30 Most Expensive Domain Names Ever Sold

Some of the most expensive domains in history have shaped entire industries — and set the stage for online empires.

You might not realize it, but a single domain name can be worth millions.

Why?

Because the right digital address isn’t just a URL — it’s your brand, your authority, and often your biggest marketing asset.

Owning the right domain name can launch your business into the stratosphere.

A single word. One powerful idea. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to stand out online — and why some domain names sell for millions.

You might think it’s just a web address. In reality, premium domains are digital assets, branding tools, and goldmines of organic traffic.

Here’s what makes these domains so valuable:

• Instant brand authority and trust
• Massive organic search traffic
• Easy recall for customers
• Scarcity — there’s only one of each .com
• Tremendous resale and investment value

But here’s the catch: Many believe only tech giants or global corporations need to care about premium domains. Others think you can just “make up” any name and succeed.

That’s not the case.

For inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of the most expensive domains ever sold, todate. Read on.

Why Do Some Domains Sell for Millions?

The answer to this pertinent question comes down to a mix of branding power, search potential, and market demand.

Here’s why top domains command million-dollar price tags:

• Instant brand recognition: Short, memorable names like Cars.com or Voice.com immediately stick in your mind. Big brands want names that are impossible to forget.
  
• Direct search value: Domains that exactly match high-traffic keywords—think Insurance.com or Hotels.com—can capture thousands of organic visitors every month, simply because people type these names into their browser.
  
• Authority and trust: A strong domain gives your business instant credibility. If you land on HealthInsurance.com, you trust the site more than a random, hard-to-spell competitor.
  
• Scarcity and exclusivity: There’s only one of each .com domain. Once a simple, powerful name is taken, it’s off the market. This creates intense competition among buyers.
  
• Investment potential: Some investors treat domains like real estate, holding onto valuable names until the right buyer comes along — sometimes years later.
  
• Industry trends: As new technologies or trends emerge, related domains skyrocket in value. This is why AI.com and NFTs.com reached the top of recent sales charts.

If a domain offers broad appeal, immediate trust, or industry leadership, companies are willing to pay millions.

For most businesses, the right domain is the digital foundation of their brand.

The Top 30 Most Expensive Domain Sales

Rank	Domain	Price (USD)	Year	Notes
1	Cars.com	$872 million	2014	Used for company valuation
2	Business.com	Up to $350M	2007	Disputed, but legendary
3	LasVegas.com	$90 million	2005	Paid over 35 years
4	CarInsurance.com	$49.7 million	2010	Purchased by QuinStreet
5	Insurance.com	$35.6 million	2010	Also QuinStreet
6	VacationRentals.com	$35 million	2007	HomeAway acquisition
7	PrivateJet.com	$30.18 million	2012	Don’t confuse with privatejets.com
8	Voice.com	$30 million	2019	Block.one (crypto project)
9	Internet.com	$18 million	2009	Sold to QuinStreet
10	360.com	$17 million	2015	Sold to Qihoo 360 (China)
11	Insure.com	$16 million	2009	Still insurance industry
12	Chat.com	$15.5 million	2023	Messaging-related purchase
13	NFTs.com	$15 million	2022	Crypto/NFT boom
14	Rocket.com	$14 million	2024	Fintech or rocket startup
15	Icon.com	$12 million	2025	Brand-focused purchase
16	AI.com	$11 million	2023	Artificial intelligence interest
17	Tesla.com	$11 million	2014	Acquired by Tesla from private seller
18	Hotels.com	$11 million	2001	One of the earliest big deals
19	Connect.com	$10 million	2022	Social networking angle
20	Porn.com	$9.5 million	2007	Adult industry
21	Shoes.com	$9 million	2017	Retail/e-commerce
22	Porno.com	$8.8 million	2015	Adult industry
23	Fb.com	$8.5 million	2010	Facebook acquisition
24	HealthInsurance.com	$8.13 million	2019	Health industry
25	We.com	$8 million	2015	Branding appeal
26	Diamond.com	$7.5 million	2006	Jewelry e-commerce
27	Beer.com	$7 million	2004	Beverage industry
28	Z.com	$6.8 million	2014	Sold to GMO Internet (Japan)
29	Slots.com	$5.5 million	2010	Online casino
30	Casino.com	$5.5 million	2003	Online casino

1) Cars.com

Cars.com represents the pinnacle of domain sales. It’s a household name for buying and selling cars online.

The sale wasn’t just about a digital address; it was tied to the valuation of an entire business, making it an anchor example in discussions about digital asset value.

If you’re thinking about the value of your domain, remember that business assets, branding, and market share all contribute to headline prices.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $872 million
• Year: 2014
• Buyer: Gannett Company (as part of company spin-off)
• Reason for value: Part of business valuation, not just domain
• Category: Automotive marketplace

2) Business.com

Business.com became famous as the symbol of the first dot-com boom and bust, only to resurface years later as one of the highest domain sales.

For any company in B2B, “business” is the holy grail keyword. This name conveys authority, trust, and search dominance.

The backstory includes stock swaps, acquisitions, and lots of domain drama.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: Up to $350 million
• Year: 2007
• Buyer: R.H. Donnelley (acquisition included the website)
• Reason for value: B2B search, massive brand potential
• Category: Business directory, media

3) LasVegas.com

LasVegas.com is the ultimate travel and entertainment domain.

The buyer secured the name to dominate every search and business tied to the city’s huge hospitality and tourism industry.

The massive price tag was stretched out in a payment plan that spans decades — a rare structure in domain deals.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $90 million
• Year: 2005
• Buyer: Vegas.com LLC
• Reason for value: Long-term contract, city authority
• Category: Travel, tourism

4) CarInsurance.com

CarInsurance.com is the gold standard for exact-match keyword domains.

The buyer, QuinStreet, leveraged it to funnel massive amounts of web traffic and leads in the hyper-competitive insurance industry.

For anyone in lead generation, the ROI on a top domain can be staggering.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $49.7 million
• Year: 2010
• Buyer: QuinStreet
• Reason for value: Keyword dominance, search value
• Category: Insurance, lead generation

5) Insurance.com

Insurance.com is another trophy in QuinStreet’s domain empire.

The name is broad, generic, and incredibly lucrative—think about every type of insurance product and ad campaign routed through this site.

It’s a perfect example of a domain that pays for itself through targeted, high-value leads.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $35.6 million
• Year: 2010
• Buyer: QuinStreet
• Reason for value: Universal insurance keyword, massive search volume
• Category: Insurance, finance

6) VacationRentals.com

VacationRentals.com became legendary because it was acquired mainly to block a competitor, Expedia, from snapping it up.

HomeAway, now part of Vrbo, used the domain to capture travelers searching for property rentals, showing how a simple domain can serve both offensive and defensive strategies in business.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $35 million
• Year: 2007
• Buyer: HomeAway (now Vrbo/Expedia)
• Reason for value: Competitive block, travel search
• Category: Vacation rentals, travel

7) PrivateJet.com

PrivateJet.com sits at the top of the luxury travel sector.

The domain brings instant credibility and top search rankings for a high-ticket, exclusive industry. If you want to attract celebrities, executives, and the ultra-wealthy, there’s no better address.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $30.18 million
• Year: 2012
• Buyer: Nations Luxury Transportation, LLC
• Reason for value: Premium niche, high-value leads
• Category: Aviation, luxury

8) Voice.com

Voice.com is one of the largest cash-only domain deals ever.

Block.one, a blockchain and crypto company, bought it to launch a new social network. The name “voice” is simple, powerful, and open-ended, appealing to multiple industries.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $30 million
• Year: 2019
• Buyer: Block.one
• Reason for value: Universal appeal, blockchain buzz
• Category: Social, blockchain, media

9) Internet.com

Internet.com is the ultimate generic domain for anything digital. QuinStreet snapped it up as part of its strategy to dominate information and affiliate marketing.

If you own a domain with “internet” in the name, you have digital gold.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $18 million
• Year: 2009
• Buyer: QuinStreet
• Reason for value: Broad authority, online relevance
• Category: Information, affiliate, tech

10) 360.com

360.com shows that sometimes numbers are just as valuable as words.

Chinese tech company Qihoo 360 acquired this domain as part of its global branding push, and the number “360” carries strong tech and security connotations.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $17 million
• Year: 2015
• Buyer: Qihoo 360 (China)
• Reason for value: Brand internationalization, simplicity
• Category: Tech, security

11) Insure.com

Insure.com is another insurance juggernaut domain.

The sale shows how much companies are willing to pay for authority and lead generation in the finance and insurance space.

High CPC (cost per click) keywords drive up the value.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $16 million
• Year: 2009
• Buyer: QuinStreet
• Reason for value: Insurance keyword, lead generation
• Category: Insurance, finance

12) Chat.com

Chat.com is a dream domain for any messaging app, social platform, or AI chatbot company.

Its simplicity and clarity make it instantly valuable, and the recent rise in conversational AI only increases its worth.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $15.5 million
• Year: 2023
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Messaging, AI, universality
• Category: Messaging, AI

13) NFTs.com

NFTs.com rode the wave of the NFT boom. It’s a classic example of how trending tech topics can create a sudden spike in domain prices.

The short, direct domain offers instant trust and discoverability in the NFT world.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $15 million
• Year: 2022
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: NFT industry surge
• Category: Crypto, digital assets

14) Rocket.com

Rocket.com is explosive, versatile, and exciting—qualities that appeal to fintech, space startups, and marketing firms.

The sale price reflects both its branding power and the current fascination with all things “rocket.”

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $14 million
• Year: 2024
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Versatility, trendiness
• Category: Tech, finance, aerospace

15) Icon.com

Icon.com is short, brandable, and instantly recognized across languages. This domain has broad appeal, from fashion to tech to branding agencies.

That makes it a timeless digital asset.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $12 million
• Year: 2025
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Universal branding potential
• Category: Branding, tech

16) AI.com

AI.com is a showcase of how artificial intelligence now dominates tech.

With two simple letters, you capture the hottest industry and a keyword everyone wants to own. Startups and AI giants all crave this domain.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $11 million
• Year: 2023
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Industry trend, extreme brevity
• Category: Artificial intelligence, tech

17) Tesla.com

Tesla.com was a long-running pursuit for Elon Musk, who eventually bought it to complete the Tesla Motors brand.

Before this, Tesla used teslamotors.com. The domain is now the official face of the global EV giant.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $11 million
• Year: 2014
• Buyer: Tesla, Inc. (Elon Musk)
• Reason for value: Brand consolidation
• Category: Automotive, electric vehicles

18) Hotels.com

Hotels.com was an early sign that one-word generic domains could define entire industries. The domain has since become a leading travel brand.

Its age also adds to its SEO authority.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $11 million
• Year: 2001
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Travel industry leader
• Category: Travel, hotels

19) Connect.com

Connect.com means networking, community, and collaboration. It’s the perfect name for social, dating, or business networking sites, and its universal meaning keeps it valuable for generations.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $10 million
• Year: 2022
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Universal networking appeal
• Category: Social, networking

20) Porn.com

Porn.com is one of the highest-profile adult domain sales ever. It’s easy to remember, attracts massive traffic, and has direct search value.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $9.5 million
• Year: 2007
• Buyer: MXN Limited
• Reason for value: Massive traffic, adult market
• Category: Adult, entertainment

21) Shoes.com

Shoes.com signals instant authority in footwear retail. E-commerce giants see huge value in these exact-match domains, as they instantly build trust and are easy to market.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $9 million
• Year: 2017
• Buyer: Walmart
• Reason for value: E-commerce authority
• Category: E-commerce, fashion

22) Porno.com

Porno.com demonstrates how even foreign-language or slang domains are valuable in the adult industry. With high organic type-in traffic and global interest, it’s a strong digital investment.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $8.8 million
• Year: 2015
• Buyer: WGCZ Holding
• Reason for value: High type-in, global market
• Category: Adult, entertainment

23) Fb.com

Fb.com was acquired by Facebook for internal use, including employee emails and URL shortening. Owning the abbreviation allowed Facebook to secure its branding across all channels.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $8.5 million
• Year: 2010
• Buyer: Facebook
• Reason for value: Shortening, branding
• Category: Social media, tech

24) HealthInsurance.com

HealthInsurance.com puts you at the top of Google for one of the highest-competition, highest-payout keywords.

The sale price shows just how important SEO and trust are in the health finance industry.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $8.13 million
• Year: 2019
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Top keyword, high CPC
• Category: Insurance, health

25) We.com

We.com is an incredibly rare two-letter, single-syllable .com domain.

Its versatility and memorable nature mean it will always have global value, no matter the business model.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $8 million
• Year: 2015
• Buyer: Undisclosed
• Reason for value: Short, universal
• Category: Social, branding

26) Diamond.com

Diamond.com is the crown jewel for anyone in jewelry retail.

High-ticket luxury items paired with the ultimate keyword make this a dream domain for e-commerce and branding.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $7.5 million
• Year: 2006
• Buyer: Ice.com
• Reason for value: Luxury market, instant authority
• Category: Jewelry, luxury

27) Beer.com

Beer.com isn’t just for breweries.

Any beverage or hospitality company can leverage this iconic name. It has global appeal and endless marketing potential.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $7 million
• Year: 2004
• Buyer: Interbrew
• Reason for value: Global beverage industry
• Category: Beverage, hospitality

28) Z.com

Z.com is one of only three single-letter .com domains in existence. Japanese tech giant GMO Internet acquired it for branding and global recognition.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $6.8 million
• Year: 2014
• Buyer: GMO Internet (Japan)
• Reason for value: Extreme rarity, branding
• Category: Tech, branding

29) Slots.com

Slots.com puts the casino world at your fingertips.

The online gambling industry continues to grow, and owning a category-defining domain brings massive organic traffic and trust.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $5.5 million
• Year: 2010
• Buyer: Bodog Brand
• Reason for value: Online casino, trust
• Category: Gambling, entertainment

30) Casino.com

Casino.com is another casino powerhouse. The domain covers every type of online gambling, and for the buyer, it’s a bet that pays off year after year in branding and search.

Quick facts:

• Amount sold: $5.5 million
• Year: 2003
• Buyer: Mansion Limited
• Reason for value: Global gambling market
• Category: Gambling, entertainment

What Makes a Domain Name Worth Millions?

Not every short domain will fetch a fortune. Here’s what the market looks for:

• Exact-match keywords: Domains like CarInsurance.com and Hotels.com match high-value searches.
• Short and simple: AI.com, Z.com, and Fb.com show the power of brevity.
• Industry relevance: Insurance, travel, adult, and tech are recurring themes.
• Global appeal: Domains with worldwide relevance get more attention.
• Speculation and timing: The rise of crypto, NFTs, and AI has driven up new domain values.

Tip: If you own a domain that checks even two of these boxes, you have a strong asset.

How to Buy or Sell Premium Domains

If you’re planning to buy or sell domains, don’t approach it like an ordinary marketplace listing.

Key steps:

1. Research your domain’s true value: Use NameBio, Sedo, and DNJournal to find comparable sales.
2. Get expert help: Use domain brokers if the sale price is expected to be high.
3. Negotiate securely: Use escrow services for payment protection — Escrow.com is industry standard.
4. Understand taxes and legalities: Some sales include stock, earnouts, or long-term payment plans.
5. Track the market: Watch platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and DomainNameWire.

What You Can Learn from These Sales

• One domain can change your business trajectory.
• Digital land rushes happen every few years—watch for emerging trends.
• A great domain is more than a brand—it’s an asset that can be sold for millions.

If you want to own the next “most expensive domain name,” start scouting for trends early and act decisively.

How to Secure Your Own Premium Domain

Landing one of the most expensive domains in the world may sound out of reach, but you don’t need a seven-figure budget to start building your own digital empire.

Every industry giant once started with a simple idea — and the perfect domain name to match.

If you want to set yourself apart, start with a strong domain. The right name gives you instant credibility, better search rankings, and a competitive edge — even before you launch your website.

But here’s the secret: You don’t have to navigate the domain maze alone.

Truehost puts you in the driver’s seat with a platform designed for ambitious brands and savvy investors.

At Truehost, you can:

• Search and register premium .com, .ke, .org, .shop, .net, .buzz, co.ke, .africa, and hundreds of other extensions — all in seconds
• Lock down your brand with powerful security and free privacy protection
• Access transparent, affordable pricing without surprise renewal fees
• Get expert support if you’re hunting for a rare or high-value domain

Ready to claim your digital territory?
Explore available domains now and secure a name that could transform your business story.

With the right domain, you aren’t just building a website. You’re building a legacy.

Quick Takeaways

• Premium domain names are a serious investment, not just vanity purchases.
• Many of the most expensive domain names were bought by big brands to dominate their industry.
• If you’re interested in the latest sales, check live reports on DNJournal or weekly updates from Sedo.

A single word, a powerful idea, or the next tech wave — these are the clues to tomorrow’s record-breaking domain sale.

If you want to see where the action is right now, keep an eye on DNJournal’s sales charts and Sedo’s weekly reports. Your million-dollar domain might be one idea away…