SnapNames
SnapNames operates a self-serve domain name aftermarket marketplace where businesses, entrepreneurs, and professional investors bid on, backorder, or directly purchase expired and expiring domains. A subsidiary of Newfold Digital, it monetizes via auction commissions and backorder fees across 277 TLDs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersJacksonville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What SnapNames does
SnapNames Group, Inc. operates a domain name aftermarket marketplace headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and has functioned as a subsidiary of Newfold Digital (formerly Web.com Group) since the early 2000s. The platform enables buyers to acquire already-registered, expired, or expiring domain names through four primary mechanisms: competitive auctions, fixed-price Buy It Now listings, backorders on names not yet released, and Bid or Buy dual-option listings. SnapNames' differentiation rests on its patented "Snapper" technology, which identifies and captures high-quality deleting domain names on a daily basis across 277 supported TLDs, supplemented by exclusive inventory pipelines from major registrar partners including Network Solutions, Bluehost, Automattic, 1&1 Internet SE (IONOS), and Register.com. The company holds a multi-jurisdictional patent portfolio spanning the United States (7 patents), Canada, and China covering domain auction and backorder mechanics.
The platform monetizes via transaction-based fees: commissions on auction wins, backorder fees charged only upon successful acquisition, and fixed-price purchases on Buy It Now listings. Pricing ranges from $69 for standard Hotpicks domains to $16,500+ for premium names such as shay.com, with EstiBot valuations and proprietary Domain Score analytics supporting buyer decisioning. Power-user features include Bulk Tools (up to 500 domains per submission), CSV/text auction list downloads, saved-search email alerts, proxy bidding, SMS notifications (US-only), and a Verified Bidder program that removes bidding limits for identity-verified high-volume investors. The business operates a self-serve, product-led growth model supplemented by a sales-assisted verification flow for premium buyers. SnapNames' customer base spans professional domain investors and portfolio managers (primary), business branders seeking memorable or protective URLs (primary), and industry-specific buyers across verticals such as finance, health, technology, and entertainment.
SnapNames firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SnapNames
- Legal name
- SnapNames Group, Inc.
- Website
- https://snapnames.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SnapNames operates a self-serve domain name aftermarket marketplace where businesses, entrepreneurs, and professional investors bid on, backorder, or directly purchase expired and expiring domains. A subsidiary of Newfold Digital, it monetizes via auction commissions and backorder fees across 277 TLDs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SnapNames industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Domain Name Aftermarket Marketplace
- NAICS
- Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (51929)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Omnichannel Commerce & Click-and-Collect Platforms (BPAMAGAL)
Keywords
Where SnapNames is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jacksonville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
SnapNames business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Domain Auction Commissions: Revenue from auctioning expiring and deleting domain names. Customers place bids or buy now at fixed prices. SnapNames takes a commission on successful transactions.
- Backorder Fees: Backorder placement allows customers to reserve interest in domains before they become available. Customers only charged if SnapNames successfully acquires the domain.
- Buy It Now Purchases: Fixed-price domain name purchases for immediate acquisition without auction participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Hotpicks Domains |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium/Valuable Domains |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bid or Buy Listings |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Buy It Now |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
SnapNames product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SnapNames operates an online marketplace where buyers acquire already-registered, expired, and expiring domain names through competitive auctions, backorders, and Buy It Now fixed-price purchases. The platform aggregates exclusive inventory from partner registrars (Network Solutions, Bluehost, Automattic, Register.com, 1&1 Internet SE) and applies patented Snapper technology to capture dropping and deleting domain names daily. Revenue is generated through commissions on successful auction transactions, backorder fees charged only upon successful acquisition, and direct fixed-price sales.
Product overview
SnapNames operates as a unified domain name aftermarket marketplace offering a comprehensive platform for acquiring expired and expiring domain names. The core offering centers on domain name auctions with multiple acquisition methods (backorders, competitive bidding, Buy It Now, and Bid or Buy options), supported by inventory categories including exclusive expired domains and pending-delete domains across major TLDs (.com, .net, .org, .info, .uk, .us, .biz, .tv). Power-user features include Bulk Tools for batch operations (up to 500 domains), downloadable auction lists in CSV format, and saved search email alerts. The Verified Bidder Program provides full auction access with unlimited bidding. Additional services include domain valuation (via EstiBot integration), proprietary Domain Score analytics, proxy bidding automation, SMS notifications, and registrar account linking for automatic fulfillment. The platform distinguishes itself through patented Snapper technology for capturing dropping domains.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Domain Name Auctions
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 30 million domain names offered annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SnapNames
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SnapNames technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
SnapNames partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Network SolutionscoreNetwork Solutions is a priority partner registrar providing exclusive expiring domain inventory to SnapNames auctions. Domains from Network Solutions are available as part of SnapNames' exclusive aftermarket inventory.
- BluehostmajorBluehost.com provides expiring domain names from its registrar services to SnapNames auctions. Part of the top registrar domains download list.
- Automattic Inc.majorAutomattic Inc. (parent company of WordPress.com, WooCommerce, and other web services) provides expiring domain inventory to SnapNames for exclusive auction.
- 1&1 Internet SEmajor1&1 Internet SE (IONOS) provides expiring domain names from its registrar portfolio to SnapNames auctions as part of the top registrar domains program.
- Register.commajorRegister.com is a partner registrar whose expiring domains are offered exclusively through SnapNames auctions, such as ngl.net.
- Newfold DigitalcoreNewfold Digital (parent company) provides infrastructure including abuse reporting, cookie policy, privacy center, terms of use, and careers pages. SnapNames copyright shows ownership by SnapNames Group, Inc.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
SnapNames competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sedo: Sedo operates the world's largest domain name marketplace with global inventory and a similar mix of auction, buy-now, and make-an-offer formats. It directly competes with SnapNames for premium and expired domain buyers across all major TLDs.
- GoDaddy Auctions: GoDaddy Auctions is the largest US registrar's aftermarket, offering expired, pending-delete, and user-listed domains through auction and Buy It Now formats. It competes head-to-head with SnapNames for the same buyer segments including domain investors and brand-protection buyers.
- NameJet: NameJet is a direct backorder and expired-domain marketplace historically tied to Web.com/eNom registrar inventory, overlapping SnapNames' core backorder mechanics and buyer base. It is the closest functional mirror to SnapNames in drop-catching workflows.
- Afternic: Afternic is GoDaddy's premium domain aftermarket focused on high-value listed domains with lander pages and brokerage support. It competes with SnapNames for premium listings and brand-protection buyers seeking acquisition assistance.
- Dan.com: Dan.com (formerly Undeveloped) is a modern domain marketplace emphasizing Buy It Now transactions and buyer financing/installment plans. It targets the same SMB brand-protection and indie buyer segments as SnapNames with a more streamlined UX.
- DropCatch: DropCatch specializes in capturing high-value pending-delete .com domains through pooled backorders, overlapping SnapNames' drop-catching and Snapper technology capabilities. It is a primary competitor for premium short and brandable .com inventory.
Broad incumbents
- Dynadot: Dynadot is an ICANN-accredited registrar that also offers a domain marketplace and aftermarket listings. As a broader web services platform it overlaps SnapNames' marketplace functionality but with a wider portfolio of registration and hosting services.
- Porkbun: Porkbun is a low-cost registrar that has expanded into domain aftermarket and marketplace features. It competes for SMB buyers seeking budget-friendly domain acquisition, partially overlapping SnapNames' lower-priced Hot Picks tier.
Emerging players
- Squadhelp: Squadhelp is a naming marketplace that includes premium domains alongside brand contests and naming services. It overlaps with SnapNames in the premium brandable domain segment and competes for startup founders and brand-protection buyers.
- Undeveloped: Undeveloped is a curated domain marketplace focused on brandable and short premium domains with a modern minimalist UX. It competes with SnapNames' premium and Hot Picks inventory for startup and SMB brand-building buyers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SnapNames social profiles
Digital presenceSnapNames financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SnapNames leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SnapNames funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SnapNames M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SnapNames
What does SnapNames do?
SnapNames operates an online marketplace where buyers acquire already-registered, expired, and expiring domain names through competitive auctions, backorders, and Buy It Now fixed-price purchases. The platform aggregates exclusive inventory from partner registrars (Network Solutions, Bluehost, Automattic, Register.com, 1&1 Internet SE) and applies patented Snapper technology to capture dropping and deleting domain names daily. Revenue is generated through commissions on successful auction transactions, backorder fees charged only upon successful acquisition, and direct fixed-price sales.
Is SnapNames a public or private company?
SnapNames is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was SnapNames founded?
SnapNames was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SnapNames based?
SnapNames is headquartered in Jacksonville, United States, in the North America region.
How does SnapNames make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Domain Auction Commissions are the primary driver. The others are backorder Fees and buy It Now Purchases.
Who are SnapNames's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sedo, GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, Afternic, Dan.com and DropCatch. Broad incumbents are Dynadot and Porkbun. Emerging players are Squadhelp and Undeveloped.
Does SnapNames have an API?
No public API is recorded for SnapNames.
What industry is SnapNames in?
SnapNames's product category is Domain Name Aftermarket Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAGAL, Omnichannel Commerce & Click-and-Collect Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51929.