November demand index shows founders chasing automation-friendly domains
What the index tracks
Every month the MyDomAI research team compiles an index that blends registrar transaction feeds, auction results, marketplace watchlists, and MyDomAI scoring telemetry. The goal is simple: help founders and operators understand which naming themes convert, hold resale value, and avoid regulatory pitfalls. The November release covers 426,000 transactions across 57 registrars, weighting data by verified spend rather than raw volume. The team also incorporates anonymized MyDomAI workspace activity to see which domains progress from ideation to launch. This methodology keeps the index grounded in real buyer behavior rather than speculative hype cycles.
Automation overtakes generic AI branding
For the first time since early 2023, domains containing the term “automation” outperformed those built around “AI” alone. MyDomAI observed a 19 percent increase in closing prices for automation-related names and a 25 percent higher progression rate from purchase to launch. Founders appear to favor names that promise operational efficiency rather than abstract intelligence. Secondary market interviews back the shift: agencies report that their clients want language that signals a problem solved—billing automation, workflow automation, document automation—over adjectives that merely declare intelligence. The same trend surfaced in localized markets, with Spanish and German buyers gravitating toward automation translations.
Sector highlights from the November cohort
Three sectors account for the bulk of premium demand this month. Supply chain automation leads the pack as manufacturers scramble to modernize logistics; domains tied to predictive inventory and freight optimization fetch the highest multiples. Marketing operations claims second place, boosted by agencies productizing services with bundled AI workflows. Healthcare workflow automation rounds out the top three, although regulatory reviews lengthen launch timelines. Founders should note that fintech, previously a mainstay, slid to fifth as macroeconomic scrutiny increases compliance overhead.
Geography and language shifts worth watching
Regional data captures how local regulations and consumer expectations shape naming strategies. In North America, .com remains dominant, yet .io registrations have slowed as founders weigh ongoing renewal costs. Across the European Union, .eu and .de names increased sharply thanks to data residency assurances baked into marketing campaigns. Southeast Asia saw a surge in .co and localized ccTLD pairs purchased together, signaling an appetite for dual commercial and country-specific presence.
Launch velocity by team archetype
The index highlights how different organizations convert ideas into live experiences. Venture studios continue to lead in speed, getting 62 percent of purchased domains into public testing within 14 days. Agencies improved their launch rate significantly, cutting average lead time from 39 days to 23 thanks to integrated platforms like MyDomAI. Corporate development groups remain slower, averaging 41 days, largely due to complex stakeholder approvals.
Naming patterns pushing conversion
Analyzing 12,800 active landing pages reveals conversion differences tied to naming strategies. Two-word combinations that pair a verb with a tangible outcome perform best: “syncledgers,” “craftautomate,” and “flowclaims” all beat baseline conversion rates. Numeric modifiers, once popular, now underperform in paid campaigns because they complicate audio recognition in ads. Names that include common industry acronyms still have a place, but they must be backed by precise messaging—our review shows that pages using vague copy after an acronym-laden domain experience a 17 percent drop in qualified leads.
Pricing guidance for buyers
Benchmark data helps founders avoid overpaying during the acquisition phase. For automation-focused .com domains with high search intent, median purchase prices sit at 1.7 times equivalent AI-themed names. Secondary market deals close quickly: 68 percent finalize in under 24 hours, up from 52 percent in August. Buyers should plan for competitive bidding windows on Wednesdays and Thursdays when studio deal teams aim to lock names before the weekend.
Recommendations for portfolio planning
Drawing on the data, the research team recommends a disciplined acquisition approach:
- Secure at least one automation-focused .com per product pillar, then layer localized ccTLDs only for markets with committed go-to-market budgets.
- Allocate spend toward domains that embed a customer verb or clear outcome rather than trendy adjectives.
- Maintain a balanced mix of defensive and offensive holdings; 30 percent of recent corporate launches succeeded by repurposing older domains after fresh scoring.
What to expect next month
The December index will add deeper coverage of resale channels and an inaugural spotlight on sustainability-focused domains as climate automation emerges. The research team is also building a predictive module that forecasts bidding intensity based on macroeconomic triggers such as rate changes and venture funding cadence. Customers who opt into the index briefing will receive early access to cohort breakdowns and regional benchmarks.
November’s findings underscore a simple point: founders are moving past generic AI branding and leaning into names that promise tangible automation outcomes. Teams that align naming with measurable value can ride the trend while maintaining disciplined portfolio economics. MyDomAI customers already benefit from the integrated scoring and launch tooling; pairing those capabilities with data-backed acquisition choices keeps launch pipelines both fast and financially sound.