.io

.io Domain Guide

British Indian Ocean Territory

Originally the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, .io has been adopted by the tech industry. 'IO' is often interpreted as Input/Output, making it popular with developers and startups.

Price

$30-50/year

Trust Level

High

Popularity

Popular

Type

ccTLD

History

The .io domain was delegated in 1997 as the country code for the British Indian Ocean Territory. Its adoption by the tech community began around 2012-2013, driven by the interpretation of 'IO' as 'Input/Output' - a fundamental computing concept. The short, memorable nature and good availability made it attractive to startups. Companies like GitHub (github.io), Heroku, and others helped establish .io as a legitimate tech TLD. Today, it's one of the most valuable ccTLDs, with premium names selling for significant sums.

Best For

Tech startups

SaaS products

Developer tools

API services

Gaming companies

Who Should Use .io

Tech startups and SaaS companies
Developer tools and API services
Open source projects
Tech-focused agencies and consultancies
Gaming and indie game developers
Data and analytics companies

Who Should Avoid .io

Traditional businesses (law firms, accounting, etc.)
Local service businesses
Non-profit organizations
Companies targeting non-tech audiences
Businesses in highly regulated industries

Pros

Strong tech industry recognition
Better availability than .com
Short and memorable
Signals innovation and technical expertise
Popular with investors and tech audiences

Cons

Higher registration cost than .com
Less recognized outside tech circles
Some concerns about political status of the territory
Not ideal for non-tech businesses

Technical Details

Registry	Internet Computer Bureau (ICB)
Restrictions	None - open to anyone
Length	2-63 characters
IDN Support	No
DNSSEC	Supported
Privacy Protection	Available

SEO Impact

Neutral for global SEO. While technically a ccTLD, Google generally treats .io as a generic TLD. May be treated as location-specific by some systems.

Registration Tips

Check if the .com is available too for brand protection

Some registrars offer better .io pricing than others - compare options

Consider the 2-year minimum requirement some registries enforce

Use a reputable registrar as .io management has changed hands

Complete Guide

The Complete Guide to .io Domains

The .io domain has become synonymous with tech startups and developer tools. Understanding its place in the tech ecosystem can help you make informed decisions about your domain strategy.

Why Tech Loves .io

The Input/Output Connection: In computing, I/O stands for Input/Output - the fundamental concept of data flowing in and out of systems. This association makes .io a natural fit for:

API services (data in, results out)
Developer tools
SaaS platforms
Data processing services

The Startup Signal: Using a .io domain sends a message:

"We're a modern tech company"
"We understand the developer ecosystem"
"We're startup-minded and innovative"

Investor Recognition: Many VCs and angel investors recognize .io as a legitimate choice:

Y Combinator companies frequently use .io
Tech accelerators accept .io as professional
Portfolio companies successfully raise funding with .io domains

.io vs .com Decision Framework

Choose .io when:

Your target audience is primarily technical
The .com is unavailable or prohibitively expensive
You want to signal tech credibility
You're building developer tools or APIs

Stick with .com when:

You're targeting mainstream consumers
Brand recognition is critical
You'll have heavy offline marketing
Your audience isn't tech-savvy

Availability and Pricing

.io offers better availability than .com:

Many short, meaningful names still available
Premium pricing less extreme than .com
Good options for compound words and tech terms

Pricing Considerations:

Standard registration: $30-50/year
Premium names: $100-$10,000+
Renewals often cost the same as registration
Some registrars offer first-year discounts

Technical Considerations

HTTPS and Security: .io domains work with all SSL providers and have no special requirements (unlike .dev or .app).

Email Deliverability: .io domains generally have good email deliverability, though some legacy systems may be stricter with non-.com domains.

DNS and Performance: No inherent performance differences from .com. Use a quality DNS provider regardless of TLD.

The Geopolitical Consideration

.io is technically the ccTLD for the British Indian Ocean Territory, raising some considerations:

The territory's political status is contested
Some ethics-minded developers prefer alternatives
The registry has changed ownership multiple times

For most businesses, these concerns are minor, but they're worth understanding.

Building a Brand on .io

Successful .io Brands: Many successful companies have built strong brands on .io:

codepen.io - Front-end playground
itch.io - Indie game platform
socket.io - WebSocket library
linear.io (later linear.app) - Project management

Marketing on .io:

Be prepared to say "dot I-O" in verbal marketing
Consider how the domain looks in advertising
Ensure your brand name + .io is memorable together

Popular .io Domains

github.ioGitHub Pages hosting platform

socket.ioReal-time websocket library

itch.ioIndie game marketplace

material.ioGoogle's Material Design system

atom.ioText editor by GitHub

codepen.ioFront-end code playground

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .io considered professional?

Yes, in the tech industry .io is highly professional and well-respected. It's used by major companies and backed startups. Outside tech circles, .com may still carry more weight.

Why are .io domains more expensive?

.io domains cost more because of limited supply (ccTLD for a small territory), high demand from the tech industry, and registry pricing. The perceived value in the tech community also supports higher prices.

Does .io hurt my SEO?

No. Google treats .io as a generic TLD for search purposes. Your content, backlinks, and technical SEO matter far more than your TLD choice.

Should I get both .io and .com?

If affordable, yes. The .com can redirect to your .io and prevents competitors from using it. If budget is limited, focus on the TLD that best fits your brand.