Top Auction Platforms
GoDaddy Auctions
Largest marketplace. Includes both expired domains and user listings. $4.99/year membership required.
Best for: Volume and variety
NameJet
Specializes in expired domains from multiple registrars. Good for premium expired names.
Best for: Quality expired domains
DropCatch
Catches expiring domains the moment they drop. Competitive for valuable names.
Best for: Catching specific domains
Dynadot Marketplace
Integrated with their registrar. Includes user-listed and expired domains.
Best for: Dynadot users
Sedo
Large international marketplace. More premium/broker-style listings.
Best for: Premium domains, international
What to Look For
- Backlink profile: Check with Ahrefs, Moz, or Majestic
- Domain age: Older domains can carry more authority
- Clean history: Use Wayback Machine to check for spam/adult content
- Existing traffic: Some expired domains still get visitors
- Spam score: Avoid domains penalized by Google
Warning Signs
- 🚩 Spammy backlink profile (PBNs, link farms)
- 🚩 Previous adult or gambling content
- 🚩 Trademark issues
- 🚩 Too-good-to-be-true metrics
- 🚩 Recent Google penalty
Honest Take
Expired domain hunting is time-consuming and risky. Most valuable domains are caught by professionals with automated systems. For most people, registering a fresh domain and building authority naturally is a better strategy.
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