Understanding Partnered Domain Names
What is a partnered domain name? A partnered domain name is pretty much what it says. A domain name registrar will "partner" with a domain auction service like SnapNames.com or NameJet.com etc. Any domain name that reaches Expired status will go to it's partnered auction service if not renewed by it's old owner. Any domain name like this will be exclusive to the specific auction service.
Example: Domain X is registered with Register.com (registrar) and the domain name reaches expired status. With in a couple days after hitting expired status, the domain name will be listed on SnapNames.com with the status of "Available Soon" section. Again, partner domain names are exclusive to one auction service so that is important.
If you are unsure what registrar the domain name is registered with, just visit www.Whois.sc and type in the domain name. In the information provided, you will see Registrar:
If the domain name happens to be with a domain name registrar that "partners" with a domain name auction service, you will still need to place a backorder for the domain name to either get it when the backorder date is reached for the backorder price, or again if more then one backorder is in place, a 3 day auction will take place with the highest bidder winning the domain name. Each auction service is a little different, so be sure to check them out.
Here is a list of "partnered" registrars and where there expired domain names go for auction that I am aware of.
- Godaddy.com/WildWestDomains.com stay in-house at Godaddy's auction service called Auctions.Godaddy.com . Domain Names go to auction with 13 days left in the RGP (Redemption period). They run a 10 day auction on Expiring Domain Names. After you win the auction, you will get the domain name 7 days later, which means the RGP is over. IMO, this is how ALL domain auction services should be run! In plain english, it goes like this:
- NetworkSolutions.com/eNom.com and any eNom or NSI resellers (NameScout.com etc) and now Tucows.com go to NameJet.com
- Register.com, DirectNic.com, Moniker.com, MyDomain.com, Dotster.com, DotRegister.com, DomainPeople.com, Answerable.com, Name.com and Moniker.com go to SnapNames.com <--- See hand picked lists here
- MelbourneIT.com expired domain names go mainly to Afternic.com but some go to SnapNames.com
Domain names that go to auction with a "partnered" auction service will also "Hold" it’s creation date. Domain names that go PendingDelete, get deleted and are captured, will have a creation date of when the domain is reregistered.