Understanding Expired Domains
What happens when domains expire and where they end up for auction
Domain Expiration Timeline
When a domain name expires, it doesn't immediately become available for registration. Instead, it goes through several stages:
Expiration Date
Domain registration officially ends
Grace Period (30 days)
Owner can renew at standard price
Auction Period (After Grace Period)
Domain enters auction at registrar's chosen platform. In most cases, this will be GoDaddy Auctions. See below for all registrar's platforms.
Optional Redemption Period (30-60 days)
Renewal may be possible if the domain didn't sell at auction. Premium prices may apply.
Pending Delete (5 days)
Domain scheduled for release
Where Do Expired Domains Go?
After expiration, domains are sent to different auction platforms depending on the original registrar. You can either search below or view the complete table:
Important Note
Some registrars may have different policies or timeframes. Always check with your specific registrar for their exact expiration and auction procedures. Often this can be found in your registrar's terms of service.
Monitoring Expired Domains
To track domains that might be expiring soon or monitor specific domains through their expiration process, you can:
- Set up domain monitoring with DomainDetails.io Pro
- Automatically get notified if the domain status changes
- Monitor auction platforms for specific domains
- Use backorder services to attempt acquisition
Best Practices
Whether you're looking to acquire expired domains or protect your own, follow these best practices:
- Enable auto-renewal for important domains
- Keep registrar contact information up to date
- Monitor domain status regularly
- Research domain history before bidding
- Understand each platform's auction rules
Monitor Your Domains with DomainDetails.io Pro
Get alerts before your domains expire and track domain status changes automatically.