OpenAI has made a strategic move by acquiring the domain “chat.com,” which now redirects to its ChatGPT platform. Previously owned by Dharmesh Shah, cofounder of HubSpot, the domain was purchased for over $10 million before being sold to OpenAI. While Shah did not reveal the exact sale price, he confirmed it was more than he originally paid, and hinted at receiving shares in OpenAI as part of the deal.
The purchase of the four-letter, easy-to-remember “chat.com” domain is a smart play from a branding perspective, according to industry experts. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared the news on social media, and analysts believe this acquisition strengthens OpenAI’s global reach and positions its consumer products more effectively.
Margarita Polishchuk, head of strategy at Clay, a branding and UX agency, noted that this move signifies OpenAI’s strategic shift toward a broader global audience. “The domain is memorable and very on-point,” she explained, emphasizing how it enhances the company’s branding. The simplicity of “chat.com” is expected to resonate strongly with users worldwide.
The domain could also serve as a response to a potential linguistic issue, with people sometimes mistakenly typing “ChatGTP” instead of “ChatGPT.” Nicole Ferry, chief strategy officer at Sullivan NYC, pointed out that “ChatGTP” redirects to a competitor’s platform, making “chat.com” a more effective, user-friendly URL.
Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson, pointed out that “chat” is the most intuitive term for how consumers perceive chatbots, suggesting that OpenAI may be positioning its product as a more accessible consumer technology. By focusing on the word “chat,” OpenAI could be making its AI feel more approachable and familiar, rather than a complicated or technical concept.
This acquisition aligns with OpenAI’s broader aim of making its products more mainstream, potentially turning “chat” into a ubiquitous term, akin to “Googling.” The simplicity of “chat.com” could accelerate the adoption of AI tools by everyday users, making the technology more accessible to those who aren’t tech-savvy.
With “chat.com” in its portfolio, OpenAI is strategically reinforcing its brand and pushing toward a future where its AI technology is just as commonplace as any everyday tool.