GoDaddy phases out domain backorders

[GoDaddy]

GoDaddy's backorder platform has been around for a couple of decades. Originally, backorders were developed to help customers purchase expiring domains. However, as the industry has evolved, domain name backorders have become more irrelevant at GoDaddy 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 the vast majority of backorders currently being converted into GoDaddy Auction purchases. This wasn't the original intention for backorders.

With that in mind, we're announcing that from today, August 8, we'll no longer accept new backorder purchases. Instead, buyers should monitor GoDaddy Auctions for specific domain targets.

If you've already purchased a domain name backorder, we want to ensure you have the opportunity to use it. We'll continue to support existing backorders until August 8, 2025, after which they will expire. Until then, you can continue to apply backorders towards domain names as normal.

For more information, please head to our blog, or reach out to our support team.

 

[Bravo Mod Team]

we'll no longer accept new backorder purchases

Is domain monitoring being discontinued, too?

Update on Jun 25, 2025: Monitoring is being discontinued, too.

 

[GoDaddy]

Is domain monitoring being discontinued, too?

Hi @Bravo Mod Team
The announced change is only impacting domain backorders.

 

[Bravo Mod Team]

We'll continue to support existing backorders until August 8, 2025, after which they will expire.

Do you know yet whether expired backorders will be refunded or issued as an In-Store Credit?

 

[MrMDMF]

Is this going to effect GoDaddy Close Outs?

 

[GoDaddy]

Is this going to effect GoDaddy Close Outs?

Hi @MrMDMF! This hasn't and won't affect Closeouts.

 

[Grilled]

Hi @MrMDMF! This hasn't and won't affect Closeouts.

Then what determines if the minimum bid of a GD auction (not closeout) is $10 or $25?

I thought (maybe incorrectly) that if a GD auction has a GD backorder, then the initial minimum bid is something under the normal $25?

Currently according to expireddomains.net, there are 316k .com domains in GD auction with either the current bid or opening bid at $25. <compared> to 66k .com domains with the current or opening bid between $10-$24.

The varying minimum bid amounts contradicts what's written on GoDaddy.com, so some clarity would be appreciated.

https://www.godaddy.com/resources/news/godaddy-auctions-the-latest-product-updates

Beginning Oct. 30, 2023, we will be increasing the starting price for expired domain name auctions. All new expiry auctions listed on or after this date will show the new $25 starting bid.

 

[King]

GoDaddy backorder was pretty outdated, I had one, and it never caught anything, was just moving the order between names and I still have it. Pretty surprised how bad it was considering the size of GD... We should not have had to pay upfront for a backorder.

Then what determines if the minimum bid of a GD auction (not closeout) is $10 or $25?

I thought (maybe incorrectly) that if a GD auction has a GD backorder, then the initial minimum bid is something under the normal $25?

Currently according to expireddomains.net, there are 316k .com domains in GD auction with either the current bid or opening bid at $25. <compared> to 66k .com domains with the current or opening bid between $11-$24.

The varying minimum bid amounts contradicts what's written on GoDaddy.com, so some clarity would be appreciated.

https://www.godaddy.com/resources/news/godaddy-auctions-the-latest-product-updates

I am pretty sure the $25 ones are not from partner registrars. I believe, they should all start at $10.

 

[Psychedelic.us]

GoDaddy's backorder platform has been around for a couple of decades. Originally, backorders were developed to help customers purchase expiring domains. However, as the industry has evolved, domain name backorders have become more irrelevant at GoDaddy 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 the vast majority of backorders currently being converted into GoDaddy Auction purchases. This wasn't the original intention for backorders.

With that in mind, we're announcing that from today, August 8, we'll no longer accept new backorder purchases. Instead, buyers should monitor GoDaddy Auctions for specific domain targets.

If you've already purchased a domain name backorder, we want to ensure you have the opportunity to use it. We'll continue to support existing backorders until August 8, 2025, after which they will expire. Until then, you can continue to apply backorders towards domain names as normal.

For more information, please head to our blog, or reach out to our support team.

@GoDaddy
If domain backorder credits have been paid for and they were not successful in securing backorders, will customers be refunded or credited?

 

[GoDaddy]

@GoDaddy
If domain backorder credits have been paid for and they were not successful in securing backorders, will customers be refunded or credited?

Hi @Psychedelic.us
Any backorders that aren't actioned are kept as backorder credits in your account. If you weren't successful with your backorder, you can apply the backorder credit to another domain name until active backorders expire in August 2025.

Edit by moderator: Deadline extended until October 7, 2025.