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Google Domains reaches 2 million .com milestone

Google Domains Achieves 9th Largest .com Registrar Status: October 2018 Market Analysis

The domain name registration landscape is constantly evolving, with companies vying for market share in this critical aspect of the internet ecosystem. A recent report from ICANN, utilizing data provided by Verisign (NASDAQ: VRSN), offers a fascinating snapshot of the .com namespace as of October 2018. This registrar-by-registrar breakdown reveals significant shifts in the rankings, most notably the impressive ascent of Google Domains.

Domain Registrar Market Share October 2018

Google Domains’ Remarkable Growth

As anticipated by industry analysts, Google Domains has officially surpassed GMO to secure its position as the 9th largest registrar for .com domains. By the end of October 2018, Google Domains boasted a portfolio of over 2 million .com domains under its management. This milestone underscores Google’s growing commitment to the domain registration market and its increasing appeal to individuals and businesses seeking reliable and user-friendly domain management services.

Consolidated Reporting for United Internet

Starting with this particular report, a significant change has been implemented in how United Internet’s registrars are categorized. To provide a more comprehensive and accurate representation of their market presence, the data now consolidates figures from multiple United Internet entities, including but not limited to 1&1. This aggregated view offers a clearer picture of the overall influence of United Internet within the domain registration industry.

New .com Registrations: October 2018 Leaderboard

The following list showcases the top 10 registrars based on the number of new .com registrations acquired during October 2018. This metric provides valuable insight into the current growth trajectory of each registrar and their ability to attract new customers.

  1. GoDaddy.com* (NYSE: GDDY): 893,103 (Up from 868,031 in September)
  2. Alibaba (HiChina): 204,213 (Up from 133,156 in September)
  3. Tucows** (NASDAQ:TCX): 183,542 (Up from 174,114 in September)
  4. NameCheap Inc.: 139,033 (Down slightly from 139,581 in September)
  5. Xin Net Technology Corporation: 135,590 (Down from 170,284 in September)
  6. Endurance+ (NASDAQ: EIGI): 130,915 (Down from 143,179 in September)
  7. Web.com++: 105,815 (Up from 99,859 in September)
  8. Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL): 92,312 (Up from 85,550 in September)
  9. United Internet^: 71,257 (New consolidated figure)
  10. NameSilo: 68,758 (Down from 88,409 in September)

GoDaddy continues to dominate the new registration market, demonstrating its strong brand recognition and effective marketing strategies. Alibaba experienced a significant surge in new registrations, highlighting its growing presence in the global domain market. Tucows consistently performs well, maintaining its position as a leading registrar. It’s important to note the fluctuations in registrations from month to month, which can be influenced by various factors such as promotional campaigns and market trends.

Total .com Registrations: October 2018 Rankings

This leaderboard presents the top registrars ranked by their total number of .com domains under management as of the end of October 2018. This metric provides a comprehensive view of each registrar’s overall market share and long-term performance.

  1. GoDaddy* 49,222,603 (Up from 49,079,269 in September)
  2. Tucows** 12,709,575 (Down from 12,751,782 in September)
  3. Endurance+ 7,240,990 (Down from 7,335,322 in September)
  4. Web.com++ 6,730,384 (Up from 6,722,165 in September)
  5. Alibaba 5,972,559 (Up from 5,852,659 in September)
  6. United Internet^ 5,675,949 (Up significantly from 3,688,497 in September due to consolidated reporting)
  7. Namecheap 4,452,551 (Up from 4,405,568 in September)
  8. Xin Net Technology Corporation 2,639,761 (Up from 2,522,185 in September)
  9. Google 2,005,816 (Up from 1,953,943 in September)
  10. GMO 1,975,188 (Down from 1,979,668 in September)

GoDaddy’s dominance in total registrations is undeniable, holding a commanding lead over all other registrars. Tucows maintains a strong second-place position. The significant jump in United Internet’s ranking is directly attributed to the consolidation of its various registrar entities. Google Domains’ entry into the top 10 further solidifies its position as a major player in the domain registration market.

Important Notes on Registrar Groupings

It’s crucial to understand that many domain companies operate with multiple accreditations. To provide a more accurate representation of market share, this report consolidates data from the largest entities within these groups. The following notes clarify these groupings:

  • * GoDaddy: Includes both GoDaddy and Wild West Domains.
  • ** Tucows: Includes both Tucows and Enom.
  • + Endurance+: Includes PDR, Domain.com, FastDomain, and Bigrock. While Endurance operates other registrars, these are the most significant in terms of domain volume.
  • ++ Web.com: Includes Network Solutions and Register.com.
  • ^ United Internet: Includes 1&1, PSI, Cronon, United-Domains, Arsys, and world4you. This consolidated figure provides a more accurate reflection of United Internet’s overall market presence.

Conclusion: A Dynamic Domain Market

The October 2018 .com domain registration report paints a picture of a dynamic and competitive market. GoDaddy remains the undisputed leader, but companies like Alibaba and Google Domains are making significant strides. The consolidation of United Internet’s registrars provides a clearer view of their market influence. These reports are essential for understanding the trends and shifts shaping the domain name industry, providing valuable insights for businesses and individuals alike. The domain market is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including brand recognition, pricing strategies, customer service, and technological innovation. Registrars who can effectively navigate these challenges are best positioned for long-term success. Furthermore, the increasing importance of online presence for businesses of all sizes fuels continued growth in the domain registration market. As more companies recognize the value of a strong online identity, the demand for domain names is likely to continue its upward trajectory, creating further opportunities for registrars to expand their market share. This continued growth also presents challenges, such as maintaining security and combating domain name abuse, which registrars must actively address to ensure the integrity of the internet ecosystem.