The vast majority of expired domain names these days have become what is considered "partner" domains. Domain name registrars partner up with domain auction houses and offer specific "expired domains" exclusively at the auction house.

NetworkSolutions.com uses the auction service NameJet.com . The "expired domain" is put into what NameJet calls the Pre-Release section of the site.

These "partner" domains do reach what is considered the expire date of the domain without being renewed by it’s original owner. At that time, domain registrars use what is called the Auto Renew Period for the status of the domain. This is a "hidden" status. If one were to look at the whois record for a "partner" domain after it hit’s the expire date, it would simply look like the domain name was renewed as the expire date is updated and extended for 1 year from the expire date.

In Auto Renew Status, the past owner still can "renew" the domain name even though it already appears to be renewed according to whois records and maintain ownership of the domain simply paying the renewal cost.

During the 35 days (approx) of the auto renew period is the amount of time the registrar and it’s partner auction service uses to list the domain name for sale as an upcoming auction.

If the domain name gets back ordered (bid placed) that bid will "win" the domain if it was not renewed in the mean time by the past owner. If more then one back order is placed, a 3 day auction is the standard, with the high bidder winning the domain.

If no backorders are placed, the domain name will then have Auto Renew status removed. It goes into Redemption Period, then Pending Delete status and on the 6th day becomes "available" to register by the public.

SnapNames.com and NameJet.com are the two main auctions services that use the Auto Renew and Partner system like this.

Many times during the Auto Renew period, a domain name is Renewed by the past owner. This in return SHOULD remove the domain name from the auction service even if it has has bids, as the domain is technically not for sale any longer with the renewal from the past owner.

The problem, A LOT of the domain names that ARE renewed during the auto renew period, stay listed at the auction services for an extended period of time. As I see it, these domains can be used as "Bait" to get you to come in. Once you are in, maybe you find more domains that interest you.

It’s like False Advertising really!

By simply seeing a domain name listed on a site like SnapNames.com or NameJet.com, a customer has to "assume" the domain name is really for sale and has not been "renewed" already.

Since many domain names cost a lot of money, the future buyers often have to "plan ahead" to have funds available to purchase when the auction does take place. If a domain happens to be "listed for sale" for several days after it really wasn’t for sale any more, would you consider it "fair" that it still be listed for sale? I don’t.

Now the majority of time, these renewed domain names never make it to auction, but there is no way I can track the millions of domain auctions to see if "some" do go to auction when they never should of!

Since the auction services work with "partner registrars", I have to assume the partner registrar is the one that notifies the auction service of the renewal of a domain and to remove the domain. That is fine, but these auction services also have access to the registry and if the Auto Renew Status was not hidden, things would be all that much easier!

What is a fair amount of time a domain could be listed after it has been renewed from the past owner? I would say 24 hours or Less. With the technology today, it should really only be hours (1-2).

The fact of the matter, not all domain names listed at these auction services "should" still be listed and with no public Auto Renew Status via whois, leaves domain buyers guessing!

Now Godaddy.com uses a little different "system" as they auction off there own expired domains for it’s registrar and resellers but also appears to use the Auto Renew period. Once the domain name does go to auction (approx 20 days after expire date, 10 day auction), if the past owner wants to "renew" the domain, Godaddy charges an $80 redemption fee, plus the domain name renewal cost. (total around $90). Plus you have to Call to renew. What?

The interesting thing…. the domain name is NOT in Redemption Status! How they can charge the $80 fee, I am not sure.

The "normal" status are as follows:

• Active: 1-10 years
• Expired (Auto-Renew): 0-45 days
• Redemption Period: 30 Days
• Pending Delete: 5 days
• Available 
• Average time is 76 days from a domain names expire date to become available to the public for registration

According to the "expired" domain names at auction on Godaddy, they are nearly exactly 30 days after the expired date and the auctions are ending. To me, this means the domain name is still in the Expired Status which is basically the Auto Renew.

Godaddy domains also do not show a clear status if the domain name has been renewed by it’s past owner while the domain is at auction.

One way somebody can "guess" is normally based upon the DNS used. That is a whole different future post, but you would have to understand the vast majority of DNS used for each registrar. Godaddy uses NSXX.DomainControl.com for "expired domains" but they also use the domaincontrol.com for it’s standard parking, as well as hosting. If you see an expired domain at auction on Godaddy and the DNS are something other then the domaincontrol.com, it’s likely the domain has been renewed.

The bottom line… these mentioned auction services need to clean up there systems to remove renewed domains. Secondly, if a domain name is in Auto Renew Status, it should be Public Record!