Drop Catching Explained: How Expired Domains Are Caught

Drop catching means registering a domain the instant the registry deletes it. Specialist services do it at a speed no person can match, which is why the most wanted names are gone within a second of dropping.

How it works

Drop-catching services run many accredited registrars, or connections to them, and send registration requests to the registry right as a name is released. The first successful request wins. Customers place backorders in advance, and the service tries for every name that has one.

Which names get caught

A small share of all names. The ones caught are usually short, made of real words, in strong extensions, with history or links, or taken in many other extensions. Our catch-rate figures show how the share rises with quality score, and the caught domains list shows real examples.

What it means for you

For a name you really want: place backorders with more than one service.
For everything else: you have time. Register it after the drop from the deleted domains list.
If it was caught: the new owner may sell it, often at auction. A whois lookup shows its new registrar.

Compare services in auctions, backorders and drop-catching and expired domain tools compared.

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Frequently asked questions

Is drop catching legal?

Yes. It is ordinary registration through accredited registrars, just done very fast at the moment a name is released.

Can I drop catch a domain myself?

You can try to register it the moment it drops, but specialist services are much faster. For a wanted name, a backorder is the realistic option.

How fast are expired domains caught?

The most wanted names are registered within a second or so of being released. Most names are never caught at all.