Learn how domains really work
Everything we know about domain expiry, drops, backorders and recovery — written plainly, with no upsell at the end. Pick a guide:
What happens when a domain expires?
The full lifecycle from missed renewal to public drop, step by step.
TimingWhen does an expired domain become available?
Why "expired" doesn't mean "available" — and how to count the days.
LifecycleThe redemption period, explained
The 30-day safety net after deletion — who can restore, what it costs.
LifecyclePending delete: the final five days
The point of no return — and exactly when the name comes back to market.
Catching dropsDomain backorders, explained
How drop-catching works, what it costs, and when it's worth it.
ccTLD rulesHow .uk and .co.uk domain expiry works
Nominet's gentler, slower timeline — suspension at day 30, drop at day 92.
How data worksWHOIS vs RDAP: where the data comes from
The two protocols behind every domain lookup — and why RDAP is winning.
ReferenceEPP status codes, decoded
What clientHold, serverTransferProhibited and friends actually mean.
RecoveryHow to recover an expired domain
What to do at each stage — from free renewal to catching it at the drop.
SEOExpired domains and SEO: what survives the drop?
What happens to backlinks and authority when a domain dies and is reborn.
ReferenceExpiry & drop rules, TLD by TLD
The same domain takes 65 days or 92 days — or 0 — depending on its ending.
Best practiceHow to never lose a domain
The boring, bulletproof checklist that makes accidental expiry impossible.
Catching dropsExpired domain auctions: buying before the drop
Why the best expired domains never drop at all — they get auctioned first.