Recently a client closed a website and let the domain expire. It was not their primary domain, but it included the company name very clearly.
A few months later, somebody registered the domain and pointed it to porn. In the meantime, all other sites with links to the domain were still active. That included industry sites, technical blogs, and news websites. All the links went to the adult site using a domain with the client’s name.
There’s nothing the client can do. The domain was legitimately registered after they let it expire. Though the original domain owner has nothing to do with the new site, it’s not a good look to those who follow existing links.
Here’s how I suggest you retire a domain and give it up.
Consider Keeping the Domain
You can keep the domain and redirect it to any other website. Registration sometimes runs about $25 per year. If you can, keep the domain and forward it.
Sell the Domain if You Can
There’s a market for domains, and you might be able to make some money by selling it. A domain with lots of backlinks could be valuable in some industries. Domain values vary, so don’t expect much until you do some research. Regardless, look into selling it if you’re certain you don’t want to keep it.
Take a Year to Do it Right
When you are certain you will let a domain expire, take a year or more to let the domain become worthless. Scammers like getting domains with lots of existing backlinks; when your domain doesn’t have backlinks, scammers find less value in it. Ideally, you first rid the internet of all links to the domain; realistically, you get rid of most of the links.
Here are some actions to take.
Publish 410 Gone Response Codes for a Year
When you’re ready to get rid of a domain, first publish 410 Gone response codes on all pages for a year. Include text that explains that the site is retired and all links to it should be removed.
You’re probably familiar with the code 404 Not Found, which indicates an error is temporary or unintended. The response code 410 Gone tells search engines and other automated systems that the pages are gone permanently.
Over a few months, search engines will find the 410 Gone codes and remove the site from search results. Owners of other sites with links to your site might discover the errors and remove those links.
If you don’t know how to publish specific response codes, ask your domain registrar, hosting service, or webmaster. Of course, you can contact Pacesetter Media for help, too.
Try to Remove all Known Links to the Domain
Contact sites with links, and let them know that the domain is retired and will go offline entirely within a year. Ask them to remove the links.
If you want to explain more, let them know that in the future, the domain will expire, and that sometimes scammers register old domains and publish trash. Suggest they should remove the links to avoid sending their own visitors to scam sites sometime in the future. Regardless, when the links don’t work anymore, they should remove the links.
How to Find Backlinks
Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools have reports on the backlinks to your site. If you have Google or Bing accounts for your site, this is a good place to start. As of today (August 2024), the backlink reports are at the top level of the main menus at both sites.
If you don’t have access to these tools, multiple SEO sites offer free backlink checkers. The Ahref backlink checker doesn’t require you to submit your e-mail or sign up for anything. Or search for “backlink checker”. You’ll find lots of options, some paid, some free.
Conclusion
Spammers and scammers look for expired domains with lots of backlinks. Before letting a domain expire, take a year to rid the internet of as many links to the domain as possible. That way, the domain will be less valuable to scammers when the domain becomes available to register.
Image Credit: Young Man and Woman in an Inn by Frans Hals
Image from The Metropolitan Museum of Art
