Overview
Welcome to the Atom.com Domain Auction Platform. By participating in an auction, you agree to follow the terms outlined below, along with Atom.com’s general Platform Terms & Conditions.
These terms apply to all users, including both buyers (bidders) and sellers, and govern participation in auctions on the platform.
Definitions
Auction: A timed event where a domain is offered for sale to the highest bidder or through a price-drop system
Forward Only Auction: A traditional auction where bids increase from a starting price
Forward + Reverse Auction: Starts as a forward auction and converts to a price-drop auction if no bids are placed
Reserve Price: The minimum price at which a seller is willing to sell
Bid: A monetary offer placed in an auction
Bidder: A user who places a bid
Seller: The domain owner listing the domain for auction
Proxy Bid: An automated bid that increases incrementally on your behalf up to your maximum limit
Eligibility and Approval
To participate in auctions, users must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a verified Atom account in good standing
Be approved by Atom (approval is at Atom’s discretion)
Additional requirements may include:
Providing an advance deposit before bidding
Completing identity verification through a third-party service
Auction Types and Process
Auction Types
Forward Only Auction
Bidding increases from a starting price
The domain remains unsold if the reserve price is not met
Forward + Reverse Auction
Begins as a forward auction (starting bids typically range from $10–$50)
If no bids are placed, the auction converts to a reverse auction
Forward + Reverse Auction Process
Conversion: If no bids are placed, the auction switches to reverse mode
Starting Price: Reverse auctions begin at $50
Daily Price Drop: Price decreases by $10 per day
Minimum Price: Drops until reaching $10
If not purchased by then, the domain remains unsold
Bidding Rules
Placing a Bid
Bids must meet the minimum increment to be valid
In reverse auctions, domains can be purchased at the current listed price
Bids placed in the final 10 minutes extend the auction by 60 minutes
All bids are binding and cannot be withdrawn
Atom may remove or disqualify bids that violate platform policies
Important Note: Before placing a bid, bidders will be informed of applicable renewal fees for the domain if they win. The renewal fee includes a full one-year renewal at the time of purchase, helping to avoid near-term renewals. By placing a bid, you agree to pay these renewal fees if you win the auction. Winning bidders are required to complete payment; refusal to pay violates Atom.com’s terms and may result in penalties or suspension. Payment must be completed within 72 hours of auction close.
Proxy Bidding
Proxy bidding automatically increases your bid up to your set maximum
It follows minimum bid increments and reserve price rules
If your max bid meets or exceeds the reserve price:
The bid will automatically increase to the reserve price
If your max bid is below the reserve price:
The bid will increase to your maximum amount
Prohibited Activity (Shill Bidding)
Creating multiple accounts or colluding to inflate prices is strictly prohibited
Violations may result in:
Permanent account suspension
Legal action
Atom monitors bidding activity and may take action without prior notice if violations are suspected.
Seller Bidding on Their Own Domains
For Atom-registered domains, sellers may bid on their own domains
If the seller wins:
Ownership is transferred to them
They may still receive commission based on eligibility
Domain Transfer Process
Atom-Processed Domains
Domains with supported TLDs are processed through Atom
Transfer is handled automatically and added to the buyer’s Atom account
View supported TLDs: https://www.atom.com/tlds-pricing
Seller Responsibilities
Provide a valid auth code promptly after payment is confirmed
Ensure the domain is ready for transfer
Buyer Ownership
Once transferred, buyers can:
Keep the domain in Atom, or
Transfer it to another registrar
Buyers will be notified when the transfer is complete.
Unsupported TLDs
For unsupported TLDs:
Domains are not transferred into Atom
No renewal fees apply
Transfer options include:
Push method: Seller transfers directly to buyer’s registrar account
Auth code method: Buyer initiates transfer using provided auth code
After completion, the buyer must click “Transfer Complete” to finalize the transaction
Transfer Timeline
Transfers begin once the auth code is provided or transfer is initiated
Typical timeframe: 5–7 days
Progress can be tracked in the Transfer Manager
Failure to complete a transfer may result in penalties or suspension.
Fees, Commissions, and Refunds
Auction Fees
There are no listing fees for auctions
Commissions
Atom charges a 10% commission on the final sale price (minimum $3)
For Atom-registered domains:
Sellers receive commission based on their existing commission rate.
For example, if a seller is eligible for a 25% commission and the auction closes at $100, the seller will receive $25, and the domain ownership will be transferred to the auction winner.
Refunds
All sales are final
Refunds are only issued in the event the seller is unable to transfer the domain to the auction winner (which is against our Auction Terms).
Auction Termination
Termination Rights
Atom may cancel or terminate an auction at its discretion, including in cases of:
Suspected fraud
Policy violations
Technical issues
The domain being sold through the retail marketplace
Atom.com reserves the right to cancel or terminate any auction at its discretion, especially in cases of suspected fraud, technical malfunctions, or violations of these terms or Atom.com’s Platform Terms & Conditions.
Additionally, Atom.com may cancel an auction if the domain being auctioned is sold to a retail buyer through the retail marketplace