10 Most Expensive Domains That Shook the Internet (Updated 2025)

In the world of digital real estate, domain names are some of the most valuable assets. A premium domain can be the difference between obscurity and instant brand recognition. As we step into 2025, here are the top 10 most expensive domain name sales ever recorded, updated as of April 2025.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Registering A Free Domain Name

Global Domain Market Overview (2025) The premium domain market remains strong in 2025, with increasing demand for: .com extensions due to global trust Web3, AI, and fintech domains One-word and ultra-short domains Brokers, auctions, and marketplaces like Sedo, GoDaddy, and Dan.com are still the main places for high-value transactions. Crypto payments for domains are also gaining traction.

This list includes the sale price, ownership details (if public), usage, historical context, whether the domain is currently active, and why each domain commanded such a high price.

1. CarInsurance.com – $49.7 million

CarInsurance.com – $49.7 million

• Sold to: QuinStreet (2010)

• Purpose: Car insurance lead generation and comparison

• Status: Online (active and operational)

• Why so expensive?

  • Extremely competitive industry with high lead values

  • The domain receives over 300,000 monthly visitors

  • Exact match keyword domain, directly tied to high CPC search terms

  • Easy to remember, highly brandable and trustworthy

2. Insurance.com – $35.6 million

Insurance.com

• Sold to: QuinStreet (2010)

• Purpose: Insurance aggregator and lead gen portal

• Status: Online (active and operational)

• Why so expensive?

  • Broad application: auto, health, home, life insurance

  • Ranked as one of the most expensive advertising keywords in Google Ads

  • Massive commercial value and strong ROI for marketers

  • Previously operated as a full insurance brokerage

3. VacationRentals.com – $35 million

• Sold to: HomeAway (2007)

• Purpose: Competitive block to Expedia, redirected to Vrbo

• Status: Redirects to Vrbo.com (active redirect)

• Why so expensive?

  • Long but extremely descriptive and relevant domain

  • High-growth travel niche and vacation home boom

  • CEO of HomeAway admitted purchase was to block rivals

  • Continued use in redirect strategy shows long-term value

4. Voice.com – $30 million

Voice.com

• Sold to: Block.one (2019)

• Purpose: Blockchain-based social platform and NFT marketplace

• Status: Online (currently a digital identity platform by Voice)

• Why so expensive?

  • One-word domain, instantly recognizable

  • Relevance in AI, speech tech, and social media sectors

  • Formerly owned by MicroStrategy, known for its domain portfolio

  • Used to launch "Voice," a blockchain-based publishing network

5. Internet.com – $18 million

Internet.com

• Sold to: QuinStreet (1995)

• Purpose: Currently under development for Internet 3.0 services

• Status: Partially Online (minimal content, landing page only)

• Why so expensive?

  • Foundation-level branding for any digital service

  • One of the most generic and powerful tech domains

  • Features a simple holding page, still gets over 100,000 visitors/day

  • Will serve as a gateway for third-level domains (yourname.internet.com)

6. 360.com – $17 million

360.com

• Sold to: Qihoo 360 (2015)

• Purpose: Centralized brand domain for Qihoo 360's global operations

• Status: Online (redirects to 360.cn)

• Why so expensive?

  • Previously owned by Vodafone

  • Qihoo 360 is a major Chinese cybersecurity and search engine company

  • "360" implies full-circle protection, aligning perfectly with their product

  • Two-character domains are highly valued, especially in China

7. Insure.com – $16 million

• Sold to: QuinStreet (2009)

• Purpose: Insurance research and quote comparison site

• Status: Online (fully operational site)

• Why so expensive?

  • Highly commercial keyword domain

  • One of several insurance domains acquired by QuinStreet

  • Previously a full-service insurance agency with strong SEO

  • Trusted destination for U.S. insurance consumers

8. Sex.com – $14 million (2005) & $13 million (2010)

• Sold to: Escom LLC (2005), then to Clover Holdings Ltd. (2010)

• Purpose: Adult entertainment site

• Status: Online (operating as adult site)

• Why so expensive?

  • Iconic domain with global recognition

  • Involved in one of the most infamous domain disputes in history

  • High revenue potential from traffic and adult subscriptions

  • Consistent top-performer in adult web traffic rankings

9. Hotels.com – $11 million

• Sold to: Expedia Group (2001)

• Purpose: Hotel booking and travel services

• Status: Online (fully operational travel booking platform)

• Why so expensive?

  • Exact match keyword for a multi-billion-dollar industry

  • Simple, brandable, and instantly recognizable

  • Massive global SEO value and trust factor

  • Integral to Expedia's global travel network

10. Fund.com – $9.99 million

• Sold to: Clek Media Inc. (2008)

• Purpose: Originally intended for investment platform; now used as an insurance comparison portal

• Status: Inactive (domain not currently hosting a working platform)

• Why so expensive?

  • Premium finance-related keyword

  • Was briefly one of the most talked-about domain sales

  • Initial value driven by hedge fund and asset management potential

  • Changed hands again at a lower price after project delays and domain squatting issues

What Makes a Domain Name Valuable?

Simplicity: Short, one-word or two-letter domains are easier to remember and type.

Relevance: Domains tied to major industries (finance, tech, insurance, adult) or trends (Web3, AI) gain traction.

Brandability: Names that feel like global brands often sell for more.

Traffic Potential: High search volume keywords increase domain SEO value.

Scarcity: There are only so many meaningful .coms. Scarcity drives price.

Final Thoughts

Premium domain names are not just URLs—they are digital assets, marketing powerhouses, and brand cornerstones. Whether you're investing, building, or just curious, knowing what drives domain value can give you an edge in the ever-evolving internet economy.

The Ultimate Guide to Registering A Free Domain Name Establishing a solid online presence begins with registering a domain name. Even though there are paid domain registration services, there are also free options.