We have shown in the past that there is a correlation between domain name registrations and newsworthy and popular events, as well as anticipated trends. In 2014, we looked at Bitcoin as an example of how domain registrations could be an effective gauge of interest in a particular subject. Previously, we showed how domain buyers reacted to the U.S. government shutdown and how royal baby fever was reflected by domain registrations when Prince George was born in mid-2013 to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

With more than 220 million domain names registered globally, there are numerous examples of trends reflected by domain name registrations. In an effort to better illustrate .COM and .NET domain registration trends, Verisign is launching a new monthly blog post series that will identify the top 10 trending .COM and .NET keywords registered in English; our own zeitgeist of trending domain topics. The keywords from the preceding month will be published on the second Tuesday of each month on Between the Dots.

Each list will be developed by examining keyword registration growth for the preceding month, such that those keywords with the highest percentage of registration growth will be reported on. This method is used to eliminate commonly registered keywords such as “online” and “shop” so we can provide a true look at monthly trends.

To kick off this series, below are the top 10 trending keywords in English for .COM and .NET during the month of January 2015. Any surprises?

Top 10 Keyword Registration Trends for
.COM and .NET in January 2015

Make sure you check back on the second Tuesday of each month to see the latest keyword registration trends for .COM and .NET, or better yet, subscribe to Between the Dots to have the posts delivered directly to your inbox.

If you’d like to do your own domain name keyword research, check out Verisign Domain View, a tool that allows you to enter keywords to see registration trends for .COM and .NET.

If you are inspired to register a .COM domain, make sure to enter it in our #InternetOfficial contest. The contest, which is open to U.S. residents only, will feature up to five monthly winners (for a total of 15) and one grand prize winner. A panel of top industry influencers and celebrity judges, as well as the public’s votes, will determine the five best .COM domain names entered into the contest each month during the contest’s three month entry period. Each monthly winner will receive $5,000 and the opportunity to submit a video explaining the beauty of their entry. Those monthly winners who submit a video will proceed to the final round for an opportunity to win the grand prize amount - $30,000!