What is the Domain Lifecycle?
The domain lifecycle describes the stages a domain name goes through from initial registration to potential deletion and re-release. Understanding this lifecycle is crucial for domain management, acquisition strategies, and building domain monitoring tools.
Lifecycle Stages
1. Available
Status: Not registered
Duration: Indefinite
Action: Anyone can register
The domain has never been registered or has completed the deletion process and returned to the pool.
2. Active (Registered)
Status: ok, clientTransferProhibited, etc.
Duration: 1-10 years (registration period)
Action: Registrant controls domain
The normal state of a registered domain:
- Resolves in DNS
- Can be renewed
- Can be transferred (if unlocked)
- Can be modified
3. Expired
Status: expired (varies by registrar)
Duration: Immediate
Action: Registrant should renew
When the registration period ends:
- Some registrars immediately suspend DNS
- Others allow grace period before suspension
- Auto-renewal may prevent this stage
4. Registrar Grace Period
Status: autoRenewPeriod or grace period
Duration: 0-45 days (varies by registrar)
Action: Renew at normal price
The registrar's internal grace period:
- Domain may still resolve
- Can renew at standard price
- Registrar-specific terms apply
5. Redemption Period
Status: redemptionPeriod
Duration: 30 days (standard)
Action: Restore with fee ($80-200+)
Registry-level hold period:
- Domain does not resolve
- Can be restored but with high fee
- Registrar must request restoration
- After restoration, registrant keeps domain
6. Pending Delete
Status: pendingDelete
Duration: 5 days
Action: Cannot be restored
Final stage before release:
- No recovery possible
- Domain queued for deletion
- Drop catchers monitor for release
7. Released (Available Again)
Status: Not registered
Duration: Instant
Action: Open registration
Domain returns to available pool:
- First-come, first-served
- Drop catching services compete for valuable names
- May enter auction if multiple parties interested
Timeline Visualization
Registration ─────────────────────────────────────────────────►
│ Active Period │ Exp │ Grace │ Redemp │ Pend │
├─────────────────────────────┼─────┼───────┼────────┼──────┤
Day: 0 365 366 410 440 445
│ │ │ │ │
Register Expires │ Redemption │
│ │
Grace Period pendingDelete
Variations by TLD
gTLDs (.com, .net, .org)
Generally follow the standard lifecycle:
- 45-day auto-renew grace period
- 30-day redemption
- 5-day pending delete
ccTLDs
May have different rules:
- .uk: 30-day renewal grace, 90-day redemption
- .de: Immediate deletion possible
- .io: 30-day grace, 30-day redemption
Always check TLD-specific policies.
Domain Drop Catching
When valuable domains expire, "drop catching" services attempt to register them immediately upon deletion:
1. Monitoring: Track domains approaching deletion
2. Preparation: Queue registration requests
3. Execution: Submit requests at exact deletion time
4. Auction: If multiple services catch, auction determines winner
Services That Catch Drops
- NameJet
- SnapNames
- DropCatch
- GoDaddy Auctions
For Developers: Monitoring Domain Status
Track domains through their lifecycle:
// Check domain status
const response = await fetch('https://domscan.net/v1/status?name=example&tlds=com');
const data = await response.json();
// Status codes indicate lifecycle stage
const status = data.results[0].registry_status;
if (status.includes('redemptionPeriod')) {
console.log('Domain in redemption - may become available soon');
}
if (status.includes('pendingDelete')) {
console.log('Domain will be deleted in ~5 days');
}
Protecting Your Domains
Prevent Accidental Expiration
1. Enable auto-renewal
2. Keep payment info updated
3. Maintain current contact email
4. Register for multi-year terms
5. Set calendar reminders
Renewal Best Practices
- Renew valuable domains for maximum term (10 years)
- Review domains annually for needed renewals
- Consider domain management platforms for portfolios
Understanding the domain lifecycle helps you manage your domains effectively and identify opportunities when domains become available.