What Expired domain abuse means
Google added this spam policy in March 2024. Buying an expired domain for a genuine new business or rebrand is fine. Repurposing a respected old domain to host thin content that has nothing to do with its history is not.
Why it matters for your website
Some people try to shortcut rankings by buying old domains with good backlinks and filling them with unrelated content. Google treats this as spam, so it can lead to lost rankings or manual action. If you are buying a domain, you need to know where the line is.
Example
Someone buys the domain of a closed children's museum and fills it with casino reviews to use its old links. That is the kind of abuse Google's policy targets.
Tips
- Check a domain's history in archives before buying it.
- Only buy expired domains you will use for a related, genuine business or project.
- Build quality content that would stand on its own without the old domain's links.
Common mistakes
- Buying a respected old domain just to host thin affiliate pages on unrelated topics.
- Assuming old backlinks will keep their value no matter what you publish.
Questions about Expired domain abuse
What is Expired domain abuse?
Buying an expired domain and using its old reputation to rank unrelated, low-value content.
Is it against Google's rules to buy an expired domain?
No. Buying one for a genuine new business or rebrand is fine. The problem is using its reputation to rank low-value, unrelated content.
Can I redirect an expired domain to my site?
Redirecting a closely related domain you acquired can be reasonable. Buying unrelated domains just to pass their link value along is risky.
