Here are some resources for getting daily pending delete domain name drop lists including some tips and tricks. Pending delete domain names go into Pending Delete status for a total of 6 days and get removed from the registry on the 6th day. This is often referred to as "The Drop".

Some pending delete domain names can be registered right after they "drop" but if you really want the domain name and think it’s a good one, your best using the pros and use the drop catching services of SnapNames.com or NameJet.com and place a back order.

There are several sources that I will list here but bascially the list should really be the same. Each service offers the list a little bit differently.

1.) SnapNames offers their lists with added info, so I think it’s the best. They include a category if it’s fitting to the domain (Geo, Finance etc) domain length and more info which helps searching for the goodies. SnapNames includes 5 days worth of lists with an easy download. You can get the lists by visiting SnapNames.com directly and then clicking on the Domain Auctions tab. On the left of screen, click Download Auction Lists. Then click on the little blue button next to the date for All Deleting Domains Next 5 Days. Backordering via SnapNames for pending delete domains is $69 per domain with no upfront fees unless you win the domain or are the only backorder for the domain.

2.) NameJet.com offers their lists which are very basic. NameJet’s list simply include the domain names of .com, .net and .org and are listed by the day with an easy click link to download the list. NameJet also include 5 days worth of lists. NameJet offers the list under their Downloads tab and on the right of the screen. NameJet.com pending delete orders are $69 with no upfront fees unless you win the domain or are the only backorder for the domain.

Tips And Tools

~ Here is an article I wrote about filtering large domain name lists. I advise you read that if you dabble in pending delete domain name lists! Free filtering tools provided in that article.

~ NameJet.com shows Pending Delete domain name with current bids here. If you are planning on trying to hand register a domain as soon as it drops.. be sure to watch this list. This is not a 100% sure thing as it’s only one place to see if orders are placed, but it does help and will give you an idea if backorders are placed which would mean you will not have a chance to hand register the domain.

~ Want more metrics for the pending delete domain lists? I scan my lists with my DRT Software for metrics that I want to see.

~ Whois… use the specific registry to check real-time if the domain name has dropped yet. For .com and .net the registry is Verisign. Verisign Whois is real-time with the drop. If you do not see any info about the domain you enter… it means it’s available, otherwise if it did not drop yet it will show pendingdelete, reg date, expire date, registrar, DNS etc.

~ Domain Name Drop Times

• .com & .net domain names start dropping at: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm CST
• .org domain names start dropping at: 8:30 am – 9:30 am CST
• .info domain names start dropping at 3:30 am – 4:30 am CST
• .biz domain names start dropping at 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm CST
• .us domain names start droping at 12:00 am – 1:00 am CST

~ GoDrops.com offers a live chat and displays some pending delete domain name as they become available or that are registered once they drop.

~ Estibot.com offers a pre-scanned list of about 2-3K pending delete domain names for Domainer Pro members or higher. This list shows the highest estimated valued domain names in the daily drop.

Drop catching domain names has changed a lot since I have started domaining. About a year ago with domain tasting live and well, every single .com and .net domain name would get registered and the "average joe" would not hold any chance at registering a .com or .net domain on the drop. You held a better chance if the domain was being tasted but it likely would get dropped again.

ICANN closed that loop and things got a lot more interesting for those who play the drop game.

Are domains easy to get on the drops? NO! If it’s great, a registrar either that is privately owned or one that offers drop catching services is very likely to get it as they are the fastest. A person can still register "good" domain names on the drop that can turn a profit or get some traffic.

Overtime I have registered many domain names during the drop process. Find a niche and run with it. Try not to impulse buy! Do your research a day or two ahead of time and set a list that you want to try for.

Many average joe drop catchers use some sort of script to grab domain names as they drop. The big registrars spend Millions of dollars in technology and owning several registrars to compete in the drop. If you see a program/script for sale to catch domains, it’s very likely it will not be fast enough to compete or it wouldn’t be for sale.

Can you build a script that will work? Yep! You just have to know what you are doing. In order to do so, you have to have the script check the registry and either have your own domain registrar or an API access to a registrar. This is not always going to be cheap, so you have to decide how wet you want to get your feet. It’s often best just to use "the big boys" like SnapNames who own Hundreds of registrars.