Artificial Intelligence chooses a country level domain name

[Robert Brown (RLBrown)]

Hello SVMUG members and friends,

A ccTLD is a top-level domain (the suffix of an Internet-assigned name) that is controlled and marketed by a recognized nation. The explosion of AI-based businesses has led to the recent widespread adoption of the “AI” suffix.

As of early 2026, more than 1 million “. ai” domains have been registered globally, driving Anguilla's domain revenue to an estimated $70 million annually, making up a significant share of the island's government income and helping diversify its economy beyond tourism.

This is ongoing revenue because domain names must be renewed periodically. Which is great for the British Empire, as Anguilla is a UK territory. 

Of course, Tuvalu has been making money for years with the TV top-level domain. 

Not to overlook

• .cn (China): Widely recognized as the leading ccTLD by registration volume.
• .de (Germany): Consistently ranks as the top European ccTLD.
• .tk (Tokelau): Frequently used for free, high-volume, or disposable domain registrations.
• .uk (United Kingdom): Remains a major, high-volume country code. 

Unlike the above, the United States reserves its ccTLD for use only by citizens and corporations within the USA. That ccTLD is, of course, “.us”.

Other great TLD are these (per a list provided by GoDaddy):

• .com — Most popular domain extension for any business and widely recognized
• .net — Good for tech or web-based companies since it derives from the term “network”
• .org — Popular choice for non-governmental organizations or informational websites, but not suggested for commercial use.
• .co — Newer and shorter alternative to .com and more in line with younger generations
• .io — Originally tied to the British Indian Ocean Territory, but now popular with software, gaming, and tech startups for its modern, digital appeal.
• .xyz — A flexible, trendy option embraced by creators, web3 projects, and businesses seeking a unique or unconventional online identity.
• .shop — Designed for ecommerce sites, this extension clearly communicates that your website is a place to browse and buy products.
• .pro — Tailored for professionals and service providers who want to highlight their expertise and credibility online.
• .store — Similar to .shop, but often preferred by retail brands looking for a clean, direct way to showcase their online storefront. Read this guide to starting an online store for more details.
• .online — A versatile choice for businesses, personal brands, or digital creators wanting to emphasize their online presence.
• .inc — A premium extension that appeals to incorporated businesses seeking a polished, authoritative domain name.
• .llc — Ideal for limited liability companies that want to reinforce their business structure and legitimacy to visitors. 
• .info — Best suited for informational or educational websites where sharing knowledge or data is the primary goal

Robert Lawson Brown mail