If all new domain name extensions failed, would the domain industry get smaller?

So there has been a lot of talk lately about the challenges that the new domain extensions (new gTLDs as Domainers call them) have had when it comes to investment value. At the same time, hugely successful startups like Data.world and monster companies like Alphabet.xyz have decided to brand around a new domain extension.

At the same time, .COM is literally on fire when it comes to resale value. This month Fly.com sold for $2.8M, Freedom.com sold for $2M and Place.com sold for $550,000. It is absolutely clear that .COM is king and that title isn’t going away anytime soon.

The question is, will all of the new domain extensions crash and burn or will a handful of extensions stand the test of time and become valuable digital real estate. I’m a big believer in the latter. While I do agree with the naysayers in a lot of cases, let’s be honest, there are a bunch of junky new domain extensions that aren’t going anywhere. Still, I find it hard to believe that every new domain name extension is going to fail.

If the harshest critics are right, and all the new domain extensions fail, I think the domain name industry will get smaller. Period. We need new extensions to create more growth and to bring more people into the domain investment market. But that’s just my two cents.

As usual I’d like to hear from you. If all new domain name extensions failed, would the domain industry get smaller? Comment and let your voice be heard!

Morgan Linton

Morgan Linton