An “expiring domain” refers to a domain name whose registration period is about to end. When a domain name is registered, it’s typically done so for a specific period of time, often one to ten years. If the owner of the domain does not renew the registration before the expiry date, the domain becomes expired.
After a domain expires, there’s usually a grace period during which the original owner can still renew the domain. If it’s not renewed during this grace period, the domain may enter a redemption period where it can still be reclaimed, but often at a higher cost.
If the domain is not renewed or reclaimed, it eventually becomes available for anyone to register again. This is known as the domain dropping or becoming a “dropped domain”.
Expiring and dropped domains are of particular interest to domain investors, as they can often be acquired at a lower cost than buying a domain directly from a current owner. Additionally, if an expiring domain has a high-quality name or was previously associated with a well-trafficked website, it can be a valuable addition to an investor’s portfolio.
There are services and platforms that track these expiring domains, providing investors with opportunities to acquire potentially valuable domains. Examples include platforms like GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, and SnapNames.