.ai is the country-code domain of Anguilla, and it has become the default extension for artificial intelligence companies. That popularity means most good .ai names are already registered, many by investors. Here's how to buy one that's taken.
Why .ai names are hard to get
Short and dictionary-word .ai names were snapped up early by investors and founders. Many now sit on marketplaces with high asking prices, and demand from funded AI startups keeps those prices firm.
Step 1: Check the domain's status
Run a WHOIS or RDAP lookup to see the registrar, creation date and expiry date. Look at what the domain shows: a marketplace "for sale" page, a parked page or a live product. Each tells you something about the owner and how they'll negotiate. Our guide to finding who owns a domain covers this in detail.
Step 2: Know the .ai specifics
- Registration terms: .ai has its own registry rules, and some registrars require multi-year registration periods. Check the renewal cost and term at your registrar before you buy.
- Transfers: .ai names can be pushed within a registrar or transferred between registrars that support .ai. Confirm yours does before closing.
- Country-code rules: .ai is governed by Anguilla's registry, not the rules that apply to .com. Dispute options and policies differ, so don't assume a .com-style process.
Step 3: Value it before you ask
Compare recent .ai sales of similar length and meaning. Remember that .ai prices are driven by AI funding cycles, so asking prices can run well ahead of what names actually sell for.
Step 4: Negotiate without revealing your company
A seller who learns that a funded AI company is asking will price accordingly. Keep the first contact neutral, or use an agent who negotiates under their own name.
Should you chase the .com instead?
For a company you expect to scale, the matching .com is still worth pricing out. It protects your email, your brand and your traffic from people who type .com by default. Many AI companies launch on .ai and buy the .com later, when it costs far more. Checking both now is cheaper.