Automattic, the company that owns WordPress.com, announced that it has secured rights to oversee and operate the sale and registration of .blog domains.
This means that anyone can use the .blog domain instead of the popular .com.
According to Automattic in a blog post, “You’ll be able to purchase a .blog domain at WordPress.com or through our partner domain name registrars. And again, the .blog domain will be available to everyone, regardless of what kind of site you have or who hosts it. ”
Automattic says the reason for the .blog was because it was becoming increasingly difficult to get your choice .com for website names. It also adds that “With a top-level domain like .blog, you can get a name that truly matches your identity. Plus, you’ll get all the same benefits with Google search results.”
Domain registration prices are still being finalized, but they will be in the standard range for new top-level domains with some premium pricing for higher-value names. The domain names will become available through traditional timeframes such as “sunrise” (the period during which trademark owners can purchase domain names) and “landrush” (the time in which applications can be received prior to general availability).
The .blog domains are coming this year. Sign up here to get notified.