Buying, Selling Domains Called $2 Billion Business

LOS ANGELES — The transaction of Internet domain names along with corresponding pay-per-click advertising has translated into a $2 billion industry, according to the Associated Press. The market is expected to balloon to $4 billion by 2010.

Domain registration data from VeriSign backs up the Associated Press’ claim. 128 million domain names were registered worldwide at the end of this year’s first quarter, which was a 31 percent increase from 2006. Domain buyers are purchasing names at a 90,000-per-day clip.

“It’s like real estate,” Monte Cahn, founder and CEO of Moniker.com, told the AP. “This industry is only about a decade old. People looked at domain names as a commodity. It’s a piece of real estate on the web that can’t be replaced. It’s your stake in the ground, your stake in the Internet.”

Cahn and his company recently presided over a domain auction at the Internext Summer 2007 adult webmaster trade show that hauled in more than $725,000. LatinPussy.com was the biggest money earner, garnering $135,000.

Domain registrar Sedo.com said that it handles more than $3 million of transactions each month. DN Journal, which tracks the buying and selling of domain names, said that five sales of domains have topped $1 million this year — including adult sites Sex.com and Porn.com.

“It is a global, multibillion-dollar industry,” Peter Lamson, senior vice president and general manager of NameMedia, told the International Herald Tribune. “Customers need to find your doorstep. A brick-and-mortar business needs an attractive address, and it’s no different online.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More