50:00Freddy Schiwek
Business Development, Namespace Group
Hosting M&A & Domain Names
E171 · Oct 15, 2026Watch

In WP Legends Episode 104, we dive deep into the world of domain names and digital identity with Joseph Alagna, Chief Strategy Officer at it.com.
With decades of experience in the domain registry industry, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge about how identity, trust, and the internet infrastructure intersect.
We discuss the intricacies of launching a Top-Level Domain (TLD), the importance of digital assets, the evolving domain ecosystem, and how domains shape trust and credibility on the internet.
In WP Legends Episode 104, we dive deep into the world of domain names and digital identity with Joseph Alagna, Chief Strategy Officer at it.com. With decades of experience in the domain registry industry, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge about how identity, trust, and the internet infrastructure intersect. We discuss the intricacies of launching a Top-Level Domain (TLD), the importance of digital assets, the evolving domain ecosystem, and how domains shape trust and credibility on the internet. Visit Us: https://seahawkmedia.com Follow Joseph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joealagna/ Explore it.com: https://get.it.com/ Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:24 - Guest Introduction: Joseph Alagna 2:11 - Joe's Entry into the Domain Industry 4:44 - Early Days of the Internet: com, net, and .org 5:24 - Writing the Book on Launching a TLD and ICANN's Role 14:59 - Applying for Top-Level Domain (TLD) 20:15 - Selling Domains: The it.com Strategy 24:10 - Trends and Use Cases in the Domain Ecosystem 27:57 - The Future of TLDs: Trends and Opportunities 29:25 - Brand vs Generic Domains: Strategic Choices 32:15 - Opportunities and Financial Implications .ai and .io Domains 35:13 - Evolution of the Domain Ecosystem in the Next 5 Years 38:35 - Brand Flexibility vs Exact Match in 2026 and Beyond 40:00 - Will .com Still Hold Value and Thoughts on Branding 47:15 - Thoughts on Domain Valuation and Ownership 53:44 - Closing Remarks Music Credits: Valdez of Crenshaw by Terrace Martin Live Like Legends by Ruelle - Nightcore Remix #JosephAlagna #itcom #ICANN #FutureOfDomains #WPLegends #DomainNames
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50:00Hosting M&A & Domain Names
55:10Trust, Identity & the New Top-Level Domain Gold Rush
44:37MCP-Native Domains, AI Agents & 20 Years in Hosting