World's Most Expensive Domains
When it comes to the internet, domain names are crucial. They serve as the digital address for websites and are an essential part of branding and recognition. Some domain names are so valuable that they come with a hefty price tag. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most expensive domain purchases in history and the impact they have had on the companies that bought them.
1. Chat.com
In 2024, OpenAI made headlines when they purchased Chat.com for a staggering $15.5 million. This acquisition came on the heels of their purchase of AI.com from Google for $11 million the previous year. OpenAI bought Chat.com to promote their flagship conversational AI platform, ChatGPT. By securing a trustworthy URL, OpenAI was able to consolidate its presence in the conversational AI space and make its services more accessible to users.
According to data from Semrush, ChatGPT receives over 500 million monthly searches and attracts 1.2 million visits. On average, visitors spend 10 minutes and 56 seconds on the site, with a bounce rate of 87.11%.
2. Tesla.com
In 2016, Tesla Motors made a significant move by acquiring the domain Tesla.com for $11 million. This purchase came after years of negotiations and was part of Tesla's transition from a car manufacturer to an energy provider. The streamlined domain helped improve brand clarity and global awareness for the company.
Search interest in Tesla has steadily increased over the years, with peaks in March. According to Semrush, Tesla.com receives 27.8 million visits, with an average visit duration of 7 minutes and 55 seconds. The bounce rate for the site is 38.73%.
3. Facebook.com
In 2010, Facebook made a splash in the domain world by purchasing Fb.com for $8.5 million. This acquisition was revealed in an SEC filing by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the domain's former owner. Facebook acquired the short URL for its internal email system and branded URL shortening for users.
Despite its peak popularity, Facebook still garners over 750 million monthly searches, with 30.2 million visits recorded on Semrush. Visitors to the site view an average of 1.3 pages and spend 14 minutes and 43 seconds on the site, with a bounce rate of 84.87%.
4. Beer.com
One of the earliest big-ticket domain sales was in 2004 when Beer.com was purchased for $7 million by Interbrew (now Anheuser-Busch InBev). The domain was initially bought by two Canadian entrepreneurs for $80,000. In 2021, Beer.com was auctioned off along with 26 other beer-related domains in various languages for $1 million to $5 million.
As of 2025, Beer.com remains a significant domain in the industry, with its main page inviting visitors to “Own the name, own the industry”. Data from Semrush shows that Beer.com receives 1.7k visits, with visitors spending an average of 1 minute and 10 seconds on the site and a bounce rate of 78.68%.
These domain acquisitions showcase the value of a memorable and relevant URL in today's digital age. From promoting AI platforms to solidifying corporate identity, these purchases have had a lasting impact on the companies that made them. As the internet continues to evolve, we can expect to see more high-value domain sales in the future.
