The global domain name industry maintained steady growth in the second quarter of 2025, with total registrations across all top-level domains (TLDs) reaching 371.7 million, according to Verisign’s latest Domain Name Industry Brief. The figure marks an increase of 2.7 million from the previous quarter and 2.6 percent year over year, indicating a market that continues to expand even as it matures.
Gradual Expansion Reflects Market Maturity
Analysts note that while domain registration growth has slowed from the pandemic-era surge, it remains consistent and broad-based. Verisign’s Q2 2025 data shows that global demand is now driven more by diversification than by sheer volume. Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations are focusing on optimizing their existing digital presence and experimenting with niche domain extensions that better align with their brands.
Industry observers writing for CircleID and RealtimeRegister highlighted that this moderation in growth reflects a healthy, sustainable phase. Rather than speculative registrations, new domains today are being registered for genuine business and creative uses, supported by better infrastructure, cybersecurity standards, and more accessible hosting services.
.COM and .NET Maintain Strong Core Presence
The .com and .net TLDs, both operated by Verisign, remain the foundation of the global domain ecosystem. Combined, they accounted for roughly 174 million registrations by mid-2025. The .com domain continues to grow steadily, adding over 1.2 million names since the previous quarter, according to Domain Name Wire’s analysis of Verisign’s earnings report.
However, the .net extension remains stable rather than expanding, as many new registrants explore modern, descriptive alternatives like .app, .io, and .tech. These newer options are especially popular with startups and developers seeking a fresher digital identity in crowded online markets.
Emerging Domains and Country Codes Drive Innovation
Growth in the domain landscape is now being fueled largely by country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) and innovative new gTLDs. The Caribbean island of Anguilla continues to benefit from the ongoing surge in .ai domain registrations, reflecting the tech industry’s fascination with artificial intelligence. Similarly, ccTLDs such as .de (Germany), .uk (United Kingdom), and .cn (China) maintain strong adoption levels due to consumer trust and regulatory familiarity.
Newer gTLDs like .xyz, .shop, and .online also continue to gain momentum. According to Hostinger’s latest industry statistics, .xyz now ranks among the most registered nontraditional extensions worldwide, thanks in part to its affordability and wide availability across registrars.
Growth in Emerging Regions
The Q2 2025 data reveals that Asia-Pacific and African markets are among the fastest-growing segments in domain registrations. Expanding internet penetration, combined with mobile-first web platforms and government initiatives promoting digital entrepreneurship, are helping new businesses establish online identities more easily.
In India and Nigeria, for example, the combination of affordable domain packages and mobile-based website builders has opened doors for thousands of small enterprises to go online for the first time. RealtimeRegister’s commentary on the Verisign report also emphasized that localized TLDs are gaining favor among regional companies seeking national visibility and linguistic relevance.
Security, Retention, and Consolidation Trends
Security and domain renewal rates continue to play a major role in industry stability. Established domains, particularly under .com, enjoy consistently high renewal rates, showing that domain owners are investing long term in their online presence.
Meanwhile, registries are increasing their investment in DNSSEC and abuse-prevention systems to counter phishing, typosquatting, and fraudulent domain use. Alongside these technical measures, business consolidation is reshaping the industry. Deals like Com Laude’s acquisition of MarkMonitor underscore how enterprise-focused services and brand-protection portfolios are becoming central to the competitive landscape.
Outlook for 2026: Sustainable, Technology-Driven Growth
Looking ahead, the domain industry is expected to maintain its steady trajectory. Verisign and other registries forecast a global growth rate between 2 and 3 percent for 2026, driven by innovation in AI, blockchain, and Web3-related naming systems.
Experts suggest that the rise of artificial intelligence tools could continue to fuel demand for relevant domain names, while decentralized identity and domain technology may gradually redefine how online ownership and branding function. However, as Hostinger’s market review noted, sustaining growth will depend on balancing innovation with stability, ensuring domain security, and managing pricing pressures across registries.
