We’re excited to announce the addition of two new domain extensions for 2025 on our platform – .AI and .IO.

These extensions initially served as country-specific domains (AI representing Anguilla in the Caribbean and .IO denoting British Indian Ocean Territory) but have since transformed into preferred choices for technology-related websites, thanks to their distinctive, tech-oriented appeal.

Google have facilitated this process by treating .AI and .IO as gTLDs rather than ccTLDs, thus  recognizing their global usage beyond their geographical origins.

Read further below for more information on the two domain extensions.

.AI – the TLD of future-proof ideas

Despite its current popularity, the .AI domain extension has existed since 1995. .AI serves as the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) representing Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory situated in the Eastern Caribbean.

The domain’s remarkable expansion through the years has been driven by the increasing interest in artificial intelligence (AI).

“AI” and “artificial intelligence” represent the most discussed terms in the startup ecosystem.

As AI technology infiltrates various industries – from healthcare and finance to education and entertainment, AI-driven automation and machine learning will soon become integral to all our activities.

This presents an ideal opportunity to embrace cutting-edge technology alongside .AI domains.

The .AI domain extension is available for anyone to register without any specific prerequisites or conditions.

It is perfect for small business owners involved in various applications of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, robotics, deep learning, and more.

NOTE: Please note that .AI domain registrations must be purchased for at least 2 years.

.AI – key advantages:

• Brand Recognition – for businesses in AI-related fields, the .AI extension offers instant brand association with artificial intelligence;
• Tech-Savvy Consumers – Whether it’s a startup developing a new machine learning model or a company offering AI-as-a-service, .AI instantly signals a commitment to innovation;
• Global Appeal – The international appeal of the TLD transcends geography, making it a fitting choice for tech giants, researchers, and entrepreneurs alike;SEO Benefits –  Companies with .AI domain names may benefit from enhanced SEO rankings, especially when targeting audiences interested in AI and technology.

Key Trends and Developments:

• AI Startups Dominating the .AI Space – AI startups increasingly choose .AI domains, following industry leaders like OpenAI and DeepMind to strengthen their branding;
• Expansion of AI-Related Services – The .AI domain isn’t just for large enterprises. It serves companies of all sizes promoting AI tools, APIs, and research projects;
• AI and Creative Industries –  The .AI domain isn’t just limited to software companies. Artists and creators also use .AI domains to showcase their work combining artificial intelligence with creative arts.

.IO – the TLD of the tech world

Similar to .AI, the .IO domain extension originated as a country-code domain (representing the British Indian Ocean Territory, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean), but quickly evolved into a trending digital branding tool.

The abbreviation ‘IO’ or ‘I/O’ – typically associated with input/output operations in computing, has made .IO domains increasingly attractive for technology-focused enterprises.

Therefore, if you’re launching a new project in the technology sector, using this domain extension presents an excellent chance to differentiate your brand from competitors.

.IO domains are wide open for registration to anyone for a period of 1-10 years, with no special requirements to follow.

It has gained great popularity as the digital home for technology companies worldwide, and is a great fit for tech and SaaS startups that want to be recognized as tech-oriented and forward-thinking.

NOTE: A special 1st year promotion is currently running for .IO domains helping you attract more clients right from the beginning.

.IO – key advantages

• Establishing a connection – For startups and tech-related companies, using a .IO extension works as a branding move and serves to create a connection with target audiences;
• Catchy domain hacks – You can use a .IO extension to tap into your creativity and come up with memorable domain hacks, like portfol.IO, stud.IO, aud.io, and more;
• More options and availability – .IO domains still offer plenty of potential for you to find the perfect name for your next online project.

The future of .IO following the UK-Mauritius agreement

In 2024, the UK and Mauritius signed a historic agreement to shift the control of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritian jurisdiction.

This administrative transition sparked concerns regarding the status of the .IO country code domain.

The ISO’s IO designation has remained unchanged since 2018, and modifications seem improbable before the treaty’s ratification this year.

This situation might initiate IANA’s 5-year phase-out protocol, during which domain holders could be required to transition to a replacement code or different domain extension.

Yet, shifts in political landscapes don’t automatically result in the elimination of corresponding country codes (as demonstrated by .SU, which persists despite the Soviet Union’s dissolution).

.IO domain owners should expect that Identity Digital, the backend registry provider for the .IO ccTLD, an organization we partner with, will try to assume control over the TLD currently managing more than 1.6 million registrations.

It is within Identity Digital’s capacity to maintain .IO operations, since it is one of the largest registries worldwide, offering over 100+ nTLDs, as well as the .AI extension itself (which they recently acquired from their original provider).

How to offer .AI and .IO on your store?

Both .AI and .IO have been added to the list of extensions available for reselling in your Reseller Control Panel. 

Partners who have not made any changes to their domain listing will have the TLDs enabled by default. 

Those of you who have made changes to the domain portfolio will need to activate them from the TLD table under “Domain Offers”: 

Thanks to the drag-n-drop functionality, you’ll be able to rearrange your TLD listings to place the new TLDs in a more viewable position in your store.