How long are expired domains "on hold"?

i believe it's 15-30 days

or some (many) months....

It's like 2 months, but it can be earlier than that, depends when it is deleted from the database of the site where it was registered.

I still have some that expired in November

Not gonna pay them either

This is the "official" line on it, though I'm sure I've seen domains stay in the db longer.. from SitePoint.com.

Adam
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A domain name is registered for a fixed period of time.


If the time period elapses and the original registrant has not paid to renew the registration, the name is put 'on-hold'. The original registrant is then given up to 60 days to pay for the name's renewal.


If this grace period expires without payment from the registrant, they lose the right to renew the name. Instead, the name is placed on a six-day countdown, and is given the status of 'soon to drop'.


At precisely 6.30 AM (EST) or up to 15 minutes thereafter on the 6th day after the name becomes 'soon to drop', the name is made available for anyone to register again i.e. it is dropped.

Here is an example from 'WHOIS' of a 'soon to drop' name, Sinners.com:

---------------------------


[whois.crsnic.net]Whois Server Version 1.3Domain names in the .com, .net, and .org domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
Domain Name: SINNERS.COM
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Name Server: NS1.WWIA.NET
Name Server: STAR.WWIA.COM
Updated Date: 30-jan-2001
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .ORG, .EDU domains and
Registrars.

[whois.networksolutions.com]

Domain not found locally, but Registry points back to local DB.
Local whois DB must be out of date.

Whois Server Version 1.3

Domain names in the .com, .net, and .org domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

Domain Name: SINNERS.COM
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Name Server: NS1.WWIA.NET
Name Server: STAR.WWIA.COM
Updated Date: 30-jan-2001

>>> Last update of whois database: Sat, 3 Feb 2001 11:10:57 EST <<<

The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .ORG, .EDU domains and
Registrars.

The previous information has been obtained either directly from the
registrant or a registrar of the domain name other than Network Solutions.
Network Solutions, therefore, does not guarantee its accuracy or
completeness.


-------------------------

The giveaway line is 'Local whois DB must be out of date'. This indicates that the name is 'soon to drop'. Note also that the previous registrant's details are not output, because these have now been erased.

The other important line is the one that reads 'Updated Date: 30-jan-2001'. This shows exactly when the name will be made available again. Just add six days to this date, and bingo, you know exactly when the name will be dropped. In this case, Sinners.com dropped on Monday 5th February 2001 at 6.30 AM.


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It's all bs, totally dependant upon who holds the registry for the domains.

Some places put them back in the pile immediately, others hold on to them for auction or whatever else they decide to do with them.

that sitepoint article is old, and it only applies to most domain names registered at Network Solutions.

Network Solutions/Verisign also hoards some names instead of letting them go. They have a large collection of these; like goosebumps.com (expired in 1998). They may be holding them to push exclusively through their GreatDomains service. Or with an upcoming deal they're trying to push, with Snapnames - the WLS (Waiting List Service).

The NSI drop-time has changed since then, from 6:30am EST to 2:30pm EST.

Other registries like OpenSRS can drop at various moments throughout the day. Usually 5 days after it expires, or later.

If you have names with DomainNameSystems for instance, they will hold onto your names and try to auction them off for $80 each, $60, $40 and down to $15 each for awhile before letting them go.

Register.com has its own large collection of Unpaid names. They are affiliated with Afternic.com, also a domain auction.

DirecNic may also start holding onto their expired names longer and try to push them through their own Auction service - DomainApex.

NameZero used to give out free domains, so their collection is fairly large too now. The expired names are being hoarded instead of letting them go. They've setup ExclusiveDomainList.com to get rid of their collection at prices as low as $35 or as high as $500 each.

Yeah, afternic.com, where you have to pay like $12.00 just to become an "exchange" member so you can view the adult domains for sale. Just to view the domains, its $12.00.

Sorry, but I thought it was funny that they'd be charging you just to show you what they have for sale..