Google has unveiled the ING top-level domain (TLD), which enables users to register domain names featuring verbs, nouns, and adjectives that conclude with the “ing” suffix. In domain names, the TLD represents the final part, such as .com or .org.
This latest addition, introduced by Google, is represented by .ing, offering publishers the opportunity to secure domain names that pertain to actions, individuals, locations, objects, and even descriptive words concluding with “ing.”
Numerous brands have initiated the registration of .ing domain names:
- The Adapt clothing brand secured adapt.ing.
- Adobe Acrobat obtained edit.ing and sign.ing.
- Canva registered draw.ing.
- The ING banking and financial group acquired bank.ing.
Why Is ING Significance?
Utilizing an ING TLD provides a powerful means of branding that communicates what users can achieve with a website, product, or service through a concise and memorable domain name.
This is commonly referred to as a “domain hack.”
Wikipedia offers a valuable explanation of a domain hack:
“A domain hack is a name that implies a word, phrase, or name when combining two or more consecutive levels of that domain.
For instance, bir.ds and examp.le, using hypothetical country-code domains like .ds and .le, suggest the words birds and example, respectively.
In this context, the term ‘hack’ denotes a clever and creative approach (similar to programming), rather than an exploit or security breach.”
Is the ING Domain Beneficial?
Indeed, the ING TLD offers several advantages that can facilitate marketing, the sale of products and services, and make website access more convenient.
It proves exceptionally advantageous for websites burdened with lengthy or challenging-to-recall domain names, providing the option of a concise, one or two-word domain that precisely conveys the site’s purpose.
Bill Hartzer, the founder of Hartzer Consulting (LinkedIn), has proposed a practical utilization of .ing domain names. Bill explained:
“I already had a friend inquire about acquiring those domains since their company name concludes with -ing. I suggested to them that it’s a valuable ‘domain hack,’ as we refer to it.
They can use the .ing domain as a URL shortener for social media links.
With the .ING domain extension, you can easily incorporate your brand or company name and add .ING to the end of it.
For instance, it could be ‘Google-ing’ or ‘Hartzer-ing,’ serving as a social media URL shortener.
In essence, .ING would make an excellent domain hack.
For those interested in ING TLDs, if they are enterprising, they might want to explore a comprehensive list of words ending in ‘ing’ to determine if any are available for registration.”
ING Domains for Ultra-Precise User Intent Targeting
What makes the ING TLD particularly intriguing is its ability to precisely pinpoint user intent, focusing on verb forms ending in -ing, vividly conveying the actions associated with various activities. This emphasis on verbs is crucial because verbs represent the most accurate way to zero in on user intent.
Inlinks was among the first to propose that user intents extend beyond the traditional five or six categories, recognizing that verbs represent more nuanced user intents. For instance, activities like eating, cooking, fixing, flying, plumbing, and writing can be highlighted.
By appending the name of a city, state, or province to these verbs, one can craft domain names that exceptionally hone in on specific user intent, such as LosAngelesPlumb.ing or FloridaAirCondition.ing.
The wedding industry is poised to be highly competitive, given the abundance of geographic domain names that can be registered, such as ManhattanWedd.ing.
Furthermore, there’s an array of travel and wedding-related variations, like DestinationWedd.ing.
When targeting a specific service, you have options like Wedd.ing or AmazingWedd.ing.
And for products, you can consider domain names like DressesForWedd.ing, right?
These variations extend beyond weddings or plumbing services, as they can precisely cater to user intent in various domains.
What Is the Cost of ING Domains?
The pricing structure for ING domains varies based on the timing of registration. It starts with the early access period, which begins with higher costs and gradually becomes more affordable as the General Availability date approaches. The Early Access Period (EAP) is the phase with the highest rates.
Here’s the availability timeline for ING domains:
- From September 20, 2023, to October 24, 2023: Sunrise period, where trademark holders who registered their trademarks with the Trademark Clearinghouse can secure domains under the new TLDs.
- From October 31, 2023, to December 5, 2023: Early Access Period (EAP), during which anyone can register available domains in the new TLDs by paying an additional fee. This fee decreases daily as the General Availability date approaches.
- Starting from December 5, 2023, and onwards: General Availability, allowing anyone to register available domains without incurring the EAP fee.
During the Early Access Period (EAP), there is an extra one-time fee for registration, and this fee decreases on a daily schedule until December 5.
On December 5, at 16:00 UTC, .ing domains will be publicly available at a standard annual price through the registrar of your choice.
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