Latest news with #domainnames
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Identity Digital Maintains High-Growth Trajectory with Fifth Year on Inc. 5000
Identity Digital holds its position as a global leader in domain name management through ongoing expansion and key partnerships BELLEVUE, Wash., August 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Identity Digital Inc., a leader in connecting the online world with domain names and related technologies, has earned a spot on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the fifth consecutive year. This list highlights the most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses driving innovation and growth across the United States. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia. Operating the largest portfolio of top-level domains (TLDs), Identity Digital helps businesses and individuals stand out online by making it easier to use memorable, meaningful web addresses utilizing creative TLDs like .studio, .pro, .world, .lgbt, .chat, .bio, and .ai. As legacy domains become more crowded and expensive, unique domain extensions offer more branding choices, improved online visibility, boost credibility, and support better search engine optimization (SEO) results. The rising adoption of new TLDs highlights the growing demand for digital real estate that goes beyond functionality and effectively communicates a brand's identity to its audience. "Being named on the Inc. 5000 list for a fifth year is a powerful reflection of our sustained growth as a leading registry," said Akram Atallah, CEO of Identity Digital. "It also underscores the increasing demand by businesses, creators, and innovators for authentic digital identities in today's connected world. At Identity Digital, we deliver the modern domain solutions that make this possible. As the internet continues to evolve, we remain committed to driving innovation, expanding global access, and making domain management smarter and more seamless for everyone." Over the past year, Identity Digital has strengthened its position at the forefront of the domain industry by becoming the technical operator of .ai, an increasingly critical top-level domain as businesses across sectors accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. Identity Digital's cutting edge registry services platform has enabled more than 60% year over year growth in .ai and brought enhanced security, scalability and resilience to the top-level domain (TLD). The company also secured new strategic partnerships with LinkedIn Premium, Gravatar, OneFootball powered by D3, and Bitly, bringing personalized online identities to millions of users on trusted SaaS platforms. These alliances were announced following the launch of an enhanced Domain Engine search tool, featuring new AI capabilities and expanded API functionality to deliver smarter, more personalized domain experiences for creators worldwide. Identity Digital also joined the Shadowserver Foundation's Alliance, a leading cybersecurity foundation dedicated to making the internet more secure. This unites Identity Digital's deep domain management expertise with Shadowserver's extensive internet security intelligence and investigation capabilities. This year's Inc. 5000 honorees have demonstrated exceptional growth while navigating economic uncertainty, inflationary pressure, and a fluctuating labor market. Among the top 500 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate reached 1,552 percent, and those companies have collectively added more than 48,678 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years. "Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement, but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company's tenacity and clarity of vision," says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. "These businesses have thrived amid rising costs, shifting global dynamics, and constant change. They didn't just weather the storm—they grew through it, and their stories are a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit is the engine of the U.S. economy." For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to To learn more about Identity Digital visit More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 MethodologyCompanies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2024. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2024 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit About Identity DigitalIdentity Digital Inc. simplifies and connects the online world with domain names and related technologies to empower people to build, market, and own their authentic digital identities. With the world's largest portfolio of TLDs including .info, .pro, .world, and .studio, Identity Digital supports over 28 million domains on its innovative registry services platform. In addition, Identity Digital enables customers to discover, register, support and use high-quality domain names with its registrar, Headquartered in Bellevue, WA, Identity Digital is a global company with approximately 250 employees. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Media Contacts Amanda McMillen, Identity Inkhouse for Identity Digitalidentitydigital@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Want Better Organic Results? Google Says Use A Creative Domain Name
Pop quiz: Which of these creative domain names do you think performs better in search? If you chose the first option each time—the keyword-heavy, SEO-friendly one—well... sorry. Google just said you're wrong. In a recent discussion on Search Engine Journal, Google Search Advocate John Mueller told business owners not to build their brands around generic, keyword-based domain names. They're forgettable, hard to differentiate, and can confuse people thanks to the proliferation of those spammy directory-style sites. The better bet? Choose a unique domain name. A creative domain name. Something distinct and brandable. The kind of domain name that sticks in someone's brain—even if it doesn't contain a single exact-match keyword. How do you come up with a great domain name without using keywords? In this article, I'll share seven creative strategies I use for naming businesses and brands in ways that build recall, support SEO indirectly, and set you apart from every on the block. Why creative domain names matter more than ever Did you know there are almost 370 million registered domain names in the world—and thousands more get added every single day? With so much noise, the only way to stand out is to be remembered. That's why Google now says creative domain names often work better than keyword-stuffed ones. Here are seven strategies to help you find creative domain names that will register, ring, and stick in ears, minds, and hearts. Sometimes, the best domain names aren't clever—they're felt. Using the emotional strings strategy, you'll help your audience associate your brand with a specific emotional experience or whatever feelings you want to convey: excitement, calm, joy, strength, renewal, even rage. This technique works well for wellness brands, solo service providers, and even businesses in so-called 'dry' industries looking to stand out. I'm sharing hypothetical examples here, but note that I haven't tested whether anyone owns them. If you'd like to use a domain name I've come up with in this article, have at it! You can buy me a coffee if you'd like to show your gratitude 😁. Portmanteau is a fancy linguistic term for when two words are fused into one. Brands use them all the time; consider Microsoft (microcomputer + software), Netflix (internet + flicks), and DoorDash (an obvious combo of door + dash). Portmanteaus are great if you want to imply usefulness or meaning—and for standing out in crowded spaces. The key is clarity: Even if the word is new, the meaning should feel intuitive. Here are a few examples from my creative noggin: Many business domain names stick to expected terms, so there's power in flipping that script. Instead of or of which say what the company does but not much else—you might get better brand recall by using quirky, vivid, or even surreal imagery, like maybe or Names with unexpected imagery add a sense of personality or edge, especially in industries that people associate with stress or boredom. Consider: Some brands take off simply because the name feels like someone or something you can trust. Consider Angie's List, HelloFresh, and the insurance company Lemonade—all examples of humanized, approachable brand names. If you're in a service business or the founder of an AI tool, use this approach to help your brand sound approachable without being sterile. Here are a few of my ideas: Can't find a real word that works? Make one up. Some of the strongest modern brands names—like Grammarly, Hulu, and Zillow—didn't mean anything until the company gave them meaning. You'll want to make your coined word easy to pronounce, easy to spell, pleasing to say, and vaguely evocative of your space. Consider these from-my-noodle examples: If you're selling local, anchor your brand in your place without being too obvious about it. For example, my husband and I are licensed Realtors® serving home buyers and sellers in Western North Carolina. (I'm handling content right now; my husband does the agent work.) We thought about names like or (both probably taken at this point), but according to the new guidance on domain names from Google, neither idea would have been the best for search. It's a good thing, then, that we landed on with 828 representing the telephone area code of our region. Here are a few other examples of developing domains that give a sense of local flavor: My last idea for this article (I have more, but only so much time to write) is to use a domain name that begins with a verb or sounds like a call to action. These types of domains can communicate clarity, urgency, and ease. Consider and This strategy is surprisingly effective for tools, services, and transactional businesses that want to reduce friction or inspire movement. Would you click one of these links? Your domain name isn't where you prove to Google you know your niche. It's where you start building a memorable brand. And remember: You can still rank, even with a non-keyword domain. Google uses your content, Google Business Profile, structured data, and backlinks to understand what your business does and where you serve. That frees your domain name to do something even more powerful: Stick. If it's time for a rebrand—or even a small refresh—start not by asking what people search for, but by asking what they'll remember. Because ' might get you clicks, but the creative domain name ' That'll get you clients.
Forbes
29-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Behind The Scenes: How The World's Most Expensive Domains Are Bought
Michael Gargiulo, CEO of We help Fortune 1000, entrepreneurs and companies protect their brand. When people hear that a domain name sold for eight figures, their first reaction is usually disbelief. Unless you live and breathe digital real estate, it's hard to imagine a word or two typed into a browser is worth more than a Manhattan penthouse. But here's what you need to know: Behind every seven-or eight-figure domain sale is a quiet network of conversations, negotiations and relationships. As the CEO of a company that offers domain brokerage services, and having been part of both big-figure domain deals myself, this is something I am all too familiar with. Before you jump into a deal, it's important to make sure you understand every step of the process. In most cases, these aren't public auctions. The biggest deals happen behind the scenes, and the process is nothing like what most imagine. What Makes A Domain Worth Millions? Not all domain names are equal. Those that sell for multimillion-dollar prices tend to be short, widely relevant and ready for branding. Think about names like or In the industry, we call these category killers: single-word names that define an industry and provide instant trust, SEO benefits and market authority. They represent the definitive reason any company would spend $1 million (or more) on a domain. Length also counts. One-word .com domains are dominant, and two-word combinations that highlight an industry trend or product perform well. The extension is vital. Although more top-level domains are available, .com still leads in premium domain sales. It's not just about perception; business reasoning matters. Consumers remember .com, and companies trust it. The Role Of A Domain Broker When brokering high-value domains, discretion is just as crucial as the domain itself. Most of our clients, buyers and sellers, prefer keeping their names separate from the transaction. This is because these domains often hint at future strategy. If a company is about to launch a major product, it doesn't want to alert competitors by disclosing a domain purchase beforehand. This is where domain broker services come into play. Brokers serve as filters, strategists and closers. They vet buyers to ensure they are serious and have the funds. They present sellers' assets in the best light, often enhancing how the name is displayed or priced based on market timing. They also oversee every step of the communication process, keeping all parties aligned and maintaining anonymity when necessary. Inside The Negotiation Room Negotiations for agreements start well before discussing pricing. These agreements often begin with subtle signals, such as a conversation at an event or a careful message to test interest. In these instances, I will introduce non-disclosure agreements until both parties recognize mutual interest and adjust our processes accordingly. This isn't about just handling paperwork. It's about understanding psychology. In premium domain sales, decisions are often driven by emotions. Some sellers have held onto a domain for 20 years. Some buyers see it as the missing piece of a billion-dollar plan. Brokers guide that emotion using facts, market data, and strategy. Creative deal structures are common. I've seen offers involving cash plus equity, multi-year payment plans and licensing arrangements. It's rarely just a wire transfer and a goodbye handshake. Why You Don't Hear About Most Sales The public only sees a small part of what happens in this space. Most high-value domains are sold quietly without any fanfare or press releases. Why? Because both parties usually have something to protect. Maybe the seller doesn't want it known that they've cashed out. Perhaps the buyer plans a stealth launch. Many of these deals go through proxies or anonymous LLCs, which helps keep the deal clear and intentions private. That's not secrecy just for its own sake; it's an innovative business. The simplest term for it is stealth domain name acquisition. How Do You Price A Domain Like That? Valuing a domain name isn't like pricing a house. There's no MLS for premium digital assets. While historical comps help, each domain is unique. When assessing value, we look at keyword search volume, advertising competition, consumer behavior, brand potential and current market trends. Furthermore, value always depends on the buyer's perspective. If a startup believes a name aligns perfectly with its brand vision, it might go far beyond typical valuation logic. I've seen companies double their offer overnight once they realize the domain could secure investor meetings, media coverage or a better SEO ranking. Wrapping Up The Deal Once the terms are finalized, buyers, sellers and brokers often want to proceed quickly to complete the transaction. Escrow services are standard. I suggest using professionals to handle funds and domain transfers securely. The final steps often include DNS updates, registrar coordination and legal reviews, especially if intellectual property rights are involved. Speed and accuracy matter at this stage. One delay can scare off a buyer or cause second-guessing. I stay involved until the domain is fully transferred and both parties are satisfied. Why These Deals Are Only Getting Bigger With the rise of online business activity, the importance of identity and domain names has also grown. They are more than just URLs; they form the foundation of multi-billion-dollar companies. Premium domains demonstrate that a company is influential, trustworthy and ready to succeed. Every big deal I see reinforces my belief that this market is rapidly advancing in strategy, competitiveness and innovation. As for record-breaking sales? Those are happening; the public just hasn't heard the news yet. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Verisign Announces Secondary Offering of Common Stock by Selling Stockholders
RESTON, Va., July 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) (the "Company"), a global provider of critical internet infrastructure and domain name registry services, today announced the launch of an underwritten secondary offering (the "Offering") by affiliates of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire Hathaway"), of 4,300,000 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Stock"). The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the Offering. The Company is not selling any shares of Common Stock in the Offering and will not receive any proceeds from the Offering. The Offering is sized in order to reduce Berkshire Hathaway's beneficial ownership of the Company below the ten percent threshold that triggers additional regulatory obligations. Affiliates of Berkshire Hathaway have been stockholders of the Company since 2012, and Berkshire Hathaway has voluntarily agreed with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (the "Underwriter") that the remaining shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Berkshire Hathaway and its affiliates following the Offering will be subject to a 365-day lock-up agreement. The Underwriter is acting as the sole underwriter of the Offering. The selling stockholders also expect to grant the Underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 515,032 shares of Common Stock. The Offering will be made by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, which was filed as part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-288995), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and became effective on July 28, 2025. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to the Offering, as well as copies of the final prospectus supplement once available, may be obtained for free on the SEC's website at or by contacting: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or email: prospectus-eq_fi@ and postsalemanualrequests@ This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Verisign Verisign (NASDAQ: VRSN), a global provider of critical internet infrastructure and domain name registry services, enables internet navigation for many of the world's most recognized domain names. Verisign helps enable the security, stability, and resiliency of the Domain Name System and the internet by providing root zone maintainer services, operating two of the 13 global internet root servers, and providing registration services and authoritative resolution for the .com and .net top-level domains, which support the majority of global e-commerce. Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the closing of the Offering on the terms described, or at all. More information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Verisign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement. ©2025 VeriSign, Inc. All rights reserved. VERISIGN, the VERISIGN logo, and other trademarks, service marks, and designs are registered or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. View source version on Contacts Investor Relations: David Atchley, datchley@ 703-948-3447Media Relations: David McGuire, davmcguire@ 703-948-3800 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BrandBucket Acquires Novanym to Expand Discovery and Visibility of Brandable Domains
LOS ANGELES, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrandBucket Inc. ( a curated marketplace for domain names, today announced the acquisition of Novanym ( a platform known for creative, ready-to-use business names and logos. The move accelerates BrandBucket's strategy of presenting high-potential domains to more founders at the earliest stages of company formation while expanding its global network that drives traffic and sales for its sellers. This is BrandBucket's second acquisition in the brandable domain space, following the integration of Brandroot in 2019, and underscores its continued investment in expanding the reach and discoverability of unique, premium .com names. Novanym will be part of the broader BrandBucket Network, which comprises several startup-related websites, partner marketplaces, and affiliated business services. The BrandBucket Network is available to all domain names exclusively listed by domain investors on the BrandBucket marketplace. Margot Bushnaq, CEO & Co-Founder of BrandBucket, said: 'Our mission is simple: get great names in front of as many early-stage entrepreneurs as possible. Novanym adds strong search-engine visibility, a loyal base of repeat buyers, and proven authority in 'invented' or non-keyword domains – names that traditional keyword marketplaces often miss. By bringing Novanym into our ecosystem, we're expanding how, where, and by whom brandable domains are discovered, creating more opportunities for our sellers and richer choices for founders.' Novanym's expertise in inventive naming complements BrandBucket's broader initiative to surface brand-ready domains that break out of keyword constraints. Leveraging Novanym's existing search engine authority will boost visibility of the BrandBucket domain name inventory and make it easier for buyers worldwide to find distinctive, memorable names. Dave Clark & Vince Bridgman, Co-Founders of Novanym, added:'We've spent years building a trusted home for unique, visually packaged names. Joining forces with BrandBucket extends that vision onto a larger stage—benefiting both the entrepreneurs we serve and extending the opportunity to sellers whose names deserve greater exposure.' The integration immediately widens BrandBucket's funnel of inbound traffic and enhances the discoverability of domains, ultimately providing entrepreneurs with faster and clearer paths to the perfect brand name. About BrandBucket in 2005 and launched as a marketplace in 2007, BrandBucket is the only fully-curated marketplace for brandable .com domain names. Every name is carefully selected for its potential to become a strong, memorable brand, and is accompanied by a professionally designed logo and fair, upfront pricing. By combining creativity with structure, BrandBucket has helped thousands of startups bypass the traditional naming struggle and launch faster with confidence. With over 14,000 domains sold and more than $64 million in transactions, BrandBucket continues to grow a global network of buyers and sellers while expanding the visibility and discoverability of high-quality, brand-ready domain names. About NovanymNovanym is a premium domain name aftermarket website offering a curated catalog of unique and evocative business names with professionally designed logos. Renowned for its creative presentations and high customer return rate, Novanym has helped entrepreneurs worldwide launch memorable, visually cohesive brands. CONTACT: Zeena Marrin VP of Operations BrandBucket zeena@ +1(323)393-0684
