OpenAI has acquired the “chat.com” domain, marking one of the largest domain sales in recent history. While exact numbers remain undisclosed, reports suggest OpenAI acquired the domain for over $35 million, possibly marking it as one of the highest-grossing domain sales ever, with only a handful of domains surpassing the $30 million mark.
For context, as of 2022, only six domain names had broken that price threshold, with “Cars.com” holding the record at $872 million, according to data from Name.com.
The acquisition was subtly announced by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, on X (formerly Twitter) with a single post reading “chat.com,” causing immediate curiosity as users found that visiting the URL redirected them to ChatGPT’s main page. The move has led to widespread speculation about OpenAI’s intentions. One theory is that OpenAI, already a leading force in generative AI, may be looking to solidify a broader brand identity with “chat.com,” potentially phasing out the “GPT” label to streamline the product’s image.
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Although OpenAI already owns “ai.com” – purchased in 2022 for around $11 million – some observers believe that “chat.com” carries stronger appeal as a more accessible, recognizable URL associated directly with conversational AI. The branding move could reflect an effort to make ChatGPT more approachable and mainstream by associating it with the universally understood term “chat.”
The story behind this acquisition only deepens the intrigue. HubSpot founder Dharmesh Shah initially acquired “chat.com” early last year for $15.5 million. Shah saw its potential as a premium asset in an era where chat-based interfaces are transforming user experiences. His belief was that the simplicity and universality of the word “chat” would prove valuable as generative AI technology advanced, describing #ChatUX, or chat-based user interfaces, as “the next big thing in software.”
Shah explained his purchase on LinkedIn, citing that “communicating with computers/software through a natural language interface is much more intuitive,” underscoring the potential value in the domain’s link to conversational AI.
Although he acquired “chat.com” with a vision of developing a project around it, Shah ultimately opted to sell the domain. He did not disclose the exact price but confirmed it was “more than he paid.” He also revealed that he accepted a portion of the payment in OpenAI shares rather than in cash.
Shah’s decision to take OpenAI stock was partly motivated by his friendship with Altman, whom he has known for over a decade. As he explained, he chose stock because he doesn’t like to “profit off people he considers friends.” However, taking more than $15.5 million in shares is hardly a minor investment, positioning Shah to benefit from OpenAI’s future success while sharing the risks of its growth.
Humorously, Shah disclosed this transaction on LinkedIn as a kind of playful ChatGPT-style prompt, defining the chatbot’s role and asking it to guess the range of the sale price and percentage of shares involved. Although the faux prompt didn’t include a specific answer, this didn’t stop curious followers from attempting to plug the figures into ChatGPT and other AI tools.
One X user posted a response from ChatGPT showing an estimated sale price range of $18.6 million to $23.25 million, with 50-70% taken in OpenAI shares. This projection would mean shares valued between $9.3 million and $16.3 million. Another response, from ChatGPT-4, estimated a slightly broader range: $20 to $30 million for the sale, with 50-75% in stock. This second guess suggested Shah’s shares could be valued from $10 million to $22.5 million.
While speculative, these estimates highlight the underlying value Shah sees in OpenAI, which has quickly risen as one of the most influential companies in artificial intelligence. By accepting stock, Shah aligns his financial interests with OpenAI’s performance; should the company continue to grow, his shares could appreciate significantly. Conversely, should OpenAI face challenges, Shah would also shoulder some risk. In a LinkedIn post, he expressed confidence in this choice, noting that his long-standing relationship with Altman and his faith in OpenAI’s trajectory made the investment worthwhile.
Given OpenAI’s explosive growth and the anticipated expansion of AI-powered chat services, Shah’s bet on OpenAI stock could prove lucrative. As AI technology and conversational interfaces continue to permeate more industries, the demand for user-friendly and widely recognized branding like “chat.com” aligns with OpenAI’s ambition to mainstream ChatGPT’s utility across broader demographics.
Until OpenAI or Shah disclose more details, the exact terms of this landmark domain acquisition remain speculative. However, this sale – combining financial foresight, personal relationships, and brand strategy – encapsulates the high-stakes industry of generative AI, where powerful branding like “chat.com” is increasingly pivotal in the race for market dominance.