📰 INDUSTRY NEWS

The ".com Tax" is Returning in September 2026

Verisign just dropped their Q4 earnings report, and the message for 2026 is clear: Pricing power is back. Under their current agreement with ICANN, Verisign has the authority to increase wholesale .com prices by 7% annually.

The Numbers:

Current Wholesale Price: $10.26

Expected September 2026 Price: ~$10.97

Retail Impact: Registrars will likely use this as an excuse to hike prices to $18–$25+ for renewals.

Why this matters for your infrastructure: This is the 4th increase in a 6-year cycle. By the time this cycle ends, the "base cost" of a .com will have risen significantly. If you’re managing a portfolio of 50+ client sites, this "small" hike adds up to a major hidden cost.

The WebHostMost Advice:

Renew Early: If your domain expires in late 2026, renew it now for multiple years. Lock in the current 2025/early 2026 rates.

Consolidate: Stop paying "premium" renewal fees at registrars like GoDaddy or Bluehost that mark up wholesale prices by 200%.

Audit: 2026 is the year to prune unused domains. If it’s not making money, don’t pay the "Verisign Tax."

We don't set the registry prices, but we can help you optimize the infrastructure that runs on them. Stay lean, stay fast.

Stay tuned! 🤓

#DomainNews #Verisign #WebBiz #Hosting2026 #WebHostMost