Back in 2022, when ChatGPT pushed generative AI into the mainstream, choosing a .ai domain was almost a no-brainer for startups. It gave your company instant tech cred, signaling to investors and early users that you were riding the AI wave.
But a quiet shift is now unfolding in the startup world. Some of the most forward-looking AI companies are gradually ditching their .ai domains in favor of .com addresses. This isn’t just about following trends—it’s a move rooted in branding, trust, and long-term vision.
It’s not yet a full-blown exodus, but it’s noticeable. And it reflects a deeper rethink about how startups want to be seen as they grow up and scale beyond AI hype.
Why .AI Domains Became the Go-To Choice
In the early days of the AI boom, grabbing a .ai domain made perfect sense. Premium .com domains were often unavailable or too costly, while .ai domains were still widely accessible. Plus, that .ai tag immediately told the world what kind of technology you were building.
More than just a web address, the .ai domain became a badge of innovation. Startups wore it proudly—it offered credibility, especially when pitching to early-stage investors.
But that kind of early credibility doesn’t always translate when it’s time to sell to enterprises or appeal to a broader audience.
Why More Startups Are Making the .AI to .COM Switch
As startups mature, so do their goals. What once helped them stand out among other early-stage AI players can now feel like a box they’ve outgrown.
The .ai domain, while trendy, often feels narrow—like a label that locks a company into a single identity. On the other hand, .com domains offer familiarity, global trust, and stronger brand presence. They’re easier to remember, perform better in SEO, and improve email deliverability.
So for startups preparing to scale, appeal to enterprise buyers, or expand their offerings, switching to .com becomes a smart, strategic upgrade.
From AI Hype to Global Brands: Real Startup Rebrands
A growing number of AI startups have already made the leap to .com. Below are a few examples of companies that began with a .ai identity but have now rebranded to reflect their broader missions:
| Startup | Original Domain | New Domain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | Scale.ai | Scale.com | AI training data platform serving large enterprises. |
| Modular | Modular.ai | Modular.com | Rebranded as developer adoption and product scope expanded. |
| Runway | Runway.ai | RunwayML.com | New domain highlights its core machine learning focus. |
| Pymetrics | Pymetrics.ai | Pymetrics.com | Shifted domains as it targeted enterprise HR clients. |
| Pickle | GetPickle.ai | Pickle.com | Transitioned as it scaled its remote video communication tool. |
| Mentessa | Mentessa.ai | Mentessa.com | Broadened branding for its mentorship and talent platform. |
Pickle: From “GetPickle.ai” to “Pickle.com”
Among all the domain rebrands, Pickle stands out. The company started with GetPickle.ai, offering a product that trains digital avatars to speak in real-time video meetings—with just a 0.3-second delay. It became popular with remote-first teams.
With backing from Y Combinator, NFX, and Krew Capital, Pickle passed 1,000 paying users and secured the domain Pickle.com in a private acquisition. According to CEO Daniel Park, the switch isn’t just cosmetic—it’s a statement about their long-term ambition.
“Thanks to our early investors, we’re building clones that can think and communicate like humans. Our goal is to supercharge how people connect online,” said Park.
Dropping the “Get” and upgrading to a sleek .com aligns with their plan to be more than just another AI startup. They’re positioning themselves as a polished brand ready to lead in a bigger market.
Why Some Startups Are Sticking With .AI
Still, not every AI company is making the switch. Some see .ai as a core part of their identity. For these startups, the domain reinforces what they do and helps them stand out in a crowded landscape.
| Startup | Domain | Reason for Keeping .AI |
|---|---|---|
| Perplexity | Perplexity.ai | Strengthens brand as an AI-powered search platform. |
| Stability AI | Stability.ai | Reflects leadership in open-source AI and research-first focus. |
| Character AI | Character.ai | Highlights its emphasis on consumer-friendly conversational AI. |
| Hume | Hume.ai | Ties directly into its emotionally intelligent AI tools. |
| Reka | Reka.ai | Maintains early-stage continuity and identity. |
Some Are Playing It Both Ways
Other startups are hedging their bets. They secure both the .ai and .com versions and use them strategically. One notable example is xAI, which owns x.ai for the parent company and grok.com for its chatbot product. This dual-domain strategy lets them keep their AI roots visible while showing product maturity.
It’s a smart branding play: keep the flexibility while protecting long-term market appeal.
What Startup Founders Should Consider
Your domain is often your brand’s first impression. In the early days, a .ai domain might feel like a perfect fit. But as your product matures, your domain should evolve too.
Think about who you want to reach. Are you pitching VCs or selling to Fortune 500 companies? Are you building a niche AI tool, or a multi-layered platform with mass appeal?
A .com domain might cost more—but it could open bigger doors down the line.
The Takeaway
This wave of rebrands from .ai to .com isn’t about ditching AI. It’s about signaling something bigger. Startups like Pickle, Scale, and Modular are proving that branding evolves as companies grow. They’re still building with AI at the core—but they’re also building brands that aim for wider recognition, deeper trust, and lasting impact.
