Expired Domains: Pending Delete, Auction & Redemption

When a domain expires, it enters one of three exit paths: pending delete, auction, or redemption. We track all three daily across .COM, .NET, and .ORG, capturing volume, age distribution, and TLD-level patterns.

Lifecycle stage: Expiration & Exit · Domains leave the active pool and either get deleted, auctioned, or recovered.

All Deleting
171,999
Main gTLDs Deleting
102,752
Main gTLDs Auction
68,130
Main gTLDs Redemption
90,940

*Data represents domains we monitor, not all existing domains

Pending Delete Domains

ABTdomain monitored 102,752 domains across main gTLDs entering deletion today.

Data from: April 7, 2026

View Pending Delete Domains →

Expired Auction Domains

ABTdomain tracked 68,130 domains across main gTLDs with auctions ending today.

Data from: April 7, 2026

View Expired Auction Domains →

Domains Entering Redemption Period

ABTdomain identified 90,940 domains across main gTLDs entering redemption today.

Data from: April 7, 2026

View Domains Entering Redemption Period →

Where Expiration Fits in the Domain Lifecycle

Expiration is the exit stage of the domain lifecycle. Domains flow here from the active pool, and the balance between new registrations and expirations defines TLD health. After expiration, domains either get auctioned, enter redemption, or are deleted and return to the available pool. Our Domain Monitor tracks what happens next: re-registration, NS changes, and ownership transitions.

Lifecycle Closure Rate: Of domains that reached pending delete on Apr 1, 13.7% were re-registered within 29 days, completing the lifecycle loop back to registration.

← Registration

High registration volume paired with high expiration rates can signal speculative activity in a TLD.

← Active Domains

The ratio of active to expired domains across TLDs reveals market maturity and churn patterns.

→ Domain Monitor

Expired domains that get re-registered and show immediate state changes may indicate drop catching activity.

→ Periodic Reports

Expiration volume and exit path distribution are key inputs to our periodic market intelligence.

Expired Domains & the Domain Lifecycle

What happens when a domain expires? +
After expiration, a domain enters one of three paths: it may go to auction during a grace period (typically 30-45 days), enter a 30-day redemption period where only the original owner can recover it, or move to pending delete, a final 5-day window before the domain is deleted and becomes available for re-registration. We track all three paths daily across .com, .net, and .org.
What do expired domain patterns reveal about the market? +
Expiration data is one side of the domain lifecycle equation. When a TLD shows high new registration volume but also rising expiration rates, it often signals speculative behavior, with domains registered for short-term use rather than long-term projects. Conversely, TLDs with low expiration rates relative to their active pool tend to have more committed registrants. Our periodic reports connect these patterns across lifecycle stages.
Why does domain age matter in expiration data? +
The age of an expiring domain signals different things. Older domains (10+ years) entering expiration may indicate business closures, brand changes, or portfolio cleanup. These often have established backlinks and search history. Younger domains (under 2 years) expiring in volume typically reflect speculative registrations that did not pay off. The age distribution charts on this page help distinguish between these patterns.
What is the difference between pending delete and redemption? +
Redemption is a 30-day window where only the original owner can recover the domain, typically at a higher fee. Pending delete is the final 5-day countdown before the domain is permanently deleted from the registry and becomes available for anyone to register. Domains in redemption may still be recovered; domains in pending delete almost certainly will not be.
How does expiration data connect to domain monitoring? +
Our Domain Monitor tracks state changes on premium domains throughout the day. When an expired domain gets re-registered and immediately shows nameserver changes or registrar transfers, it may indicate drop catching operations or automated acquisition. Connecting expiration data with monitoring data provides a more complete picture of what happens to high-value domains after they leave the active pool.

Latest Expired Domain Reports

Report

Aged Domains Entering Auction, April 09, 2026

On April 09, 2026, ABTdomain recorded 3680 aged domains (10+ years) entering the auction stage, one of three exit paths…

Apr 7, 2026 Expired

Aged Domains (20+ Years) Entering Pending Delete, April 09, 2026

On April 09, 2026, ABTdomain recorded 1124 domains (20+ years old) entering the pending delete stage. Pending delete is the…

Apr 7, 2026 Expired

.NET Domains (10-20 Years) Entering Pending Delete, April 09, 2026

On April 09, 2026, ABTdomain recorded 625 NET domains (10-20 years old) entering the pending delete stage. These domains are…

Apr 7, 2026 Expired

.COM Domains (10-20 Years) Entering Pending Delete, April 09, 2026, Part 2

On April 09, 2026, ABTdomain recorded 2647 COM domains (10-20 years old) entering the pending delete stage (Part 2). These…

Apr 7, 2026 Expired

.COM Domains (10-20 Years) Entering Pending Delete, April 09, 2026, Part 1

ABTdomain tracked 3000 COM domains (10-20 years) in pending delete on April 09, 2026 (Part 1). Domains in this stage…

Apr 7, 2026