Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about DropTimes.co.uk
What is DropTimes.co.uk?
DropTimes.co.uk is a comprehensive UK domain dropping service that helps you discover and track domains that are about to become available for registration. We monitor the entire .uk domain space, including .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, and .ltd.uk domains.
Our service provides real-time information about when domains will drop (become available for registration), allowing you to be first in line to register valuable domain names.
How does DropTimes work?
We maintain a comprehensive database of UK domains that are scheduled to drop. Here's how it works:
- Daily Updates: Our database is updated daily with the latest dropping domains
- Precise Timing: We provide exact drop times in both UTC and BST (British Summer Time)
- Search & Filter: Search for specific domains or browse by date, TLD, or domain characteristics
- Save & Track: Registered users can save domains to their personal watchlist
- Notifications: Get notified when your saved domains are about to drop
Can I register domain names with DropTimes.co.uk?
No, DropTimes.co.uk does not provide domain registration services
We are a domain discovery and tracking platform. We provide you with the information you need to register domains through your preferred domain registrar. When a domain drops, you'll need to register it through a domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, 123-Reg, or any other UK domain registrar of your choice.
Do you recommend a dropcatching service?
At this time, we do not recommend one dropcatching service over another. However, we are open to partnerships and negotiations if a dropcatching service provider wants to work with us.
Partnership Opportunities
We're interested in working with dropcatching services that can provide API access, allowing us to post dropcatch orders directly to your service. This could include referral partnerships where we receive compensation for successful referrals. If you're a dropcatching service provider interested in collaboration, please contact us to discuss potential partnership opportunities.
How does tracked domains work?
Tracked domains are domain names that have garnered interest and been saved into users' accounts. When a domain is tracked, we maintain a comprehensive history of that domain name, including:
- Periodic RDAP Updates: Regular snapshots of registration data access protocol information
- WHOIS History: Historical registration and ownership data
- Drop Time Tracking: Precise timing of when the domain becomes available
- User Interest Metrics: Number of users tracking the same domain
- Status Changes: Monitoring of domain status throughout the dropping process
This tracking system helps users make informed decisions about which domains to pursue and provides valuable historical context for domain research.
What features do I get?
For Everyone (Free):
- Browse all domains dropping on any date
- Search for specific domains
- View short domains (3 characters or less) - up to 25 per day
- View old domains (ROID < 10 million) - up to 25 per day
- Filter by TLD (.co.uk, .org.uk, etc.)
For Registered Users (Free):
- Unlimited access to all domains
- Save domains to personal watchlist
- Email notifications for saved domains
- Complete RDAP history for saved domains
- Calendar integration (ICS downloads)
How much does DropTimes cost?
DropTimes is completely FREE!
We believe that domain discovery should be accessible to everyone. That's why we offer all our services completely free of charge.
- No registration fees
- No monthly subscriptions
- No hidden costs
- No premium features behind paywalls
How does domain dropping work?
When a UK domain expires, it goes through a specific process before becoming available for registration:
- Expiration: Domain expires and stops working
- Grace Period: Domain owner has 30 days to renew
- Redemption Period: Domain owner has 60 days to pay a redemption fee
- Pending Delete: Domain enters 5-day deletion period
- Drop: Domain becomes available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis
DropTimes tracks domains through this entire process and tells you exactly when they will become available.
Tips for successful domain registration
- Be Prepared: Have your preferred registrar ready and logged in
- Multiple Registrars: Consider using multiple registrars for high-value domains
- Set Reminders: Use our calendar integration to set reminders
- Research Domains: Check RDAP history to understand the domain's past
- Monitor Competition: Use our tracking badges to see how many others are watching
- Act Quickly: Domains can be registered within seconds of dropping
- Have Alternatives: Popular domains may be taken quickly
Auction Site Linking
DropTimes.co.uk provides links to auction sites when we detect that a domain has been put up for auction by its current registrar. This helps users access auction pages where they can bid on valuable domain names.
How it works:
- We check DNS nameservers to detect auction domains using nameservers from major auction sites
- We perform HTTP redirect checks to see if domains redirect to auction sites like domainlore.uk and ukbackorder.uk
- We analyze page content for auction-related keywords and phrases
- When an auction is detected, we display an auction banner with a direct link
- Users can click the link to visit the auction page and place bids
- This service is provided free of charge to help users access domain auctions
Important Information:
- No Commissions: We do not receive any commissions or payments for linking to auction sites
- Independent Service: We are not affiliated with any auction sites
- User Choice: Users are free to use any auction site or registrar of their choice
- Contact Us: If auction site owners need links removed or want to be added, please contact us
Our goal is to provide a comprehensive service that helps users discover and access domain auctions, regardless of which auction platform is being used.
How We Detect Domain Auctions
DropTimes uses advanced detection methods to identify when domains are put up for auction. Our multi-layered approach ensures accurate detection across all major auction platforms.
DNS Nameserver Check
We check the domain's DNS nameservers against a database of known auction site nameservers. This is the most reliable method as auction domains typically use nameservers from the auction platform.
HTTP Redirect Analysis
We analyze HTTP redirects to detect when domains automatically redirect to auction sites. This catches domains that redirect users to auction platforms.
Content Keyword Scan
We scan domain page content for auction-related keywords like "auction", "bid", "for sale", and "domain marketplace" to identify auction listings.
Supported Auction Platforms:
Our detection system runs every 4 hours for general checks and every 5 minutes for recently dropped domains to ensure timely updates. When a domain is detected at auction, we display an auction banner with a direct link to the auction page, making it easy for users to participate in domain auctions.
Technical Questions
What TLDs do you support?
We support all UK TLDs: .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, and .ltd.uk
How accurate are your drop times?
Our drop times are based on official Nominet data and are accurate to the minute. We provide times in both UTC and BST for your convenience.
How often is your data updated?
Our database is updated daily with the latest dropping domain information from Nominet.
What is RDAP data?
RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) provides detailed information about domain registration history, including previous owners, registration dates, and more.
Need More Help?
If you have questions that aren't answered here, or if you need technical support: