OpenAI has added another high-profile domain to its portfolio by acquiring Chat.com. As of this morning, Chat.com redirects to OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT. The acquisition was confirmed via an email from an OpenAI spokesperson.
The Legacy and Value of Chat.com
Registered in September 1996, Chat.com is one of the web’s older, premium domains. Last year, HubSpot co-founder and CTO Dharmesh Shah purchased it for $15.5 million, marking it as one of the highest publicly reported domain sales.
In March, Shah announced that he had sold Chat.com to an undisclosed buyer. Last night, in a post on X, he confirmed that OpenAI was the buyer, hinting that part of the payment was made in OpenAI shares.
What Chat.com Means for OpenAI
Currently, Chat.com is only used to redirect to ChatGPT and does not represent a brand change for OpenAI. This acquisition appears to be a strategic step aimed at expanding OpenAI’s brand reach and accessibility. Although OpenAI has not disclosed the purchase amount, this move underscores its intention to strengthen its presence in the AI sector.