OpenAI gets new domain Chat.com 

OpenAI, Chat.com acquisition, Sam Altman, Dharmesh Shah, AI accessibility, ChatGPT, domain purchase, tech industry, AI communications

In Short

• OpenAI acquires Chat.com, redirecting users to ChatGPT
• Sam Altman announces acquisition with a simple “Chat.com” tweet
• Chat.com’s history dates back to its 1996 registration

OpenAI has just made a big move by acquiring Chat.com, one of the internet’s oldest and most recognized domains, originally registered back in 1996. Starting today, anyone typing in Chat.com will be redirected straight to ChatGPT, OpenAI’s popular AI chatbot. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, hinted at the acquisition with a brief tweet that simply said “Chat.com,” adding a touch of intrigue to the news. An OpenAI spokesperson later confirmed the purchase via email to TechCrunch, although they didn’t share how much it cost. This addition brings a valuable asset under OpenAI’s wing as it pushes to make AI more accessible and recognisable.

Chat.com is a familiar name online, first registered in September 1996. Its value and popularity have only increased over the years, partly due to the premium "Chat" keyword, which is highly sought after in the tech industry. Last year, Dharmesh Shah, co-founder and CTO of HubSpot, made headlines by purchasing Chat.com for an impressive $15.5 million, marking it as one of the largest publicly reported domain sales in history.

Shah had hinted in March that he’d sold the domain to an unnamed buyer, sparking speculation. Today, he confirmed the buyer’s identity in a post on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that OpenAI had acquired Chat.com. Shah also implied he’d received shares in OpenAI as part of the deal, though specifics remain under wraps.

Interestingly, Chat.com’s redirection to ChatGPT doesn’t signify a major brand shift for OpenAI, as the domain simply links users to the chatbot rather than establishing Chat.com as a standalone brand. OpenAI’s current focus appears to be on broadening ChatGPT’s access points rather than creating a new entity under the Chat.com name. Given the domain's value and brand potential, this could be a strategic play to strengthen recognition and draw in a larger, tech-curious audience.

This acquisition underscores OpenAI’s ongoing commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of AI-powered communications. As ChatGPT continues to gain traction, the addition of such a high-profile domain could mark a subtle yet powerful shift in how users engage with AI.

For now, OpenAI remains tight-lipped on the acquisition's details, leaving industry experts to speculate on the future impact of Chat.com on the AI landscape.