How To Find Expired Domains With Backlinks [2023]

Looking to score some virtual real estate? Want a domain with history, authority, and a touch of mystery? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll spill the beans on how to find expired domains with backlinks.

The short answer? It’s like finding buried treasure in the vast ocean of the internet. But hold on, there’s more! Keep reading to unearth the secrets and discover the untapped potential of expired domains.

What Is An Expired Domain?

Before we dive into the strategies, it’s essential to understand what an expired domain actually is. 

As the name suggests, an expired domain refers to a web address that was once registered but has not been renewed by its owner. 

Consequently, these domains become available for purchase by anyone interested in their potential value.

What Can You Use Expired Domains For?

Expired domains possess inherent qualities that can be harnessed for various purposes. Let’s explore three popular methods that leverage the power of expired domains:

Method #1 – Building Authority Sites

One of the primary applications of expired domains with backlinks is the creation of authority sites. 

These are websites that are considered highly reputable and influential within a specific niche or industry. 

By acquiring an expired domain with a strong backlink profile, you can tap into its accumulated authority and kickstart your online presence.

Imagine stumbling upon an expired domain that was previously associated with a reputable website in your desired niche. 

This domain holds a treasure trove of backlinks from other authoritative websites, indicating its value. 

By acquiring and redeveloping this expired domain, you can inherit its established credibility, thereby accelerating your journey toward building an authoritative online presence.

Method #2 – Building A Private Blog Network

Another effective approach involving expired domains is the creation of a private blog network (PBN). 

A PBN is a network of interlinked websites that you control, enabling you to enhance the visibility and search engine rankings of your main website or client websites.

With expired domains, you can strategically build a PBN by acquiring domains relevant to your niche and leveraging their existing backlink profiles. 

By developing high-quality content on these domains and linking them to your target websites, you can significantly boost their search engine rankings and attract organic traffic.

Method #3 – 301 Redirects

A lesser-known but highly effective method involves utilizing the power of 301 redirects. In this approach, you acquire an expired domain and redirect its traffic to your existing website. 

By doing so, you can benefit from the acquired domain’s backlinks, redirecting them to your site and potentially increasing your search engine rankings.

To implement this method successfully, it’s crucial to find an expired domain that aligns with your niche or industry. 

By choosing a domain with relevant content and a strong backlink profile, you can leverage the power of 301 redirects to enhance your online visibility and attract a targeted audience.

How To Value Expired Domains

The value of an expired domain depends on several factors that determine its worth. Here are some key considerations to help you value expired domains accurately:

• Domain Age: Older domains tend to have a higher value as they may have an established online presence and accumulated backlinks.
• Backlink Profile: The number and quality of backlinks to an expired domain can significantly impact its value. A strong backlink profile can indicate a higher domain authority.
• Search Engine Rankings: If the expired domain has a history of ranking well in search engines, it can be a valuable asset for businesses looking to improve their online visibility.
• Domain Name: The domain name itself can be valuable if it is short, easy to remember, and includes relevant keywords.
• Niche Relevance: The relevance of the expired domain to your niche can also affect its value.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about whether an expired domain is worth investing in.

How to Spot Expired Domain Names

Now that we understand how to value expired domains let’s explore four effective ways to spot them:

1. Check the Domain You Like

If you come across a domain that you would like to acquire, the first step is to check its status. You can use various online tools to determine whether the domain is expired or still in use. 

For example, you can use WHOIS Lookup to check the registration details of the domain and see if it has expired.

2. Resort to Domain Registrars

Domain registrars are another useful resource for finding expired domains. Many domain registrars offer lists of expired domains that are up for auction or sale. 

You can use these lists to identify domains that align with your niche and have a strong backlink profile.

3. Go to Auctions

Domain auctions are a popular way to acquire expired domains, and many auction sites specialize in selling them. 

By participating in these auctions, you can bid on domains that match your criteria and have been deemed valuable by other buyers.

4. Use Domain Name Marketplaces

Domain marketplaces offer a wide variety of expired domains for sale, making them a convenient option for businesses looking to expand their online presence quickly. 

These marketplaces often provide tools to help you identify expired domains with high domain authority and relevant backlink profiles.

Auditing the Domain: Evaluating Key Metrics

When it comes to acquiring expired domains, conducting a thorough audit is essential to ensure you’re making an informed decision. 

In this section, we will explore four key metrics to consider when auditing a domain:

1. Backlinks

Backlinks play a crucial role in determining a domain’s authority and search engine rankings. 

During the audit, it’s vital to examine the quality, quantity, and relevance of the backlinks pointing to the expired domain. 

Tools like Ahrefs, Majestic, or Moz can provide valuable insights into the backlink profile, allowing you to assess the strength and credibility of the domain.

Evaluate the diversity of backlink sources, the anchor text distribution, and the overall authority of the linking domains. 

Quality backlinks from reputable websites can indicate a valuable domain with potential for organic traffic and improved search engine visibility.

2. Pagerank and Mozrank

Although Google’s PageRank algorithm is no longer publicly available, MozRank is a comparable metric that provides insights into the authority and popularity of a domain. 

Both metrics measure the quantity and quality of backlinks to assess a domain’s reputation.

While neither metric should be the sole determinant of a domain’s value, they can serve as valuable indicators during the audit process. 

Higher Pagerank or Mozrank scores suggest a domain with a stronger backlink profile and greater potential for organic visibility.

3. Domain Age

Domain age can influence a domain’s authority and search engine rankings. Older domains tend to have a head start in terms of established backlinks, trust, and reputation. 

During the audit, consider the domain’s age and assess whether its longevity contributes to its value.

However, domain age alone should not be the sole determining factor. 

A younger domain with a strong backlink profile and relevant content can still hold significant potential.

4. Google Index

Checking if the domain is indexed by Google is an important step in the audit process. Simply perform a search using the “site:” 

operator followed by the domain name (e.g., “site:example.com”). This search will show you the number of pages indexed by Google for the given domain.

If the domain has a low number of indexed pages or isn’t indexed at all, it could indicate potential issues such as penalties or poor site quality. 

On the other hand, a well-indexed domain suggests that search engines recognize and value its content.

How to Find Expired Domains Fast

Finding expired domains quickly requires efficient strategies and effective tools. Here are seven methods to expedite your search for expired domains:

1. Reverse Domains Hunt

Using tools like Ahrefs or Majestic, analyze backlink profiles of top-ranking websites in your niche. Look for their expired domains, which may still hold value in terms of backlinks and authority.

2. Domain Auction Hunt

Participate in domain auctions, where you can bid on expired domains. Auction platforms like GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, or Sedo offer a wide selection of expired domains for sale.

3. Looking up Web2.0 Accounts

Search for expired domains linked to Web2.0 accounts such as WordPress, Blogger, or Tumblr. 

These platforms often host user-generated content, including expired domains that may have valuable backlinks.

4. Hunt by Websites

Identify websites or online platforms that are shutting down or undergoing rebranding. 

These organizations may release their old domains, providing an opportunity for acquisition.

5. Hunt by Keywords

Utilize keyword research tools like SEMrush or Google Keyword Planner to find expired domains containing relevant keywords. 

This approach can help you identify domains with potential SEO benefits.

6. Brandable Domains Hunt

Look for expired domains with unique brandable names that can be repurposed for a new business or project. 

Tools like Lean Domain Search or NameMesh can assist in generating creative domain name ideas based on keywords or specific criteria.

7. Niche-specific Hunt

Focus your search on specific niches or industries. Look for expired domains that were once dedicated to a particular niche and may still hold value for businesses operating in that industry.

By utilizing these strategies, you can streamline your search for expired domains and increase your chances of finding valuable opportunities quickly.

FAQs About How To Find Expired Domains with Backlinks

How do I buy an expired domain for SEO?

To purchase an expired domain for SEO purposes, you can explore domain marketplaces, participate in domain auctions, or use specialized services that connect buyers with expired domains. 

Conduct thorough research on the domain’s history, backlink profile, and relevance to your niche before making a purchase.

Is it good to buy expired domains?

Buying expired domains can be beneficial if they have a strong backlink profile, relevant content, and align with your business goals. 

They can provide a head start in terms of domain authority and SEO potential. 

However, it’s crucial to conduct due diligence to ensure the domain’s quality and avoid potential penalties.

Is it legal to buy expired domains?

Yes, it is legal to purchase expired domains. 

Once a domain expires, it becomes available for anyone to register or buy. 

However, it’s important to respect trademark rights and avoid infringing on intellectual property. 

Conducting a trademark search before purchasing a domain can help prevent legal issues.

Does domain expiration affect SEO?

Domain expiration itself does not directly impact SEO. 

However, if a domain is not renewed and becomes unavailable, the website associated with it may go offline, resulting in a loss of rankings, traffic, and backlinks. 

Acquiring an expired domain with a strong backlink profile can positively impact SEO efforts.

How do I buy a domain name that is not available?

If a domain name you desire is not available, you can try contacting the current domain owner to inquire about a potential purchase. 

Some owners may be willing to sell, while others may not. 

Alternatively, you can explore alternative domain extensions or use domain name suggestion tools to find available options.

How much does an aged domain cost?

The cost of an aged domain can vary significantly based on various factors, including its age, backlink profile, domain authority, niche relevance, and market demand. 

Premium aged domains can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. 

However, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and consider the domain’s value before investing.

How do I rebuild an expired domain?

To rebuild an expired domain, start by renewing its registration if it is still available. 

Then, assess its content, backlinks, and SEO factors. 

Revamp the website, create fresh and relevant content, optimize on-page elements, and leverage the domain’s existing backlinks to restore its online presence and potentially improve its SEO performance.

How long does GoDaddy hold expired domains?

GoDaddy, like many domain registrars, typically holds expired domains for a period of about 30 days after the expiration date. 

During this period, the previous owner may have the opportunity to renew the domain. 

After the holding period, the domain may go through the auction process or become available for purchase.

Why can’t I register an expired domain?

If you are unable to register an expired domain, it could be due to various reasons. 

It may have been recently renewed by the previous owner, entered into a redemption period, or placed on hold by the domain registrar. 

Additionally, some domains may have specific registration restrictions or could be involved in legal disputes.

What domain extension is best for SEO?

From an SEO perspective, the domain extension itself does not significantly impact rankings. 

However, using well-established and widely recognized extensions like .com, .org, or country-specific extensions can provide a sense of credibility and trust to users and search engines. 

Ultimately, it’s more important to focus on the quality and relevance of the content and backlink profile.

Final Thoughts About How To Find Expired Domains with Backlinks

In conclusion, finding expired domains with valuable backlinks can be a powerful strategy to boost your online presence and SEO efforts. 

By conducting thorough domain audits, evaluating metrics such as backlinks, Pagerank, domain age, and Google index status, you can make informed decisions about the domains you acquire. 

Utilizing efficient search methods, such as reverse domain hunts, domain auctions, and keyword-based searches, can help you uncover hidden gems quickly. 

Remember to consider the relevance to your niche, the potential for organic traffic, and the overall quality of the domain. 

With careful planning and a strategic approach, you can leverage expired domains to enhance your online visibility and drive success.