GoDaddy’s backorder platform has been around for a couple of decades. Originally, backorders were developed to help customers purchase expiring domain names. However, as the industry has evolved, domain name backorders have become more irrelevant as buyers utilize modern methods to secure expired domains.
As we look to the future of our aftermarket products, we don't see domain backorders playing an important role in helping customers purchase expired domains. With that in mind, we’re announcing changes to our backorder product, starting today, August 8. Here’s what you need to know.
Saying goodbye to new backorders
In the early 2000s, when GoDaddy first introduced backorders, the internet was a vastly different place. Expiry auctions were in their infancy, and backorders were the go-to method for capturing recently expired domains.
For some time, domain backorders worked well, connecting our customers with expired domains that were previously difficult to obtain.
Fast-forward to today, and the game has changed. Our technological advancements at GoDaddy Auctions, coupled with a growing network of expiry partners, have shifted the landscape. More and more users are now turning to our Auctions platform to secure expiring domains.
Over time, we’ve seen a drop in successful backorders, too. Due to changes in how expired domain names are handled, the vast majority of backorders aren't capturing names. They are being converted into GoDaddy Auction domain purchases. This wasn’t the original intention for backorders.
With Closeouts for immediate purchases and auctions to bid on that perfect domain name, it’s clear from our data that the Auctions platform is the modern solution to securing expiring domain names.
This means that going forward, we’re shifting more of our focus to further refining our auction platform technology, bringing more opportunities to purchase domains through GoDaddy Auctions.
As a result, we’re saying goodbye to backorders.
Starting today, August 8, we will no longer accept new backorder purchases. Instead, buyers should monitor GoDaddy Auctions or use GoDaddy’s Domain Broker Services for specific domain targets.
Using your existing backorders
If you’ve already purchased a domain name backorder, don’t worry. We want to ensure you have the opportunity to use it. We will continue to support existing backorders until August 8, 2025, after which they will expire.
Until then, you can continue to apply backorders toward domain names as normal.
To check if you have backorders available to use, head to the Products area of your GoDaddy account.
From there, scroll down to your “Domain Products” tab, where existing backorders will be displayed. Backorder credits can be reassigned to different domain names, too. Check GoDaddy’s help center for instructions.
Explore GoDaddy Auctions
With tens of thousands of domain names being added to GoDaddy Auctions every day, it has become the place to secure an expiring domain name.
Join the auction action by heading to auctions.godaddy.com and begin searching for expiring domain names through a combination of our search bar and advanced tools. We’re committed to providing the best tools and platforms for securing the domain names you need. Your feedback on our domain name aftermarket products is essential.
