Expired vs Dropped vs Backorder: Domain Terminology Explained
The terms "expired," "dropped," and "backorder" are often used when buying domains with existing Domain Rating and backlinks. Here’s what each means and how the lifecycle works.
What Is an Expired Domain?
An expired domain is one whose registration period has ended and has not been renewed by the registrant. From the moment the registration expires, the domain is "expired," but it is not immediately available for anyone else to register.
After expiration, the domain usually enters a grace period (often 30–45 days) where the original owner can still renew at the normal price. Then it may enter a redemption period (often 30 days) where the owner can still recover it, usually at a higher fee. Only after that does it move to pending delete and then become available again.
During this time, the domain’s SEO value—backlinks, history, authority—typically remains. That’s why expired domains are attractive for SEO: you can acquire a name that already has link equity once it becomes available.
What Is a Dropped Domain?
A dropped domain (or "deleted" domain) is one that has gone through the full post-expiration process and has been released by the registry. At that point it is no longer owned by anyone and can be registered on a first-come, first-served basis—or captured via backorder.
In practice, "dropped" is often used to mean "available for registration again." So when people say they want to "grab dropped domains," they usually mean domains that have just become available after expiration and deletion.
What Is a Backorder?
A backorder is a service where you pay a provider to attempt to register a specific domain the instant it drops. Because many people can backorder the same domain, providers often run an auction among backorder customers; the winner gets the domain when it drops.
Backorder is useful when you have a specific expired domain in mind (e.g. one with strong backlinks or a good name). You don’t have to manually try to register it at the exact drop time—the backorder service does that. If you’re the only backorder, you usually get it at a set fee; if there are multiple backorders, you may need to win an auction. Learn more in our guide to domain auctions.
The Domain Lifecycle (Expiration to Dropped)
From expiration to available again:
- Expiration: Registration period ends.
- Grace period: Original owner can renew at standard price (often 30–45 days).
- Redemption period: Owner can still recover at a higher fee (often ~30 days).
- Pending delete: Domain is scheduled for release (often ~5 days).
- Dropped / available: Domain can be registered by anyone or captured via backorder/auction.
Where to Get Expired, Dropped, and Backorder Domains
- Backorder and auction services: GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, SnapNames, and similar platforms list expiring/dropped domains and offer backorder and auction.
- Expired domain lists: Aggregators and tools list domains that have expired or are about to drop so you can research and backorder.
- Domain marketplaces: Sites like Brutal Domains sell vetted expired/aged domains with verified metrics (e.g. DR, referring domains) so you can buy with clearer quality signals instead of racing at drop time.