Expired Domain Acquisition Framework: Filters, Bidding, Risk
Systematic approach to sourcing, evaluating, and bidding on expiring and deleting domains without overpaying.
By Acquisitions•8/6/2025•2 min read
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Expired Domain Acquisition Framework: Filters, Bidding, Risk
High-quality expiring domains are competitive. Discipline avoids auction froth.
Source Channels
- Pre-release auctions (registrar partnered)
- Pending delete drop lists
- Private seller outreach
- Backorder capture networks
Filtering Pipeline
- Length & keyword whitelist
- Exclude trademarks & adult terms
- Historical spam check (Wayback + link profile)
- Traffic / backlink quality metrics
- Shortlist scoring
Link Profile Vetting
| Signal | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Referring domains | Diverse, relevant | Single PBN cluster |
| Anchor text | Branded / generic | Over-optimized money terms |
| TLD distribution | Natural mix | Heavy .xyz/.info spam |
Sample Scoring Components
Score = (CleanHistory*3) + (BacklinkQuality*2.5) + (Brandability*2) + (TypeInPotential*1.5) - (RiskPenalty*2)
Bidding Discipline
- Set walk-away bid (expected resale * margin target)
- Pre-commit increments (avoid emotional jumps)
- Use proxy bidding when possible
Drop Catch Strategy
- Multiple services for high-tier names
- Track capture rate per service monthly
- Reallocate budget to best performer
Post-Acquisition Checklist
- Immediate registrar lock
- Nameserver update + placeholder page
- Indexation audit (ensure no legacy penalties)
- Add to portfolio tracker with acquisition cost
Risk Watchouts
- Hidden UDRP history
- Residual malware / phishing associations
- Artificial traffic inflation (bot nets during auction)
Want an automated expiring list scorer here? Just request it.