A ten-minute daily routine for filtering expired domains
Step one: filter hard
Start by throwing things away. I keep only names under 15 characters, no hyphens, no digits, and only the extensions I would actually build on. That usually removes 90% of the file in one pass.
Step two: look for words, not names
Scan for real dictionary words and common two-word combinations. A pronounceable name has resale value; a random string almost never does, whatever its metrics say.
Step three: check the history
For the survivors, open the archive and the backlink summary. Two minutes per domain is enough to spot spam history or an obviously fake link profile.
Step four: compare with market prices
Search recent sales for similar patterns. Without a price anchor, every domain looks either cheap or expensive depending on your mood.
Step five: save, do not buy immediately
Add the finalists to a watchlist and revisit tomorrow. Names that still look good after a day are the ones worth bidding on.
Mistakes I keep repeating
Bidding at the last minute out of fear, and keeping domains I never build on. Both are emotional, not analytical.
The ten-minute routine, in order
- Two minutes to filter: open the expired domains list and drop names over 12 characters or with digits and hyphens.
- Two minutes for meaning: say each name out loud. If you need to spell it, drop it.
- Three minutes for history: check the archive. Spam or prohibited content is enough to reject.
- Two minutes to appraise: run the survivors through domain appraisal and compare the estimate with the purchase cost.
- One minute to decide: write the reason to buy in one sentence. If you cannot, do not buy.
Worked example with numbers
A daily list of 300 names. Filtering by length and symbols left 70. The pronunciation test left 18. History checks removed 5 that had hosted spam. Appraisal kept 3 names valued at more than ten times the roughly $10 registration fee. I bought one — the only one with an identifiable potential buyer. Total cost: $10 and ten minutes, instead of ten random purchases.
Comparison table: positive and negative signals
| Signal | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4–10 characters | Over 15 characters |
| Extension | .com or one that fits a clear market | Unfamiliar to your audience |
| History | A real previous website | Spam or prohibited content |
| Trademarks | No similarity | Resembles a known brand |
| Demand | A word people search for | Unclear meaning |
Takeaway
Ten disciplined minutes a day beat one panicked hour a week. The routine is boring by design — that is why it works.
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