Glossary / Strategy

Domain Score

A composite quality rating (0-100) combining multiple SEO metrics to quickly assess an expired domain's value.

Domain Score is CatchDoms' proprietary quality rating for expired domains, on a scale from 0 to 100. It combines multiple SEO metrics into a single number so you can quickly assess whether a domain is worth investigating. Think of it as a shortcut. Instead of comparing DA, backlinks, age, Trust Flow separately, the score does the math for you.

How the score is calculated

The scoring formula weighs different factors depending on the domain type. For closeout domains (fixed-price sales from Dynadot and GoDaddy), the breakdown looks like this: valuation (15 points), authority from PageRank and DA (15 points), referring domains (15 points), backlinks (10 points), age (15 points), name quality (15 points), TLD (10 points), and traffic (5 points).

Auction domains (from Catched, DropCatch, GoDaddy) use a different formula. Auction interest (current bid and number of bidders) gets 30 points because competitive bidding is a strong quality signal. Authority gets 15 points, referring domains 15, backlinks 10, age 15, name quality 10, and TLD 5.

The score also applies penalties. Domains with spammy keywords in the name (casino, viagra) get hit with 20-50 point deductions. Content spam detected from Wayback screenshots adds another penalty. And suspicious language associations (Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese) add 15 points of penalty, which often points to spam history.

Using scores to filter domains

A score of 30+ is a reasonable starting point for domains worth a second look. Score 50+ gets you into solid territory with genuine SEO value. At 70+ you're looking at the best of the bunch, with strong backlinks and real age behind them. Most users set a minimum score filter and then examine the remaining domains in detail.

But don't treat the score as the final word. A domain scoring 45 with perfect topical relevance to your niche might be a better buy than a generic domain scoring 65. The score tells you where to start looking. Your own analysis tells you where to bid.

Domain Score on CatchDoms

Every domain on CatchDoms has a score displayed in the Score column. You can filter by minimum score (30+, 50+, 70+) to narrow your search. The score recalculates every few hours as new metrics come in from DataForSEO and SEObserver. It's the fastest way to separate high-value expired domains from the noise.

Frequently asked questions

How is the CatchDoms domain score different from Domain Authority?

Domain Authority only measures backlink strength. The CatchDoms score combines DA with age, referring domains, name quality, TLD value, traffic, and spam detection into one number. It's a broader quality assessment designed specifically for expired domain buyers.

What domain score should I filter for?

Score 30+ is a reasonable starting point for domains worth a second look. Score 50+ gets you into solid territory with real SEO value. And 70+ is where you'll find the best domains with strong backlinks, clean history, and genuine age.

Can a low-score domain still be a good buy?

Yes. The score doesn't account for topical relevance to your specific niche. A domain scoring 45 with perfect category match and clean links might outperform a generic domain scoring 65. Use the score to narrow your search, then do your own analysis.

Find expired domains on CatchDoms

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