How many expired domains get caught?
Most expired domains drop and nobody registers them again. A small share are caught within minutes, usually by a drop-catching service working for someone who placed a backorder. Here is what our own re-checks show, updated every hour.
How often dropped names are caught
After each name drops we ask the registry whether it is free. A name that is already registered again was caught, usually by a drop-catching service or a backorder.
| Quality score | Names checked | Caught |
|---|---|---|
| 60+ | 20 | 90% |
| 45-59 | 113 | 48% |
| 30-44 | 517 | 21% |
| under 30 | 2,386 | 19% |
Where a band is caught often, waiting for the drop rarely works: place a backorder before it instead.
How we measure it
After each name on the registry drop lists drops, we ask the registry, through its public RDAP service, whether the name is free. A name that is already registered again was caught. A name that is free can be registered by anyone at the normal price. We check every dropped name we track, starting with the newest, so the figures grow with each day's drops.
What the figures mean for you
- Most names are there for the taking. If a name you like is on the just dropped list and shows as available, you can usually register it straight away.
- Strong names go fast. The higher a name's quality score, the more likely it is to be caught. For a name you really want, a backorder before the drop gives you the best chance.
- See what others wanted. The caught domains list shows which names were registered again straight after dropping, a good guide to what is in demand.
Why some names are not checked
A few registries have no public RDAP service, or answer slowly, so some names are left until the next check. Names still being deleted are checked again later. Figures for each score band appear once enough names have been checked.
More guides
- How to buy an expired domain
- Types of expired domains
- How to choose a good expired domain
- Expired domain red flags
- Expired domain tools compared
- Aged domains explained
- How to find expired domains
- Are expired domains good for SEO?
- How to backorder a domain
- Expired domains with backlinks
- What is pending delete?
- The domain redemption period
- How .uk domains drop
- How to value a domain
- Redirecting an expired domain
- Building a site on an expired domain
- Expired domain or new domain?
- Whois and RDAP explained
- Drop catching explained
- Expired domains for small businesses
- How to check a domain before you buy
- Expiry, redemption and pending delete
- How we score domains
Frequently asked questions
How do you measure how many domains get caught?
After each drop we ask the registry whether the name is registered again. Registered means caught; free means anyone can still register it.