovery mechanism
Brand recognition becomes more important than the actual URL

New TLD Expansion

ICANN's next round of new gTLD applications is expected to add hundreds more extensions. This means more choices but also more fragmentation. Niche extensions could become more relevant as communities form around them.

AI-Powered Discovery

As AI assistants become the primary interface for web discovery, domains become less about direct navigation and more about underlying identity. When ChatGPT or Google Gemini recommends a product, the user may never type a URL — but the AI references the brand.

Blockchain and Decentralized Naming

ENS (.eth), Unstoppable Domains, and Handshake represent alternative naming systems outside ICANN's control. While adoption is still niche, the technology is maturing. These systems offer:

True ownership (no renewals)
Censorship resistance
Integration with crypto wallets
Potential for decentralized websites

Voice-First Navigation

As smart speakers and voice assistants proliferate, domains need to work when spoken. This favors short, phonetically clear names over clever spellings or unusual extensions.

Will .com Remain King?

Arguments for .com's continued dominance

Deeply ingrained user behavior
Highest trust and recognition
Best email deliverability track record
Strongest resale market
Default autocomplete in many browsers

Arguments for .com's declining importance

Younger generations care less about extensions
Alternative extensions gaining mainstream acceptance
AI and app-based access bypass URL entry
.com scarcity driving impractical pricing

The likely outcome: .com will remain the gold standard for the foreseeable future but will gradually share mindshare with established alternatives like .io, .ai, and .co.

What This Means for Your Brand

Own Your .com If Possible

Even as alternatives grow, .com provides maximum flexibility and recognition. If you can get it, get it.

Diversify Your Domain Portfolio

Don't bet everything on one extension. Secure your brand across .com and the most relevant alternatives.

Focus on Brand, Not URL

Build a brand strong enough that people search for you by name, not by typing a URL. This makes your specific domain extension less critical.

Prepare for Multi-Platform Identity

Your brand identity increasingly lives across domains, social handles, app stores, and voice assistant databases. Domains are one piece of a larger identity puzzle.

Watch Blockchain Domains

Don't invest heavily yet, but register your brand in major blockchain domain systems as a defensive move.

The Internet Without URLs?

Some futurists predict a world where URLs disappear entirely — replaced by AI navigation, natural language commands, and embedded links. While possible in the very long term, domains will remain relevant for:

Email addresses
Brand identity
Professional credibility
Direct navigation for power users
Legal and regulatory identity

Secure Your Brand for the Future

Whatever the future holds, a strong brand name available across multiple platforms is your best hedge. Start building that foundation now.

Use BrandScout to check your brand name across domains and social platforms. Secure your digital identity today for whatever tomorrow brings.