In copywriting, it’s called “social proof.” Prospects want to see a person or company they respect take an action to justify their own. Well, for domain names, there’s plenty of that. Critics of domains often cite Amazon or Monster when they say keyword domains aren’t needed. To counter that, just look at who owns books.com and jobs.com.
This is a small list of domains held by various companies, thanks to DomainTools.com for most of it.
American Express – Open.com
AOL – When.com, Games.com, Love.com
Answers Corp. – Answers.com, Reference.com, Dictionary.com, Thesaurus.com
Bank Of America – Loans.com
Barnes and Noble – Books.com
Bayer – Aspirin.com
Bass Pro Shops – Hunting.com
Brown Shoe Company – Shoes.com
Burlington Coat Factory – Coat.com
Calvin Klein – Bras.com and Underwear.com
Citibank – Student Loan.com
CNET -
Kids.com, Help.com, Computers.com, Download.com, Online.com, TV.com, Upload.com, News.com, Search.com, com.com, Builder.com, Gaming.com, Shopper.com, Marketplace.com, Updates.com, Store.com, Buying.com, Chat.com, Welcome.com, Browser.com, Shareware.com, Freeware.com, Auctions.com, Labs.com, Community.com, Silicon.com, Radio.com
CNN – Money.com
Old Country Buffet – Buffet.com
Diago – Malts.com, Rum.com, Scotch.com
Disney – Movies.com, Video.com, 101.com, Go.com, Family.com
Ebay (aka PayPal) – X.com
Fixodent – Dentures.com
Food Network – Food.com
GlaxoKlineSmith – Depression.com
Google – Hello.com
Hallmark Cards – Greetings.com
Honda – Motorcycles.com
Intel – Chips.com
JC Penny – Gift.com
Johnson and Johnson – Baby.com
Kay Jewelers – Gold.com
Kraft – Cream Cheese.com, Pickles.com, Sauces.com
Marchex – Motherboard.com
MasterCard – Priceless.com
Merriam Webster – Word.com
Microsoft – Live.com, Surface.com, Start.com, TV.net, Investor.com
Monster.com – Jobs.com
National Geographic – Documentary.com
Nissan – Z.com
Monster – Jobs.com
National Pen Company – Pens.com
Nestle – Meals.com
Office Depot – Office Supplies.com
PetSmart – Pets.com
Procter and Gamble – Toothpaste.com
QWest – Q.com, Fast Lane.com, Fog Light.com
Ralph Lauren – Polo.com, Rugby.com
Ragu – Sauce.com
R.H. Donnelley – Business.com, Work.com
Rocky Mountain Bicycles – Bikes.com
Roto Rooter – Plumber.com
Sports Endeavors – Soccer.com, Lacrosse.com
Sylvan Learning – Educate.com, Hop.com, Ivy.com
The History Channel – History.com
The Map and Globe Store – World Maps.com
The Weather Channel - Weather.com
The Wedding Channel – Weddings.com
Travelocity – Vacations.com
Unilever (Products include: Knorr, Slim Fast, Vasaline) – Soup.com, Peanut Butter.com
Yahoo – Contests.com, Broadcast.com