Google launched a brand new top-level area that lets web site creators throw .meme on the finish of their URL on Tuesday, and I for one am already frightened of the web sites about to be created.
Web customers can create domains with .meme beginning at this time as a part of Google’s early entry interval, however it can value you further. The worth drops to its base annual price on December fifth, when the area turns into publicly obtainable, however domains are already getting snatched up. Google says “.meme is right here that will help you lol, unfold concepts and categorical your self,” however my solely query is, did anybody ask? I like web tradition and memes as a lot as the following man, however I’m severely frightened of the cringe-y firms who will abuse this top-level area.
We’ve all seen how giant manufacturers like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and even the Detroit Lions, have tried to extend their recognition by means of energetic social media campaigns on TikTok and X. Gen Z social media influencers increase company profiles with the trendiest memes, and sassy attitudes that make them really feel extra private. Whereas these are sometimes humorous, these manufacturers are commoditizing memes and web tradition. Google’s .meme appears like the following step in that development.
I attempted to create my private web site with Google’s new top-level area, maxzeff.meme. If I needed to make the web site on the primary day of the early entry interval, I’d need to pay a whopping $12,520 on GoDaddy.com. The worth drops day-after-day till December fifth, when it looks as if you possibly can pay a extra cheap yearly worth for a website identify. Nonetheless, you would possibly miss out on essentially the most epic domains. I didn’t cough up the $12k, so be happy to personal me and buy maxzeff.meme.
Some firms have jumped the gun and already made some web sites, they usually’re about as scary as you’d anticipate. 4 out of ten of them are cat web sites, together with some outdated favorites akin to grumpycat.meme, nyancat.meme, and keyboardcat.meme.
One of many web sites, advertising.meme, tells you to “cease overpaying for meme media plans” on its residence web page, providing providers to manufacturers seeking to become involved with meme tradition. The meme advertising firm says it’s crucial you “don’t power your model into unrelated conversations,” however that feels like precisely what firms attempting to co-opt a meme is.
Your complete idea of Google’s .meme feels disrespectful of meme tradition typically. It doesn’t take into account what memes are: ownerless concepts and jokes that originate organically on the web. One of many web sites, license.meme, even gives licensing providers to personal a selected meme. Companies are undoubtedly going to be the audience of this top-level area with shameless ploys to commoditize web tradition.