AI Business & Domain Name Search
The Rise and Fall (?) of SmartyNames: Why This AI Domain Name Generator Faded Into Obscurity
Ever stumble across a brilliant online tool, only to wonder later, “Hey, whatever happened to that thing?”
If you've ever searched for a business domain name using AI, you might have come across SmartyNames. It promised quick, catchy ideas using AI magic — an entrepreneur's dream. Yet today in 2025, it feels almost like a ghost town… what happened?
Short answer: SmartyNames didn’t officially shut down, but it’s a shadow of its former self.
Long answer: It was sold, faced brutal competition, and faded from relevance — classic startup struggles amplified by the AI boom.
Let’s dive into how a promising idea struggled to survive the tech landscape — and what we can learn from it.
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What Was SmartyNames?
SmartyNames was an AI-powered website that generated domain name ideas in seconds. Founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Kirill Zubovsky, it let users:
- Instantly generate name ideas based on a business description.
- Check domain name availability.
- Browse premium domain names available for purchase.
Users loved it for its simplicity and creativity, and it quickly grabbed attention on communities like Indie Hackers and Product Hunt.
Zubovsky built and launched SmartyNames in just a weekend, capitalizing on the 2022–2023 AI tool explosion. It gained decent traction early on, with features appearing in places like TechCrunch.
But by October 2023, Zubovsky sold the site, citing market saturation in the AI niche as a key reason.
So... why didn’t SmartyNames really thrive afterward?
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Why Did SmartyNames Fail?
Short Answer:
Although it remained technically operational, SmartyNames couldn’t withstand intense competition, market changes, and leadership shifts after being sold.
Long Answer:
Several interlocking challenges sealed its fate:
1. Market Fit and Product Challenges
At first, SmartyNames answered a clear need: fast, creative domain suggestions. But soon, bigger players and newer startups offered smarter personalization, broader integrations (logo design, brand kits, etc.), and better user experiences.
SmartyNames risked becoming a single-function tool in a multifunctional world.
2. Monetization and Revenue Hurdles
The business model relied on a freemium setup: users got 25 free credits, then paid for premium features like reserved names or extra suggestions.
But in a crowded market where bigger rivals gave away similar features (sometimes entirely free!), it was tough to convert free users into paying customers — especially without deeper brand-building services attached.
3. Competitive Landscape
SmartyNames battled giants like GoDaddy’s AI domain name generator, Namecheap’s branding tools, and emerging AI-focused competitors like domainhuntai.
These rivals had:
- Bigger budgets
- Higher visibility
- More robust ecosystems (hosting, website builders, branding suites)
In short, SmartyNames’ narrow focus left it vulnerable as competitors offered “all-in-one” starter packs for online businesses.
4. Leadership and Ownership Changes
Kirill Zubovsky’s sale of the site in October 2023 created an “ownership vacuum.” Although the buyer seemingly kept the site running (with occasional promotions as late as late 2024), there were no major updates, no growth campaigns, no obvious vision.
Without active leadership, the platform plateaued — and then quietly slid into obscurity.
5. Fundraising and Capital Constraints
There’s no evidence SmartyNames ever raised venture capital. While bootstrapping helped spark its launch, lack of funding may have hindered scaling.
- No big marketing pushes.
- No product expansions.
- No ability to fend off encroaching competitors.
Bootstrapping is great for independence, but rough for winning “winner-take-most” markets.
6. Timing and External Factors
The 2022–2023 AI boom was both a blessing and a curse.
While AI excitement drove initial interest, the market was quickly overcrowded — and users shifted toward solutions offering more than "just one thing."
Without strong brand loyalty or major technical differentiation, SmartyNames was easy to overlook in the AI gold rush.
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Comparing SmartyNames to a Thriving Competitor: GoDaddy’s Domain Generator
To understand why SmartyNames faded while others thrived, let’s look at GoDaddy’s AI-powered domain name tool.
What GoDaddy Did Right:
- Integrated domain ideas with immediate hosting, email, and website builder upsells.
- Leveraged a massive existing customer base.
- Structured upselling and bundled services to maximize revenue per user.
Meanwhile, SmartyNames:
- Offered great standalone suggestions — but no ecosystem to keep users hooked.
- Couldn't upsell hosting, websites, or emails (since it didn’t provide them).
- Lacked the brand power and experience GoDaddy wielded.
The takeaway? In rapidly evolving markets, being “good enough” isn’t enough — you have to offer an end-to-end journey, not just a single stop.
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Final Thoughts: Lessons from SmartyNames’ Quiet Fade
SmartyNames wasn’t a “bad idea” — far from it. It was early, clever, and served a meaningful entrepreneurial need.
But timing, competition, narrow product scope, and leadership transition meant it couldn’t adapt as the market evolved.
The big lesson:
Even a great idea needs reinvestment, continuous innovation, and strategic positioning to survive in brutally competitive markets. Otherwise, you risk becoming a stepping stone — not a destination.
SmartyNames may not have completely “shut down,” but it teaches one timeless lesson: staying alive in tech isn’t just about launching. It’s about relentlessly evolving afterward.
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FAQs About SmartyNames
Who founded SmartyNames?
SmartyNames was founded by entrepreneur Kirill Zubovsky in 2022.
When did SmartyNames launch?
It launched in 2022 during the early surge of AI-driven online tools.
When did SmartyNames shut down?
SmartyNames technically did not shut down; however, it was sold in October 2023, and active development seems to have stalled since.
How much funding did SmartyNames raise?
There are no public records showing that SmartyNames raised venture capital. It appears to have been bootstrapped.
Why did SmartyNames fail?
It struggled due to fierce competition, limited monetization opportunities, leadership changes after its sale, and challenges standing out in a saturated AI tool market.
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If you've ever toyed with launching a tech startup, SmartyNames' story is a bittersweet reminder: the launch is just page one. Success — real, lasting success — writes the chapters that follow.
What is smartynames.com?
Smartynames.com is a website offering a business name generator powered by AI. The tool assists users in finding premium domain names that are still available at regular prices. By describing their company, users can receive unique responses from the AI, along with information on domain availability, price estimates, and links to purchase the domains from popular sources.
Additionally, Smartynames.com provides a premium subscription option, granting users more search credits, faster results, access to a wider range of domains for sale, and priority list access. Premium subscribers can also list their own domains for sale on the platform. This feature caters to those who are seeking enhanced benefits and opportunities for their online business ventures.
In conclusion, Smartynames.com serves as a valuable tool for individuals aiming to establish or expand their online business presence with a captivating and memorable name.
How does smartynames.com work?
Smartynames.com is an AI-powered website that aids users in discovering the ideal domain name for their business. The process involves submitting a brief company description, and in return, the AI generates unique and appealing domain name suggestions that are available for purchase. Users can also verify domain availability, obtain price estimates, and access links to buy the domains from popular platforms.
Here's how Smartynames.com works:
- Visit smartynames.com and input a concise description of your company into the text box. For instance, you might write, ""My company will be a news site that covers all things startups and technology.""
- Click the ""Generate"" button and allow the AI to process your description, providing a list of domain name ideas related to your company. Examples include PingViewInk.com, WebTextAffiliate.com, RelaxTrailer.com, and more.
- Review the list of suggested domains and identify ones that appeal to you. You can explore additional options by clicking the ""See all the domains available today"" link, and also apply filters to refine the results based on factors such as length, price, or popularity.
- Should you find a domain that suits your needs, click the ""Buy"" button next to it. You will then be redirected to a page where you can assess domain availability, receive a price estimate, and access links to make the purchase from reputable providers like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Shopify.
- If you wish to list your own domains for sale on Smartynames.com, you have the option to subscribe to a premium plan, which offers various benefits such as increased search credits, faster results, access to more domains for sale, and priority listing. Moreover, you can utilize additional tools like the domain validator for quick availability checks or the reverse domain name search to identify similar domains available for purchase.
In summary, Smartynames.com presents an excellent resource for individuals seeking to establish or enhance their online business presence with an attention-grabbing and memorable domain name.
How much does smartynames.com cost?
Smartynames.com is a website that provides a business name generator utilizing AI technology, aimed at assisting users in finding premium domain names that are still available at regular prices. The platform offers various pricing plans tailored to cater to diverse needs and preferences. Below are the details of the pricing plans:
- Free Plan: This plan is available at no cost and grants users 25 search credits per month, 10 results per search, and access to 10 regular domains for sale each day. However, users on this plan cannot list their own domains for sale or access premium domains for sale.
- Domain Ninja Plan: Priced at $29 per month, this plan offers 100 search credits per month, up to 20 results per search, and access to 25 regular domains for sale daily. Subscribers to this plan can list one of their own domains for sale monthly and access 15 premium domains for sale each day. Additionally, users enjoy basic domain generation speed and priority access to the list.
- Domain Fox Plan: Available at $69 per month, this plan provides users with 200 search credits per month, up to 50 results per search, and access to 50 regular domains for sale daily. Along with listing five of their own domains for sale each month, subscribers can access 25 premium domains for sale daily. Like the previous plan, this one also offers basic domain generation speed and priority list access.
- Domain Piggy Plan: Priced at $99 per month, this plan offers 500 search credits per month, up to 100 results per search, and access to 75 regular domains for sale daily. Users on this plan can list 30 of their own domains for sale each month and access 45 premium domains for sale daily. Additionally, they benefit from 2x faster domain generation speed and priority list access.
- Domain Unicorn Plan: The most comprehensive plan at $499 per month, this option provides users with unlimited search credits per month, 100 or more results per search, and access to 100 regular domains for sale daily. Subscribers can list 100 of their own domains for sale each month and access 70 premium domains for sale daily. Furthermore, they enjoy 10x faster domain generation speed and priority access to the list.
Users are encouraged to select the pricing plan that best aligns with their budget and requirements. Additionally, the service offers the flexibility to cancel the subscription at any time if users are unsatisfied. In conclusion, Smartynames.com proves to be a valuable tool for individuals seeking to establish or expand their online business presence with a captivating and memorable domain name.
How to sign up for smartynames.com?
To register for smartynames.com, you can follow these straightforward steps:
- Visit smartynames.com and locate the ""Sign Up"" button situated at the top right corner of the website.
- Provide your email address and select a password to create your account. Alternatively, you have the option to sign up using your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account if you prefer.
- Choose a pricing plan that best aligns with your requirements. The available options include the free plan and several premium plans offering enhanced benefits. You can also modify your plan selection at any time.
- If you opt for a premium plan, confirm your payment details. Payment can be made using your credit card or PayPal account. Upon successful payment processing, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Begin utilizing smartynames.com to discover the ideal domain name for your business. Furthermore, you can conveniently access your account settings, search history, and domain listings from the user-friendly dashboard.
By following these steps, you will have successfully registered for smartynames.com, gaining access to its features and functionalities.
What are the benefits of smartynames.com?
Smartynames.com is a website offering an AI-powered business name generator, designed to assist users in finding premium domain names that are still available at standard prices. The tool offers numerous benefits, including:
- Time and Effort Saving: Users can save time and effort as the AI generates unique and captivating domain names based on their company description. This eliminates the need for manual brainstorming and checking each domain's availability individually.
- Relevant Domain Names: The AI suggests domain names that align with the user's niche, industry, or target audience. It considers keywords, tone, and style, allowing users to filter results by length, price, or popularity to find the most suitable fit for their business.
- Access to Premium Domains: Smartynames.com provides access to premium domains offered by other users or domain brokers. These domains typically possess higher value, memorability, and authority compared to regular domains. Users can also review price estimates and purchase the domains from reputable platforms like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Shopify.
- Listing Own Domains for Sale: Premium subscribers have the advantage of listing their own domains for sale on the platform. This enhances their reach to potential buyers, facilitating quicker and easier domain sales. Additionally, users can utilize the domain validator tool for one-click availability checks or the reverse domain name search tool to explore similar domains available for purchase.
- Creative and Enjoyable Experience: Smartynames.com offers users the opportunity to engage in creative endeavors. They can generate domain names for personal projects, blogs, hobbies, or amusement purposes. Moreover, sharing favorite domain names with friends or social media followers adds to the enjoyment.
In summary, Smartynames.com serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking catchy and relevant domain names for their businesses or personal projects. Its AI-driven capabilities and access to premium domains make it an attractive tool for domain name exploration and acquisition.
