Where did the 'O' go?
.CM is confusingly similar to the world’s most popular domain extension .COM, making it a prime target for domain squatting activities over the years.
20 Aug 2021
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Have you ever missed the last letter when typing “.com” and ended up somewhere… less than ideal? You are not alone. In fact, the .co domain is one of the most popular targets for cybersquatters and trade mark infringers, precisely because it is only one keystroke away from .com.
At Lexsynergy, our advice is simple: if you own the .com, you should register the .co as well. That extra registration closes one of the most popular doors for opportunistic infringers.
The .co extension is not just a typo waiting to happen. It is the Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) for Colombia, officially used by businesses and organisations in that country.
Beyond its geographic use, its short and universal look has made the .co domain a popular choice as a global alternative to .com. Many businesses use .co to represent the words “company,” “corporation,” or “community” because it is short and allows them to register an otherwise taken .com domain.
This makes it popular with start-ups, creative brands and modern companies looking for a concise domain name.
.co stands out against the odds, as the thirteenth largest registered ccTLD, with over 7,000,000 active registrations. This is impressive when you consider that Colombia, the country behind .co, does not rank anywhere near thirteenth in most other global metrics:
In population, Colombia is around 27th or 28th, with approximately 52 million people.
In GDP by purchasing power parity, it ranks about 32nd globally.
In terms of internet penetration, Colombia stood at 77.3 percent in 2025. While this is a healthy figure, it still does not place the country anywhere near the very top of global internet adoption rankings.
These comparisons make it clear that the popularity of .co is not simply the result of Colombia’s domestic market size or digital maturity. Instead, it reflects strong external interest. It is therefore critical to register the .co alongside your .com and remove one of the easiest routes infringers can take to exploit your brand.
The .co extension is short, memorable, and versatile. However, it is also a prime target for typosquatting. If you already own the .com, protect your brand by securing the .co. At Lexsynergy, we make it easy to manage a global domain portfolio, do not let a missing “m” send your customers somewhere they should not be.
Not every domain registrar can provide every domain extension. Many ccTLDs have strict rules and require a registrar who has gone through the necessary compliance checks and country-specific approvals to receive an accreditation to sell that domain extension.
Lexsynergy is one of the most accredited domain registrars globally.
We can register domain names from Australia to Zimbabwe, including Colombia. That means when you work with Lexsynergy, you can protect your brand in places where other registrars cannot. You are getting expertise, international reach and a trusted partner who understands both the legal and practical aspects of domain name management.
.CM is confusingly similar to the world’s most popular domain extension .COM, making it a prime target for domain squatting activities over the years.
Avoid domain squatting and potential disputes by securing your domain name early.
Gain control of your domain portfolio with a secure, centralised solution.