The Biggest Domain Name Sales in History
Introduction
In the last few years, some of the biggest domain name sales occurred. As of this writing, the most expensive domain is “sex.com”, which was sold on 11/16/2010 for the incredible amount of $13,000,000. Furthermore, there are currently 67 domain names that were sold for $1,000,000 or more. The question is, why would somebody pay millions of dollars just for a domain name? The answer is quite simple, actually. These domains have a great online advertising potential, since they are based on keywords searched by millions of people every day. Owners of these domains can earn great amounts of money only on advertising. In the following paragraphs, find out about the biggest domain name sales - which domains these are, to whom were they sold and at what amounts.
Biggest Domain Name Sale #1: sex.com
Registered on May 9, 1994 by an entrepreneur Gary Kremen, sex.com domain was the subject of criminal actions when an American criminal Stephen M. Cohen acquired the domain through a number of different frauds. Eventually, Kremen won a legal battle over the subject and restored the domain rights. In January 2006, Gary Kremen sold sex.com to Escom LLC, for a reported price of $14,000,000. After Escom LLC bankrupted, the domain was put on an auction and eventually bought by Clover Holdings Limited for $13,000,000, since their offer was best among several companies interested in the domain. Nowadays, there is no content on the website; instead, the website provides sponsored listings and web search results for numerous adult topics.
Biggest Domain Name Sale #2: fund.com
Fund.com was acquired on 3/11/2008 on a private sale by Philip Gentile for an interesting amount of $9,999,950. Currently, this website offers quality content concerning finance, product development, publishing, etc. Furthermore, it offers different services and features such as a fund finder, portfolio builder, forum, expert’s advice, etc. The company is based in New York.
Biggest Domain Name Sale #3: porn.com
Another adult-oriented domain, porn.com was bought by Moniker Privacy Services on 5/31/2007 for an amount of $9,500,000. Although not the most expensive domain, it is the largest all-cash domain sale in history. The domain was first put on an auction at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. West show in Las Vegas, however the reserve price was not offered and the domain was not sold. In contrast with the content of sex.com, porn.com owners offer their own adult content, but not for free, as it is required to pay a membership in order to get access.
Biggest Domain Name Sale #4: diamond.com
Diamond.com was acquired on 5/14/2006 in a private sale by ATTN DIAMOND.COM for an amount of $7,500,000. If you visit this domain, not unexpectedly, you’ll enter an online shop selling different types of jewelry, diamonds, bracelets, engagement items, earrings, etc.
Biggest Domain Name Sale #5: beer.com
This review of the biggest domain name sales ends with a domain dedicated to one of the most popular drinks in the world; naturally, we are referring to beer. Beer.com was acquired on 1/1/2004 in a private sale by Thought Convergence, LLC for an amount of $7,000,000. The concept of this website is very similar to sex.com, as they provide only sponsored listings, lists of popular searches, etc.
References
https://www.dnjournal.com/domainsales.htm
