​​Are .IO Domains Good? Complete 2025 Guide

In the past few years, .io domains have become the go-to for tech companies and startups all around the globe. GitHub, CodePen, Codecademy — all of these names sport .io domain extensions. These aren’t your ordinary domain names; they’ve established their own little niche within the World Wide Web. But is it a good one? We’ll cover the benefits and drawbacks of .io domains, their SEO impact, the price you should expect, and most importantly, if they’re actually a good fit for your business.

What is a .IO Domain?

A .io domain, in the strictest sense, is a ccTLD originally designated for the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, the .io domain has been effectively “domesticated” and stands as one of the most popular generic domains in the tech sector.

But the magic lies in the abbreviation itself: “I/O” stands for “input/output” in computing terminology. This connection is precisely why the domain has gained such traction in technology circles, translating as relatable to developers, engineers, tech gurus, or entrepreneurs.  Currently managed by Identity Digital (formerly Afilias), .io domains are available for global registration with no residency requirements.

Are .IO Domains Dead? Analyzing Recent Claims

After Mauritius and the United Kingdom reportedly reached an agreement for the latter to return the Chagos Islands, certain business owners have raised concerns about the continued viability of .io domains, fearing they may become inactive. The short answer is no: .io domains aren’t dead, and several long-term outcomes can preserve the current setup, despite recent news.

What’s Actually Happening

As of 2024, there’s more context to provide a clearer picture of what may occur. According to experts in the domain policy space, if the current ISO country code ‘IO’ is officially retired (as a result of territorial changes) it would enter a 5-year retirement period during which time existing registrants could migrate to successor domains.

The new arrangement would be under the purview of the ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency, which sets aside country codes not only for domain purposes, but for use on customs forms, passports, and even bank forms.

Preserving .IO: Scenarios That Aren’t “The End”

In addition, experts highlight several other scenarios under which the .io domains would be able to continue operating:

• Assignment to Mauritius: The control of the ccTLD would simply be transferred to Mauritius, who may continue to allow it to be used as a gTLD.
• Generic conversion: The extension would become genericized and used purely for commercial purposes, as the .tv ccTLD from Tuvalu is.
• Special treatment: IANA can still make special carve-outs for the registry as it’s in widespread use.
• Status quo: Continuation of current operations irrespective of the outcome, in light of its economic value.

Chances Are, .IO is Here to Stay

On the one hand, the situation might appear dire as a result of territorial shifts, however, several other factors may still keep it viable:

• Economic interest: There are over 1.7 million .io domains currently registered. Domain registry income would be lost.
• The strong vested interest of all stakeholders, including Mauritius, is in continuing to operate the .io extension.
• Political and historical precedent: Other valuable ccTLDs in the past have had their designations retained through territorial disputes.
• Established use: There is too much investment in the tech industry for the extension to suddenly be dropped or switched out.

Don’t Panic, Plan Accordingly

As of 2024, .io domains are continuing operations as usual, and there are no specific actions registrants need to take. All parties in the situation have a financial and vested interest in its preservation; however, those with .io domains should continue to monitor the situation for official updates by registry operators and take note of these specific use-cases. Planning for either a status quo outcome or a 5-year transition period can be helpful contingency plans for organizations that rely on .io domains.

Tradeoffs

Though the .io extension is expensive and can come with a few drawbacks, it also has plenty of unique benefits to offer. The advantages of .io domains have made this extension a favorite for thousands of tech startups and companies from all over the world. Let’s take a look at the major upsides and downsides of .io domains for startups and businesses in the technology industry.

Pros of Using .IO Domains

Despite the costs, .io domains bring clear advantages that can set tech companies apart. From instant industry credibility to better name availability, the benefits are hard to ignore.

• Appeal to Tech Industry: An .io domain is a clear indicator to other people in the industry that you work in technology. It’ll lend you an instant psychological edge when talking to other developers, investors or potential customers. If your company is trying to raise money or gain adoption, this can be highly valuable.
• Better Name Availability: There are currently over 170 Million registered .com domains, and almost all the short, memorable names in the dictionary are already taken. Finding good domain names at .com is now extremely challenging. An .io domain also allows for more “domain hacking” to make a memorable brandable domain. Domain hacks integrate the domain extension into the main brand name.
• SEO Benefits: There’s a common myth that country code domains like .io are subject to certain geographical restrictions and won’t rank well on Google’s search engine. However, Google officially treats .io as a generic top-level domain rather than a country code top-level domain for search purposes.

Cons of Using .IO Domains

Despite the advantages of .io domains, there are several potential pitfalls to be aware of. It’s important for businesses to understand these drawbacks before making a decision about whether or not a .io domain is the right choice for them.

• Higher Costs: The average price for a .com domain is $10-15 per year, while the average price for a .io domain is $30-100 per year for registration and renewal.
• Lack of Awareness Outside of the Tech Industry: Takes on consumer behavior have shown that .com domains possess the highest trust and memorability scores for all types of consumers. Other extensions like .io, .app, .dev, and .fun received lower scores, especially among non-technical audiences.
• Geopolitical Uncertainties: As mentioned earlier in our discussion of .io domain stability, the political and legal uncertainty surrounding the British Indian Ocean Territory represents a legitimate concern for some businesses.

.IO vs .COM vs .AI: Making the Right Choice

The decision between .io, .com, and .ai domains ultimately depends on your business context and audience. Comparative studies of domain performance indicate that all three extensions can achieve similar SEO results when properly optimized.

Choose .IO When:

• Your ideal .com is unavailable or prohibitively expensive
• Your target audience is tech-savvy (developers, startups, investors)
• You want to signal innovation and modernity
• You’re building developer tools or technical products
• You need creative domain hacking opportunities (portfol.io, stud.io)
• Budget allows for $30-100/year premium pricing

Choose .COM When:

• Your ideal .com name is available and affordable
• Targeting mainstream consumers across all demographics
• Operating in traditional industries (retail, healthcare, finance)
• Working with limited budgets ($10-15/year)
• Maximum trust and memorability are priorities
• Serving older or less tech-savvy audiences

Choose .AI When:

• Your business specifically focuses on artificial intelligence
• You have an immediate AI/machine learning association
• Your Target audience includes AI researchers or enthusiasts
• Budget accommodates premium pricing ($80-100/year)
• The .ai extension enhances your brand name (openai.com uses .com, but many AI startups prefer .ai)

Cost Comparison:

• .COM: $10-15/year
• .IO: $30-100/year
• .AI: $80-100/year

Industry Recognition:

• .COM: Universal recognition across all industries
• .IO: Strong recognition in tech/startup communities
• .AI: Growing recognition in AI and tech sectors

Availability:

• .COM: Limited availability (160M+ registrations)
• .IO: Better availability (1.6M+ registrations)
• .AI: Best availability for quality names (610K+ registrations)

The key is alignment between your domain choice and brand strategy. Domain extensions should reinforce rather than contradict your intended brand positioning.

Consider Alternatives to .io if:

• Businesses are Operating Offline-First: If your business primarily operates in offline markets or doesn’t have a significant online presence, using a .io domain may introduce confusion among your customers or clients.
• You’re Targeting Non-Technical Audiences: If your website is specifically targeted at a non-technical audience, you may want to stick to the .com domain, as it is more familiar and recognized.
• Budget Constraints: If you’re working with a limited budget, the premium cost of .io domains might not align with your investment priorities. It’s worth considering if the cost justifies the branding benefits for your specific industry or niche.

Remember, while the .io domain can have branding advantages, it’s essential to assess whether it aligns with your overall business strategy and target audience.

Next Steps

Consistent, strategic domain choices — whether .com, .io, or some other extension — are less important than how they align with the business’s broader goals and whether they resonate with the specific target audience.

Want to get your .io domain? Start by looking for some options to check out and see what’s available, then compare registrar features and pricing and select what fits your business’s needs and long-term digital strategy best.

.io domain registration is similar to other top-level domains (TLDs). It’s possible through accredited registrars such as:

• Namecheap
• GoDaddy
• Porkbun

Following cybersecurity best practices, it is advisable to select registrars that provide strong security features such as two-factor authentication and domain locking.