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 the moment as a part of Google’s early access period, however it’ll value you further. The worth drops to its base annual payment on December fifth, when the area turns into publicly accessible, however domains are already getting snatched up. Google says “.meme is right here that can assist you lol, unfold concepts and specific your self,” however my solely query is, did anybody ask? I really like web tradition and memes as a lot as the following man, however I’m critically frightened of the cringe-y companies who will abuse this top-level area.
We’ve all seen how massive manufacturers like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and even the Detroit Lions, have tried to extend their reputation by lively 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 seems 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 wished 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 daily till December fifth, when it looks like you possibly can pay a extra cheap yearly worth for a website identify. Nonetheless, you may miss out on probably the most epic domains. I didn’t cough up the $12k, so be happy to personal me and buy maxzeff.meme.
Some companies have jumped the gun and already made some web sites, and so they’re about as scary as you’d anticipate. 4 out of ten of them are cat web sites, together with some outdated favorites reminiscent of grumpycat.meme, nyancat.meme, and keyboardcat.meme.
One of many web sites, marketing.meme, tells you to “cease overpaying for meme media plans” on its dwelling web page, providing providers to manufacturers trying to get entangled with meme tradition. The meme advertising firm says it’s crucial you “don’t drive your model into unrelated conversations,” however that appears like precisely what companies attempting to co-opt a meme is.
All the idea of Google’s .meme feels disrespectful of meme tradition typically. It doesn’t think about what memes are: ownerless concepts and jokes that originate organically on the web. One of many web sites, license.meme, even affords licensing providers to personal a particular meme. Firms are undoubtedly going to be the audience of this top-level area with shameless ploys to commoditize web tradition.
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