What is the advantage of selecting a third level .com domain over a second level .net domain? Frequently, I notice that a particular keyword is available for free in .net, while all options are taken in .com.

Currently, both VR domains and crypto are extremely unpredictable, and only a few of them make it to actual end-users, which are typically not two-level domains.
The majority of these domains are purchased by domainers as long-term investments, with the most promising investments being in dot-coms. Recently, Dynadot dropped approximately 25 domains containing VR and another word, suggesting that the original purchaser failed to profit from the investment. While no one would even take such a domain for free in dotnet, there was still an objective chance to sell it in .com.

I would not recommend purchasing either three-level dot-coms or two-level dot-nets unless you plan to collect a portfolio of at least 50 domains. People make money from these domains because they have multiple positions, rather than because all the domains are commercially viable.

The two most frequently utilized domain extensions are .com and .net. If you cannot obtain your desired .com domain extension, it might be tempting to use .net; however, in most instances, .net is not suited for business purposes.

The "com" in the .com domain represents a commercial site that can include business sites, online moneymaking websites, personal sites, portfolios, blogs, and more. In contrast, the "network" in the .net domain implies internet, network, and email service providers. The .org domain was originally designed for non-profit organizations, while the .br domain indicates a Brazilian website. Typically, American domain names do not have a country extension at the end of their addresses, although some domain names feature the .us ending.

When should you choose a .com domain name? The .com domain extension has been associated with the internet since the late 1990s dotcom bubble, and it accounts for over 40% of all registered domains. This extension is easier for people to remember than any other domain extension, and it provides your website with a professional appearance. Furthermore, most mobile keyboards include a unique .com button that you will not find on any other extension.

The issue with .com domains is their high popularity, making it appear that all the good names have already been taken. Nonetheless, there are still numerous strategies to obtain the perfect .com domain, including coming up with a name that represents your business and what you do, utilizing online domain generators, and ensuring that your domain name is simple to pronounce and remember.

When should you use a .net domain extension? In some cases, such as offering internet services, networks, database hosting, email web hosting, or similar internet business, the .net domain extension is suitable. You can even opt to use a domain name .net if it truly complements your brand, as Behance.net has done for their online design community. Although less than 4% of all registered domain names utilize the .net extension, this makes the domain name more exclusive.

The advantage of selecting a third-level .com domain over a second-level .net domain primarily lies in the perceived credibility and familiarity associated with the .com extension. As .com is the most widely recognized and popular top-level domain (TLD), it is often preferred by users and considered more trustworthy.

Choosing a relevant keyword in the domain can help with search engine optimization and improve organic rankings. While a .net domain may be available for free with your desired keyword, it's important to consider the long-term implications. Users are more likely to remember and trust a website with a .com extension, potentially leading to more traffic and better brand recognition.

That being said, if the .com extension is entirely unavailable or if budget constraints are a concern, a .net domain can still serve its purpose effectively and be a viable choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific goals and circumstances.