Expired domains can be valuable assets, an expired domain is a domain name that was once registered but has not been renewed by the owner, making it available for others to purchase.
These domains often carry a history of backlinks, traffic, and, sometimes, a level of authority that can provide a head start for SEO efforts or business projects.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to find expired domains and why they’re valuable, where to search for them, and tips on choosing the best ones to support your online ventures.
Why Expired Domains are Valuable
Before we get into how to find expired domains, let’s first explore why people actively seek them.
1. SEO Advantages
Expired domains can come with a pre-existing backlink profile. If the previous owner built backlinks from reputable websites, the domain may have accumulated authority that you can leverage for your own SEO purposes.
Instead of starting from scratch with a new domain, buying an expired domain with solid backlinks can boost your site’s rankings faster.
2. Established Traffic
Some expired domains may still receive organic traffic from their old website content, particularly if the site was indexed by search engines.
By redirecting this traffic to your new website or keeping the content in place, you could benefit from visitors that the domain already attracts.
3. Branding Opportunities
Finding the right expired domain can be a huge advantage in terms of branding. Perhaps a domain closely matches the name of your business or project, or it could be a short, memorable URL that’s perfect for your brand.
4. Flipping Domains for Profit
Some people search for expired domains with the intent of domain flipping—buying domains and selling them at a higher price.
High-value domains, especially those with strong backlinks, short names, or industry-specific terms, can fetch a good price on the resale market.
How to Find Expired Domains
Now that you know why expired domains are so valuable, let’s dive into how to find them. There are several methods and tools available for locating expired domains, each with its pros and cons.
1. Using Expired Domain Marketplaces
One of the simplest ways to find expired domains is by using specialized marketplaces and platforms that list expired or expiring domains.
These tools make the process easy by aggregating domain information in one place, often including important SEO metrics that help you assess a domain’s value.
Here are some of the top platforms to use:
1.1 ExpiredDomains.net
ExpiredDomains.net is a free service that provides a comprehensive database of expired and expiring domains. The platform is well-organized, with filters that allow you to search for domains based on specific criteria such as:
- Domain age
- Backlink profile
- Domain extension (e.g., .com, .org, .net)
- SEO metrics like Domain Authority (DA) or Page Authority (PA)
You can also filter domains by keywords, ensuring you find domains that are relevant to your niche.
1.2 GoDaddy Auctions
GoDaddy Auctions is one of the largest domain auction platforms where you can find domains that are about to expire or have recently expired. This platform offers:
- A vast selection of domains for purchase
- An easy-to-use bidding system
- Expiring domain lists for those looking to snag a good deal
The auction model can be competitive, but you may come across high-value domains at lower prices than usual.
1.3 NameJet
NameJet is another popular auction platform for finding expired domains, especially premium domains that might have a strong history.
NameJet often lists expiring domains that haven’t yet dropped (meaning they are about to be released back into the public domain).
This allows you to bid on valuable domains before they become publicly available, which can give you a competitive edge.
1.4 SnapNames
SnapNames works similarly to NameJet and GoDaddy Auctions. It specializes in “backordering” domains—this means you can place a claim on a domain before it officially expires.
If the current owner fails to renew the domain, SnapNames will attempt to secure it for you. It’s a useful service for tracking domains that you know will expire soon.
2. Using Domain Scraper Tools
If you’re more interested in exploring specific niches or domains with strong SEO potential, using domain scraper tools can be an effective strategy.
These tools scan the web for domains that have recently expired or are about to expire, offering you real-time data.
2.1 Domain Hunter Gatherer
Domain Hunter Gatherer is a premium tool that helps you find expired domains with strong backlink profiles. The tool allows you to search based on keyword relevance, filter by SEO metrics, and even check the backlink quality of domains.
Additionally, Domain Hunter Gatherer comes with features for finding expired Web 2.0 properties (such as expired Blogger or WordPress domains) that can still provide valuable backlinks if repurposed.
2.2 SpamZilla
SpamZilla specializes in filtering out low-quality or spammy expired domains. It integrates with other domain tools like Moz, Majestic, and Ahrefs, giving you detailed information on SEO metrics and backlink quality.
SpamZilla can be particularly helpful if you’re focused on avoiding domains with toxic links or black-hat SEO histories.
2.3 Ahrefs Backlink Checker
While Ahrefs is primarily an SEO tool, its backlink checker feature can be useful when evaluating expired domains.
You can use Ahrefs to look at a domain’s backlink profile, anchor text distribution, and historical performance, ensuring that the domain you purchase is worth the investment.
3. Backordering Expiring Domains
If you’ve found a domain that hasn’t expired yet but is close, you can use backordering services to try and claim it as soon as it becomes available.
Backordering places a reservation on a domain, and if the current owner fails to renew it, the backorder service will attempt to register the domain on your behalf.
Popular backordering services include:
- GoDaddy Backorder
- DropCatch
- NameJet Backorder
While backordering doesn’t guarantee that you’ll secure the domain, it increases your chances, especially if multiple buyers are interested.
4. Checking Expired Domains via Web Archive Tools
Once you’ve found an expired domain, it’s crucial to research its history. Not all expired domains are worth pursuing, especially if the domain was used for spammy or malicious purposes.
You can use tools like Wayback Machine or Archive.org to look at the historical content of a domain. This will help you determine:
- If the domain was used for legitimate purposes
- Whether the content aligns with your niche
- If there were any potentially harmful activities associated with the domain
5. Evaluating SEO Metrics
Not every expired domain is valuable from an SEO perspective. Here are some key metrics to look for when evaluating expired domains:
- Domain Authority (DA): Developed by Moz, DA predicts how likely a domain is to rank in search engines. The higher the DA, the better.
- Page Authority (PA): This measures the likelihood of a specific page on a domain ranking well in SERPs.
- Backlink Profile: Ensure the domain has quality backlinks from reputable sites, not spammy or low-authority sites.
- Anchor Text Distribution: Check for overly optimized anchor texts that may have been used in manipulative SEO practices.
- Organic Traffic: If a domain still receives organic traffic, that’s a great sign of its SEO value.
Best Practices for Choosing an Expired Domain
Here are some tips to help you choose the right expired domain:
- Stay Relevant: Choose a domain that’s relevant to your niche. This ensures any existing backlinks and traffic align with your website’s goals.
- Avoid Spammy Histories: Use tools like the Wayback Machine or SEO tools to investigate the domain’s history. Avoid domains that were used for spam, as they may have penalties.
- Check for Manual Penalties: Use Google Search Console to see if the domain has been penalized. A domain with a penalty may have a harder time ranking well in the future.
- Look for Natural Backlinks: Prioritize domains with natural, organic backlinks from authoritative websites. Avoid domains with manipulated or black-hat SEO practices.
Conclusion
Finding and securing an expired domain can be a powerful way to jumpstart your SEO efforts, redirect traffic to a new project, or even create a brand with an existing web presence.
By using the tools and methods outlined in this guide such as marketplaces, scraping tools, and backordering services you can identify high-value expired domains that fit your goals.
Just remember to thoroughly vet each domain for quality before making a purchase. With the right strategy, an expired domain can be an asset that provides lasting benefits for your online business or project.
