The .com extension is nearly as old as the public internet, with almost half of all global websites using it. But your website doesn’t need to end in .com. The .com extension is just one of more than 1,400 top-level domains available, ranging from the familiar (.org, and .edu) to the niche and obscure (.ryukyu, .safety, and .lol).
The .io TLD has exploded in popularity because of easy access and availability. Learn what .io means, which businesses use it, and the pros and cons of using this increasingly common domain name for your brand.
What does .io mean?
The .io extension is a top-level domain (TLD) commonly used by tech companies, software businesses, and gaming platforms. A TLD is the last part of a domain name after the final dot in a website address. For example, “.com” is the TLD in the web address shopify.com.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and its subsidiary, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), manage and regulate the usage of TLDs, including any generic TLD (gTLD)—which doesn’t have a country-specific designation—and country code top-level domain (ccTLD).
The .io domain extension began as a ccTLD assigned to the Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a 23-square-mile region with no permanent population and virtually no demand for geographically relevant .io domain names. (This is subject to change, given ongoing talks between the UK and Mauritius regarding control of the islands and the return of displaced Chagossians.)
Normally, a ccTLD is a reserved geographical identity for specific countries or territories, such as .us for the United States and .jp for Japan. However, some commercial web addresses have repurposed country-specific domain extensions as generic top-level domains. For example, the popular .co extension was exclusively Colombia’s ccTLD till businesses like VSCO (vsco.co) and Hinge (hinge.co) adopted it for its similarity to .com. This extended usage of certain ccTLDs has allowed tech companies to create .io websites.
Who uses the .io domain name?
Over the past few decades, many popular generic top-level domains, like .com, .net, and .org, have been claimed, leaving today’s companies with fewer available memorable domain endings. Many in the tech world turned to the .io extension.
In computer science, I/O stands for input/output, the signals that help computers communicate. Companies in the tech space—like tech startups, SaaS (software as a service) companies, gaming studios, and blockchain businesses—often use the .io TLD to signal a modern, technology-focused business.
For example, Foodshed.io is a mobile marketing app and logistics platform that connects smaller, independently owned food producers to supermarkets, restaurants, and institutional buyers. Like many organizations with a .io TLD, the business leverages cutting-edge technology for its online services. Foodshed.io centered its unique domain extension in its brand by using “.io” in both the domain name and business name.
If you’re interested in claiming a relevant domain utilizing a .io address, use Shopify’s free domain generator tool to start your search for the perfect domain name.
Pros and cons of .io domains
You can register a .io domain from a domain registrar like Shopify—but should you? Whether creating a new company website or revamping your existing brand site, here are some pros and cons of .io domains.
Pros of .io domains
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High availability. The .io TLD offers more opportunities to register single-word relevant, premium domains, like example.io. Businesses with their own memorable brand names can use the .io TLD to acquire a matching domain.
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Easy search engine discoverability. Google treats .io sites as a gTLD, meaning your website can have wide search engine recognition and attract more web visitors.
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Use in domain hacks. A domain hack integrates a website TLD into the brand (e.g., rad.io, scenar.io), allowing you to create a keyword-friendly domain that stands out.
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Tech industry cache. The .io domain is widely recognized in the tech industry; using .io may confer the same credibility to your website. It’s a perfect domain choice for tech and SaaS startups looking for a modern and innovative brand identity.
Cons of .io domains
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Private management. A private entity, the Internet Computer Bureau (ICB), oversees the .io TLD, whereas a nonprofit, ICANN, regulates other gTLDs and may be more accountable to the public.
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Comparatively expensive. Generally, .io domains are more expensive—around $60 per year or more—than common gTLDs, which average $10 to $12 per year.
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Lower recognition. While .io is popular in tech circles, it’s not as widely recognized or trusted in other industries.
Questions about the future of the domain. In October 2024, the British government announced it would relinquish ownership of the Chagos Islands and the .io domain, which may affect future commercial domain registration.
What does .io mean? FAQ
What does .io stand for?
Technically, .io stands for “Indian Ocean” as in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). It was created as a country code top-level domain (ccTLD), but is now used by commercial businesses and treated like a generic domain by Google and other search engines.
What type of websites use .io?
Any website can use .io, but it’s particularly popular among technology and software companies.
Is a .io website safe?
Yes, a .io website can be as safe and secure as any website using a generic top-level domain. Your DNS or hosting provider manages your safety and security and can handle .io websites.
Why is .io so popular?
The .io TLD is popular in part because it resonates within the tech industry. In computer science, I/O stands for input/output, the signals that help computers communicate. Finding memorable domains with a .io extension may also be easier, especially compared to the immensely popular .com TLD.
