Understanding Domain Expiration and What Happens After

Domain expiration is a common occurrence in website and brand management, and understanding its implications is crucial. Once a domain expires, it ceases to function, and you lose the ability to make any updates to the domain. However, with the right actions, you can often revive your domain or recover it through various registrars. This article will guide you through the process and provide insights into what happens after a domain expires.

Domain Expiration and Deactivation

When a domain expires, it enters a period of inactivity. All services linked to the domain will stop working immediately. Updates to the domain name, such as changes to DNS settings or website content, will cease. The domain will still be listed among your expired domains, and you can reactivate it for a fee if you act quickly.

For more information on this process and how it works, click here.

Grace and Redemption Periods

After the initial expiration, the domain enters a grace period, which can vary in length depending on the registrar. Typically, this period lasts for around 40 days. During this time, you can usually renew the domain at a premium price. If you fail to take action during the grace period, the domain moves into the redemption period, which is shorter, lasting about 30 days. During this window, you can attempt to purchase the domain at a higher rate, but you will have no control over who ends up with it.

Faulty Domains and Reclaiming Rights

Expired domains are often considered abandoned, meaning that you lose all rights to the domain unless you repurchase it before someone else does. Repurchasing the domain is crucial to avoid losing ownership and the potential value it holds.

For example, if you fail to renew your domain, most domain registrars will handle the situation differently. Godaddy, a prominent registrar, typically follows these steps:

Godaddy Domain Expiration Process

1. Domain Expires: Godaddy holds the domain and provides you with an opportunity to renew it, albeit at a higher rate.2. Premium Auction: If you do not renew within the grace period, the domain is put up for auction. Anyone can bid on it, but they must register the domain through Godaddy. This phase occurs approximately one month after expiration and the domain can be purchased at a premium price.3. Second-Hand Registration: If the auction fails to sell the domain, Godaddy opens it up for general registration at a lower price, but still exclusively through their platform. The exact timeline for this phase can vary.

Unfortunately, it is often the case that someone else will register it anyway, making it difficult to reclaim the domain.

Releasing Expired Domains for Registration

After approximately 75 days, expired domains become available for registration by new registrars. The process of releasing an expired domain is transparent and follows the policies set by domain registration authorities. However, this does not guarantee that your domain will be available, as it is subject to the bidding and registration processes of other registrars.

For a detailed walkthrough of the domain release process, click here.