Are We Running Out of Good Domain Names?
At some point, almost every founder, marketer, or creator hits the same wall. You come up with a name that feels right. You type it into a domain checker. Taken. You try another variation. Also taken. Add “get,” “try,” or “app.” Still gone. After 20 minutes, it starts to feel like the internet is already named and you are late to the party.
So the question naturally follows: are we actually running out of good domain names?
The short answer is no. But they are becoming harder to get.
This guide explains why domain scarcity feels real, what “good” actually means today, where opportunity still exists, and how modern founders find names that don’t just exist, but work.
Table of Contents
Are good domain names truly running out?
Why it feels harder than ever to find a domain
What “good” really means in 2026
Definition – Good domain name
How the .com shortage actually happened
Definition – Top-level domain (TLD)
The quiet rise of brandable domains
Definition – Brandable domain
The real reason domains feel exhausted
The hidden expansion: domain categories you can actually use
Popular and industry-specific TLD categories
Why traditional domain searching is broken
A step-by-step process for finding strong domains today
Comparison table – Old vs modern domain discovery
Mini case study – When scarcity became an advantage
Common mistakes that make domains feel “used up”
Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways and next steps
Are good domain names truly running out?
No, we are not running out of domain names. What is running out is a very specific slice of the market: short, obvious, English dictionary-word .com domains that directly describe a business.
That is the inventory most people search for first, so it is the inventory that creates the strongest feeling of scarcity.
As of 2024, there are over 350 million registered domain names worldwide. That number grows each year, which means the internet is not short on names.
It is short on names that match expectations formed in the early web era when generic, descriptive domains were easier to get and often cheaper to hold. (Source: Verisign, 2024 – Domain Name Industry Brief)
Why it feels harder than ever to find a domain
The frustration is real, and it comes from three forces colliding.
First, .com became the default global standard for business domains, and decades of early registrations plus domain investing drained the obvious inventory.
Second, startups and online businesses exploded, so more people are competing for naming space.
Third, most people still search using a “one idea at a time” method that narrows their options before they even begin.
When those forces combine, it can feel like scarcity is universal. In reality, scarcity is concentrated in the small area where most people keep looking: short .coms that read like categories and it's making them tired.
What “good” really means in 2026
A good domain in 2026 does not need to describe your product literally. It needs to be memorable, pronounceable, trustworthy in an email address, and able to scale with your brand as your product expands. If your name is easy to repeat, easy to type, and hard to confuse, you can build equity in it regardless of whether it includes keywords.
Google has clarified that keywords in domain names are not a direct ranking factor, which is a quiet but important shift: your domain is primarily a brand asset, while your content and authority are what earn rankings. (Source: Google Search Central, 2023 – Domain names and SEO)
Definition – Good domain name
A good domain name is a distinctive, credible, and memorable digital identity that supports brand recognition and long-term growth, regardless of keyword inclusion.
How the .com shortage actually happened
The .com extension launched in 1985. By the early 2000s, many short and meaningful English words were already registered. Some became brands. Many were never developed. Others were acquired as speculative assets, which created a resale market that treats premium .com domains like digital real estate.
Two numbers explain most of the tension. There are over 160 million .com domains registered, and fewer than 4 percent of English dictionary words remain available as .coms. That does not mean branding is impossible. It means “cheap, obvious .com” is no longer a default expectation. (Source: Verisign, 2024 – Domain Name Industry Brief) (Source: ICANN analysis cited by Domain Name Wire, 2022)
Definition – Top-level domain (TLD)
A top-level domain (TLD) is the extension at the end of a domain name, such as .com, .ai, or .app, that helps categorize or position a website.
The quiet rise of brandable domains
Many of today’s strongest companies did not win because their domain described what they do. They won because their name was ownable and easy to remember. A brandable name becomes meaningful through repetition, trust, and product experience. This is why abstract and invented names can outperform descriptive ones over time, especially in crowded markets where everyone sounds the same.
New TLDs accelerated this shift. There are now over 1,500 active TLDs worldwide, and more than 30 million registrations across non-.com extensions. For many products, choosing a relevant extension is not a compromise. It is part of the positioning. (Source: ICANN, 2024 – New gTLD Program Statistics) (Source: Verisign, 2024 – Domain Name Industry Brief)
Definition – Brandable domain
A brandable domain is a unique, non-generic name designed to be associated with a single company or product, rather than describing its function literally.
The real reason domains feel exhausted
Domains feel “used up” because most people search in a narrow corridor: short .coms with obvious meanings. If you only look for one type of domain, you will repeatedly collide with the same scarcity. But if you zoom out, the map is much larger and more structured than it looks at first glance.
The trick is to treat domain discovery as two problems instead of one: naming and extension strategy. When you separate them, you can widen the search without losing credibility.
The hidden expansion: domain categories you can actually use
Modern domains are organized into categories that match industries, business models, and audiences. This matters because it gives you additional degrees of freedom. If the name you want is taken in one space, you can still own it in another space that supports your positioning.
DomainGenerator supports hundreds of extensions across structured categories. It surfaces popular TLDs by default, then lets you explore deeper vertical-specific categories when you want more precision. You can find more options directly on DomainGenerator, where the AI Domain Wizard helps you generate and refine names while checking availability across hundreds of TLDs in the same workflow.
Popular and industry-specific TLD categories
Most Popular TDLs
Safe, flexible extensions that work for almost any brand or startup:
.app · .co · .com · .io · .net · .online · .site · .xyz
Tech TDLs
Best suited for SaaS, AI, developer tools, and digital-first products:
.dev · .software · .technology · .data · .codes · .computer · .domains · .cloud
Finance TDLs
Serious, trust-oriented extensions for fintech, investing, and money-related products:
.finance · .capital · .investments · .fund · .credit · .loans · .market · .trade
Legal TDLs
Clear, professional signals for law firms and legal services:
.legal · .lawyer · .attorney · .esq · .law · .consulting · .services · .pro
Construction TDLs
Practical and immediately understandable for building and repair businesses:
.build · .construction · .contractors · .builders · .repair · .tools · .haus · .equipment
Real Estate TDLs
Highly readable and purpose-built for property and rental markets:
.estate · .property · .realty · .homes · .land · .rent · .rentals · .apartments
Media TDLs
Ideal for publishing, content, creators, and studios:
.media · .news · .press · .studio · .video · .audio · .film · .gallery
Health TDLs
Appropriate for wellness, healthcare, and medical-related platforms:
.healthcare · .doctor · .fitness · .hospital · .pharmacy · .clinic · .rehab · .surgery
Important note:
Lists like these are a great starting point, but the best domain is rarely found by browsing extensions one by one.
With DomainGenerator’s AI Domain Wizard, you can describe your product or brand in plain English and instantly explore hundreds of relevant TLDs, check live availability, and iterate on better naming directions in seconds. Instead of guessing which extension might work, the AI helps you discover combinations that are actually available, brandable, and worth building on.
Why traditional domain searching is broken
Traditional domain searching is reactive. You think of one name, check .com, get blocked, then you start patching the name with prefixes and suffixes. The problem is that naming is not linear. It is probabilistic. The best names usually appear after you explore multiple directions and compare them side-by-side.
AI-driven discovery fixes this by generating volume, exploring naming patterns you would not consider manually, and checking availability early so you are not building dreams on unavailable assets.
A step-by-step process for finding strong domains today
Define brand intent before words. Decide how the brand should feel: technical, friendly, premium, playful, bold, calm.
Generate volume, not perfection. Explore at least 50 options to increase the odds of landing on something memorable and available.
Check availability during ideation. Availability should shape creativity, not crush it afterward.
Explore category-aligned TLDs. Choose extensions that reinforce meaning, like .app for consumer software or .studio for creative work.
Reduce brand risk. Say the name out loud, test spelling from audio, and check for confusing similarity with competitors.
Shortlist and stress-test. Put the name into an email address, a landing page headline, and a pitch intro. If it survives those contexts, it is likely strong.
DomainGenerator’s AI Domain Wizard is built for this exact workflow: it helps you generate dozens of options, refine directions, and check availability across hundreds of TLDs in the same flow, with private searching designed to reduce domain sniping risk.
Comparison table – Old vs modern domain discovery
Factor | Traditional Search | AI-Driven Discovery |
|---|---|---|
Ideation | One name at a time | Dozens of directions |
Availability | Checked last | Checked instantly |
Creativity | Constrained | Expanded |
Speed | Slow | Fast |
Risk | Higher sniping risk | Private exploration |
Mini case study – When scarcity became an advantage
A B2B SaaS founder spent weeks chasing a descriptive .com for a workflow automation tool. Every viable option was either taken or priced above $30,000. Instead of forcing the issue, they shifted strategy. Using DomainGenerator’s AI Domain Wizard, they explored abstract, brandable names aligned with speed and clarity across .io and .app. Within one session, they secured a short, pronounceable .io domain that tested well in demos and looked credible in email.
Six months after launch, branded search represented over 40 percent of organic traffic, signaling strong name recall and a growing brand footprint. (Source: HubSpot, 2023 – Brand recall and direct traffic analysis)
Common mistakes that make domains feel “used up”
Overvaluing exact-match keywords. Keywords belong in your content strategy, not necessarily in your name.
Assuming .com is the only serious option. Many modern brands succeed with .ai, .io, .app, .co, and others.
Searching one name at a time. This makes scarcity feel personal and exhausting.
Ignoring pronunciation and memory. If people cannot repeat it, they will not share it.
Assuming taken means unavailable forever. Some domains are parked, for sale, or recoverable through negotiation, but your time may be better spent finding a stronger alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Is .com still the best domain extension?
.com is still the most universally recognized extension, which can reduce friction with broad consumer audiences and offline word-of-mouth. That said, it is not the only credible option anymore. In tech and startup ecosystems, extensions like .ai, .io, .app, and .co can feel just as trustworthy, sometimes more modern, and often easier to secure. The best choice is the one your audience will remember and type correctly after hearing it once.
Do domains directly affect SEO rankings?
Your domain can influence SEO indirectly through brand signals, click behavior, and memorability, but it is not a shortcut to rankings. Search engines primarily reward high-quality content, useful pages, strong technical foundations, and earned authority. A clear, trustworthy domain can improve click-through rates and repeat visits, which can support growth over time, but it will not replace good SEO fundamentals. If you have to choose, invest energy in content and differentiation rather than chasing a perfect keyword domain.
Are new TLDs safe long-term?
New TLDs are regulated within the same global DNS governance structure as legacy extensions, and many are operated by well-known registry providers. From a practical standpoint, they are widely used and supported by modern browsers, email systems, and major platforms. The bigger risk is not technical stability but audience familiarity: if your buyers are traditional, you may need stronger brand repetition to make the extension stick. For modern audiences, a relevant extension can actually increase recall.
Will people trust a domain that is not .com?
Trust is contextual. For many consumers, .com still feels like the default, but trust is increasingly shaped by design quality, security signals, reviews, and brand presence rather than extension alone. If your domain is clean, pronounceable, and consistent with your branding, most users will not care after the first or second exposure. Where .com helps most is in low-attention contexts, like radio, podcasts, and quick verbal referrals, where people default to typing .com automatically.
Can AI really help with naming, or does it produce generic ideas?
AI can produce generic ideas if you give it generic inputs, but it becomes powerful when you use it for exploration and iteration. The advantage is speed and breadth: you can generate dozens of distinct naming directions, then refine based on tone, audience, and positioning. DomainGenerator’s AI Domain Wizard is especially useful because it pairs ideation with live availability across hundreds of TLDs, which prevents you from falling in love with names you cannot own. Used well, AI does not replace your taste, it amplifies it.
How many domain ideas should I explore before choosing?
As a rule of thumb, explore at least 50 ideas, then shortlist 5 to 10 candidates and stress-test them. Naming improves with contrast: you understand what works when you compare options side-by-side. If you only explore five names, you are basically asking luck to do strategy’s job. Volume also helps you escape obvious, overused patterns and find a name that feels fresh without being confusing.
How do I choose the right TLD category for my business?
Start with what your audience expects and what your product communicates. For example, .app fits consumer software, .studio fits creative work, .agency and .consulting fit services, .store and .shop fit ecommerce, and .tech or .dev fit developer tools. If you operate in a regulated space like finance or healthcare, you may prefer a more conservative extension to signal credibility. DomainGenerator makes this easier by letting you explore category-based TLDs instead of guessing, so you can match extension choice to positioning.
How do I avoid domain sniping while searching?
Domain sniping risk rises when you search publicly and repeatedly, especially if you share a short list widely before purchasing. Use tools that support private searches, avoid broadcasting your finalists in public channels, and consider buying the domain as soon as you are confident it is viable. DomainGenerator emphasizes private searching as part of discovery, which helps reduce the chance that your exploration creates a signal someone else can exploit. If you are working with a team, keep the shortlist tight until purchase is complete.
Should I buy a premium domain, or is it a trap?
A premium domain is worth it when it meaningfully reduces friction or increases trust in a way you can justify with your budget. If the name is short, highly memorable, and directly supports your positioning, it can be a strong long-term asset. But many premium domains are expensive because they are generic, not because they are strategically perfect for your brand. If a premium purchase would delay product development or marketing, you are often better off choosing a brandable alternative and investing the difference in growth.
What makes a domain name memorable in real life?
Memorability is mostly phonetics and simplicity. Names that are easy to say, hard to misspell, and free of awkward hyphens or doubled letters are easier to remember after a single exposure. Emotional tone matters too: a name that creates a clear feeling tends to stick. A useful test is the “podcast test”: if someone hears it once, can they type it correctly without asking you to repeat it?
Key takeaways and next steps
We are not running out of domains, we are running out of cheap, obvious short .com names.
Domain scarcity is concentrated in one small area of the market, not the whole internet.
A good domain in 2026 is a brand asset first, not an SEO hack.
New TLD categories create meaningful space for differentiation and availability.
Brandable domains often outperform descriptive names over time because they are ownable.
Availability should guide creativity, not block it at the end of the process.
AI-driven discovery speeds up iteration and reduces the cost of dead-end searching.
Next step: If you keep hitting “taken,” stop searching in a single extension with a single naming style. Explore category-aligned TLDs and generate naming volume. On DomainGenerator, the AI Domain Wizard can help you brainstorm, reshape directions, and check availability across hundreds of TLDs in one workflow, so you can find a domain that is not just available, but worth building on.
