Bluehost & HostGator Expired Domains to be Auctioned on NameJet, SnapNames

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – In a notable development within the domain name aftermarket industry, NameJet has announced that expired domain names from two major hosting providers – Bluehost.com and HostGator.com – will now be auctioned exclusively on its platform and that of its sister site, SnapNames.

This move expands NameJet’s reach in the expired domain space by adding even more high-volume inventory from some of the internet’s largest hosting brands. Bluehost and HostGator, both owned by Newfold Digital, collectively manage millions of domain names through their integrated registrar services. When customers fail to renew their domains, these names often enter expiration cycles, many of which are sought after by domain investors due to their age, backlinks, traffic history, or branding potential.

Previously, expired domains from these two hosting giants may have been released back into general availability or listed across various deletion and drop-catching platforms. With this new arrangement, that expired inventory will now feed directly into the exclusive pre-release auctions held by NameJet and SnapNames, both of which are also operated by Newfold Digital. This consolidation of expired domain sources into a single auction channel could have a major impact on domain investor strategy.

NameJet already serves as the exclusive auction partner for several major registrars, including Network Solutions, Domain.com, and Register.com. The addition of Bluehost and HostGator further expands the company’s footprint, giving domainers fewer venues to compete for expiring inventory and making NameJet a more essential destination for premium drops.

For active participants in the domain aftermarket, this update signals an important strategic shift. Investors targeting domains from Bluehost or HostGator portfolios should now pay closer attention to NameJet’s daily auction feed and consider refining their backorder lists. Additionally, users should be aware of the potential registrar transfer policies involved – since winning a domain may require accepting initial registration at a specific Newfold-affiliated registrar before transfer becomes possible.

This change also reflects a broader trend of consolidation within the domain name ecosystem, where large portfolio holders and registrars increasingly choose to direct expired inventory through in-house or partner-controlled platforms. As a result, the open market for dropped domains becomes more fragmented, requiring buyers to stay alert and adapt.

As of today, domains expiring from Bluehost and HostGator will no longer appear through other channels and will instead be auctioned solely through NameJet and SnapNames, making those platforms the exclusive source for this expanded inventory.

If you’re like me you’re probably thinking if SnapNames and NameJet are both used for pretty much the same thing, and they’re both owned by New Fold Digital, why don’t they just merge them into one?

Why NameJet And SnapNames Have Remained Separate

Historical Branding and User Base

• NameJet was originally formed as a joint venture between eNom and Network Solutions and became known as a premium auction platform, especially for pre-release domains from partner registrars like NetSol.
• SnapNames, on the other hand, was an early pioneer of drop catching, known for its real-time auctioning of domains that fully expired and dropped.

Merging the brands could risk alienating loyal users who associate each platform with different strengths or workflows. In short, each has built a legacy and loyal audience.

Diversified Channel Strategy

• By keeping both platforms active, Newfold maintains multiple customer acquisition funnels.
• Some registrars send inventory to one platform but not the other due to legacy agreements or technical integrations.
• NameJet is stronger on pre-release domains, while SnapNames still handles some drop catching and backorders – especially for users outside the “exclusive” registrar network.

Bidder Behavior & Arbitrage

• Many investors use both platforms simultaneously and bid on the same domains across both.
• In some cases, the same domain appears on both sites and is funneled into a single backend auction. Keeping them separate may stimulate more competitive bidding or provide additional visibility.
• This also allows Newfold to cross-promote inventory, increase total auction participants, and ultimately drive up prices.

Internal Technical/Operational Reasons

• The backend systems for NameJet and SnapNames, while integrated in some ways, were originally developed separately.

• A full merger would require rebuilding infrastructure, migrating user accounts, and possibly renegotiating registrar contracts – which could disrupt operations or cause friction with large partners.

Regulatory & Antitrust Optics

• Maintaining two platforms may help Newfold avoid scrutiny over market consolidation.
• Given the relatively small number of major expired domain auction venues, merging could attract attention as a potential monopoly in the pre-release auction space.

Overall

While it may seem logical to merge NameJet and SnapNames, keeping them separate allows Newfold to preserve brand equity, serve distinct user preferences, increase market coverage, and avoid major disruption to systems and contracts. Behind the scenes, many of the auctions are already unified — but from a user-facing standpoint, the separation still serves strategic value.