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Domain Investing

Andrew Allemann: The Voice of Domain Industry Journalism (2025)

Profile of Andrew Allemann, founder of Domain Name Wire and Senior VP at Media.net. Learn about his journey from investor to the domain industry's most respected journalist.

14 min
Published 2026-01-01
Updated 2026-01-01
By DomainDetails Team

Quick Answer

Andrew Allemann is the founder and editor of Domain Name Wire, the longest-running blog covering the domain name industry. Since launching the site in 2005, he has published nearly 15,000 posts covering domain sales, registrar news, ICANN policy, and investing strategies. Allemann is also Senior Vice President at Media.net (a Directi company) and maintains a personal domain portfolio that generates over $100,000 annually in profit. He has been quoted as a domain expert by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Bloomberg, and numerous other major publications, making him one of the most recognized and respected voices in the domain industry.

Table of Contents

Who is Andrew Allemann?

Andrew Allemann occupies a unique position in the domain industry: he is both a successful domain investor and the industry's most prolific journalist. This dual role gives him unmatched perspective on market trends, deal structures, and industry dynamics.

The Allemann Profile

Attribute Details
Location Seattle, Washington
Industry Start 1997
Founded Domain Name Wire March 9, 2005
Total Posts Published Nearly 15,000
Corporate Role Senior Vice President, Media.net
Portfolio Size ~1,000 domains
Annual Portfolio Profit $100,000+
Education University of Texas at Austin (Finance)

What Sets Him Apart

While many domain investors build portfolios quietly and many journalists cover industries from the outside, Allemann does both. He invests his own money in domains while simultaneously reporting on every aspect of the business. This combination of practitioner and chronicler has made Domain Name Wire the definitive source for domain industry news for two decades.

Tim Schumacher, former CEO of Sedo.com, described Allemann as "the smartest and most investigative journalist in our field, striking a perfect balance between being tough and candid on the one side, but fair and personable on the other side."

From College Student to Domain Investor

University of Texas at Austin

Allemann studied finance at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was involved with the Business Honors Program. He later served as Chairman of the UT Business Honors Program Alumni Board from 2001 to 2006.

Entering the Domain Industry (1997)

Allemann entered the domain industry in 1997, during the early days of commercial internet adoption. Like many early domain investors, he recognized that domain names would become essential digital addresses for businesses worldwide.

Building a Portfolio

Starting as a college student, Allemann built his domain portfolio methodically:

Portfolio Growth Strategy:

  • Focused on technology trends and emerging markets
  • Registered domains based on long-term vision, not quick flips
  • Built portfolio to approximately 1,000 domains
  • Achieved $100,000+ annual profit from portfolio

Monetization Approach: Allemann employed a triad of domain monetization options:

  1. Domain Parking: Generating revenue from parked domain advertising
  2. Affiliate Programs: Monetizing traffic through affiliate partnerships
  3. Mini Website Development: Building small content sites on domains

Early Acquisition Strategy

One example of Allemann's forward-thinking approach: he noticed the emerging market for high-end prefab homes after reading Dwell magazine. Rather than chasing immediate trends, he looked for opportunities that might not pay off for five to ten years.

Key Acquisition Channels:

  • Expired domain auctions (primary source)
  • Typical acquisition cost: $100-$200 at auction
  • Typical sale price: $2,000-$5,000
  • Long-term holding for appreciation

Founding Domain Name Wire (2005)

March 9, 2005: A New Era for Domain News

On March 9, 2005, Allemann launched Domain Name Wire as the first daily news blog covering the domain name business. At the time, there were no dedicated daily news sources for the domain industry.

The Problem He Solved:

  • Domain industry news was fragmented
  • No central source for daily industry updates
  • Investors relied on forums and word-of-mouth
  • Mainstream media rarely covered domains accurately

His Solution:

  • Daily news coverage of domain sales, registrars, and policy
  • Analysis from someone who understood the business
  • Accessible writing for investors at all levels
  • Consistent, reliable publication schedule

The First Daily Domain Blog

What distinguished Domain Name Wire from other resources was its commitment to daily publication. While forums provided discussions and occasional news, Allemann created a consistent news source that professionals could rely on each day.

Early Coverage Focus:

  • Domain name sales and valuations
  • Registrar and registry news
  • ICANN policy and meetings
  • Legal issues and trademark cases
  • Monetization and parking updates
  • Industry consolidation and acquisitions

Twenty Years of Industry Coverage

Reaching the 20-Year Milestone

Domain Name Wire celebrated its 20th anniversary on March 8, 2025, making it the longest-running blog covering the domain name business.

By the Numbers:

Metric Figure
Years of Publication 20
Total Posts Published Nearly 15,000
Average Posts Per Year ~750
Podcast Episodes 560+

Evolution of Coverage

Over two decades, Domain Name Wire's coverage has evolved with the industry:

2005-2009: Early Industry

  • Documenting the growth of domain parking
  • Covering early major sales
  • Reporting on ICANN policy development

2010-2015: New gTLD Era

  • Extensive coverage of new gTLD applications
  • Analysis of new extension launches
  • Tracking new gTLD adoption and sales

2016-2020: Market Maturation

  • Premium .com market analysis
  • Registrar consolidation coverage
  • Privacy and GDPR impacts

2021-2025: Current Era

  • AI and domain investing
  • Continued new gTLD evolution
  • Market trends and investment analysis

Reflection on 20 Years

In celebrating the milestone, Allemann noted: "So much has happened in the domain industry during the past 20 years. I've enjoyed chronicling the ups, downs and changes of this fun business."

Industry commentators have called Domain Name Wire "the single most important blog, news gatherer and opinion site serving the domain industry."

The DNW Podcast

Weekly Domain Industry Discussion

The Domain Name Wire Podcast (DNW Podcast) extends Allemann's coverage beyond written articles into audio format. The podcast reviews the latest news in domain names and features interviews with industry leaders.

Podcast Statistics:

  • Over 560 episodes published
  • Weekly publication schedule
  • Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and podcast platforms
  • Combines news review with expert interviews

Format and Content

News Review Episodes:

  • Weekly recap of major domain news
  • Analysis of significant domain sales
  • Commentary on industry trends
  • Discussion of policy developments

Interview Episodes:

  • Conversations with domain investors
  • Registrar and registry executives
  • Industry service providers
  • Legal and policy experts

Notable Interviews

The DNW Podcast has featured interviews across the industry spectrum:

Industry Pioneers:

  • Paul Mockapetris, inventor of the DNS (one of Allemann's favorite interviews)
  • Domain investors sharing strategies and results
  • Registrar executives discussing market dynamics

Regular Contributors:

  • Mark Levine and Logan Flatt discussing domain investing results
  • Industry analysts on market trends
  • Conference coverage with multiple interviews

NamesCon Coverage: The podcast regularly features extensive conference coverage, including episodes with 13-16 interviews from NamesCon attendees covering their views on the conference and domain market conditions.

Career at Directi and Media.net

Joining Directi (2010)

In 2010, Allemann joined Directi, the first ICANN-accredited registrar from India, as Director of Business Development. This role expanded into Senior Vice President positions across multiple business units.

Directi Background: Directi, founded by Divyank and Bhavin Turakhia, built a portfolio of domain and advertising businesses. The company's domain-related holdings included:

  • ResellerClub (domain reseller platform)
  • LogicBoxes (registrar platform)
  • BigRock (Indian registrar)
  • Skenzo and BigJumbo (domain parking platforms)
  • Media.net (contextual advertising network)

Media.net Role

Allemann serves as Senior Vice President at Media.net, where he leads North American operations for the contextual advertising company.

Media.net Background:

  • Founded by Divyank Turakhia
  • Contextual advertising network
  • Sold to a Chinese consortium for $900 million in 2016
  • Powers advertising on numerous publisher websites

Relevance to Domain Industry: Media.net's technology is directly relevant to domain monetization. Many domain investors use contextual advertising to generate revenue from their portfolios. Allemann's role gives him insight into the advertising technology that underlies domain parking revenue.

Balancing Roles

Allemann maintains transparency about his business relationships. Domain Name Wire includes a disclosure page noting:

  • His consulting relationships
  • Companies he has worked with
  • Potential conflicts of interest

This transparency helps maintain credibility with readers who rely on his reporting for investment decisions.

Investment Philosophy and Approach

Portfolio Composition

Allemann maintains a focused approach to domain investing:

Extension Focus:

  • Approximately 90% of portfolio in .com domains
  • Occasional investments in other extensions
  • Major sales have been .com domains
  • Some new TLD sales (.xyz, .vip, .cloud) typically around $1,000

Domain Types:

  • Two to three-word .com domains
  • Typical sale range: $1,000-$5,000
  • Focus on commercial intent
  • Emphasis on long-term holding

Long-Term Investment Approach

Unlike quick-flip investors, Allemann takes a patient approach:

Time Horizon:

  • Looks at trends that may take 5-10 years to develop
  • Holds domains for appreciation
  • Doesn't panic sell during market fluctuations
  • Focuses on sustainable portfolio income

Trend Research:

  • Reads industry publications to spot emerging markets
  • Example: Spotted prefab home trend from Dwell magazine
  • Invests based on long-term industry direction
  • Balances immediate monetization with future potential

Acquisition Strategy

Primary Acquisition Channel: Expired domain auctions

Most domain investors acquire the majority of their domains through expired domain auctions, where registrars sell domains that people decided not to renew. Allemann's typical approach:

  • Bid on expired domains in $100-$200 range
  • Target domains with sale potential of $2,000-$5,000
  • Look for domains with existing inbound links (for parking revenue)
  • Focus on quality over quantity

Portfolio Management Principles

Allemann advocates for regular portfolio evaluation:

The 80/20 Rule: About 20% of domains account for 80% of portfolio value. Successful investors identify and monitor their best domains while evaluating whether to keep or drop underperformers.

Adapting Strategy: "Business changes, and so does domain investing. What worked before might not work now or in the future. That's why domain investors need to constantly evaluate their approach and make changes."

Patience Required: Even successful investors may find that sales revenue doesn't exceed reinvestment costs for years. Building a profitable portfolio takes time and patience.

Media Recognition and Industry Influence

Mainstream Media Citations

Allemann has been quoted as a domain expert in major publications worldwide:

Major Publications:

  • The New York Times
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • Financial Times
  • Bloomberg
  • NPR
  • TechCrunch
  • Fortune
  • The Washington Post
  • The Guardian
  • Sydney Morning Herald

This media recognition reflects his status as a go-to source for journalists seeking expert commentary on domain-related stories.

Industry Authority

Within the domain industry, Allemann is recognized as:

Primary News Source: Domain Name Wire is the first place many professionals check for industry news. The site's consistent, accurate reporting has made it essential reading.

ICANN Expertise: Allemann attends ICANN meetings and provides analysis of policy developments. His coverage helps investors understand how policy changes might affect their portfolios.

Sales Data Resource: The site tracks and reports on domain sales, providing valuable comparable sales data for investors valuing their portfolios.

Industry Events

Allemann participates in major industry events:

NamesCon:

  • Regular attendee and speaker
  • Conducts interviews with industry participants
  • Provides podcast coverage of conferences

ICANN Meetings:

  • Covers policy sessions and meetings
  • Interviews industry stakeholders
  • Reports on policy developments

Other Ventures

PodcastGuests.com

Allemann founded PodcastGuests.com, a platform connecting podcasters with expert guests.

Origin Story: He created the platform after becoming frustrated trying to book experts for his own podcast. The solution he built became a business serving the podcasting industry.

Business Model:

  • Connects podcasters seeking guests with experts
  • Weekly emails list podcasts looking for guests
  • Experts pitch themselves to relevant shows
  • Sold to Podcast Media, LLC in 2022

CollegeIQ

Allemann created CollegeIQ, a free college search platform.

Origin: He developed the site after helping his own child through the college admissions process and seeing the need for better information organization.

Features:

  • College search and filtering tools
  • Location, weather, demographics filters
  • Enrollment size and admissions data
  • Academics, lifestyle, and financial aid information
  • True cost of attendance calculations

CollegeIQ demonstrates his approach to niche media: identify an information need, build a comprehensive resource, and serve the audience with useful content.

Niche Media Philosophy

Allemann is passionate about niche media, noting that "niche media publications and websites published by recognized authorities are becoming more important."

This philosophy underlies all his ventures:

  • Domain Name Wire for domain professionals
  • CollegeIQ for college-bound students and parents
  • PodcastGuests.com for podcasters and experts

Contribution to Industry Transparency

Documentation of the Industry

For 20 years, Domain Name Wire has documented:

Sales Data:

  • Reporting on public domain sales
  • Tracking market trends over time
  • Creating historical record of transactions

Company News:

  • Registrar acquisitions and changes
  • Registry operations and launches
  • Industry consolidation tracking

Policy Development:

  • ICANN policy evolution
  • Privacy regulation impacts
  • Trademark and legal developments

Accessibility for Newcomers

Unlike gatekept industries, domain investing has become accessible partly due to resources like Domain Name Wire:

Free Education:

  • Daily news available to everyone
  • Podcast episodes freely accessible
  • No paywall for core content
  • Welcoming coverage for beginners

Market Understanding:

  • Explains complex topics clearly
  • Provides context for industry events
  • Helps newcomers understand market dynamics

Ethical Journalism

Allemann maintains journalistic standards:

Disclosure:

  • Transparent about business relationships
  • Notes potential conflicts of interest
  • Separates editorial from advertising

Accuracy:

  • Fact-based reporting
  • Corrections when needed
  • Verified information

Balance:

  • Coverage of multiple perspectives
  • Fair treatment of industry participants
  • Willingness to cover controversies

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does Domain Name Wire publish?

Domain Name Wire publishes daily, with multiple posts on busy news days. The DNW Podcast publishes weekly. This consistent schedule has been maintained for 20 years.

Is Andrew Allemann still investing in domains?

Yes. Allemann maintains an active domain portfolio of approximately 1,000 domains, generating over $100,000 annually in profit. He continues to acquire and sell domains alongside his journalism and corporate roles.

What is Andrew Allemann's role at Media.net?

Allemann serves as Senior Vice President at Media.net, leading North American operations for the contextual advertising company. This role is separate from his ownership of Domain Name Wire.

How can I contact Andrew Allemann?

Allemann is accessible through:

  • Domain Name Wire contact form
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter/X (@allemann)
  • PodcastGuests.com (if you want him as a podcast guest)

Does Domain Name Wire accept advertising?

Yes. Domain Name Wire accepts advertising from domain industry companies. Advertising relationships are disclosed, and editorial content is kept separate from advertising.

What makes Domain Name Wire different from other domain news sources?

Several factors distinguish Domain Name Wire:

  • Longest continuous publication (20 years)
  • Daily publication schedule
  • Written by an active domain investor
  • Professional journalism standards
  • Comprehensive industry coverage
  • Free access to content

Has Andrew Allemann won any industry awards?

While specific award details are not widely published, Allemann is recognized as one of the most respected figures in domain journalism. His 20 years of consistent publication and media citations from major publications demonstrate his standing in the industry.

Key Takeaways

  • 1997 industry entry: Allemann has been investing in domains for over 25 years
  • 2005 founding: Domain Name Wire launched as the first daily domain news blog
  • Nearly 15,000 posts: Unmatched documentation of the domain industry
  • 20 years running: The longest-running domain industry publication
  • $100K+ annual profit: Active investor with a profitable 1,000-domain portfolio
  • Media.net SVP: Corporate role in domain advertising technology
  • Mainstream media source: Quoted by NY Times, WSJ, NPR, Bloomberg, and more
  • Dual perspective: Unique combination of investor and journalist
  • 560+ podcast episodes: Extended industry coverage through audio format
  • Industry transparency: Two decades of free, accessible domain news

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