What is a Parked Domain? Everything You Need to Know

Key highlights

• A parked domain is a registered domain that isn’t linked to an active website.
• Common uses of parked domains include brand protection, domain monetization and resale opportunities.
• Parked domains don’t rank in search results since they lack content and backlinks.
• Bluehost offers domain privacy protection and enables domain locking to keep your parked domain safe.
• You can generate revenue from parked domains by displaying Ads or selling high-value domain names.

Introduction

Ever walked past an empty storefront with a “Coming Soon” sign? That’s what a parked domain is in the digital world—a reserved space online that isn’t live yet but can still bring in value.

Surprisingly, many people buy domain names without building a website and still make money from them. Whether it’s for future use, brand security or flipping for profit, parked domains can serve many strategic purposes.

But how does it all work? And more importantly, is there a way for you to benefit from parked domains? In this blog, we’ll break down what is a parked domain, why it is important and how to park it.

What is a parked domain?

A parked domain refers to a domain name that has been registered but isn’t currently hosting a live website. Instead of real content, it typically displays a placeholder page—sometimes with ads or a message like ‘Coming Soon’. Some domains even show a message indicating that the domain is reserved for future use.

Many website owners, businesses and domain investors use domain parking for multiple purposes. It includes brand protection, reserving names for future projects or domain name monetization.

How to tell if a domain is parked?

Wondering how to tell if a domain is parked? Here are some ways to identify a parked domain:

1. The website shows a parking page with Ads

If you visit a domain and see a page filled with random Ads or links to unrelated websites, it’s likely parked. However, Google Ads policies prohibit Ads from directing users to such parked domains. It’s because they display advertising listings without offering unique or valuable content.

Additionally, starting in October 2024, new Google Ads accounts will automatically be opted out of serving ads on parked domains.

2. No actual content or a generic placeholder

Some parked domains have simple messages such as ‘Under Construction’ or ‘Coming Soon’. These placeholders indicate that while the domain is registered, no website has been built yet.

3. Domain is listed for sale

Many parked domains are registered for investment purposes. If you see a message like ‘This domain is available for purchase!’ or ‘Buy this domain now’, then the domain is parked and available for purchase.

4. WHOIS Lookup shows no active website information

WHOIS lets you see domain registration details. If there’s no website owner, no active business email and the hosting status is inactive, the domain is likely parked. Some domains may also show ‘domain is for sale’ or ‘domain registered, no active website’ messages on the WHOIS Lookup.

What are the common uses of parked domains?

People park domains for a variety of strategic reasons. Here are six of the most common ways they’re used to protect assets, build future opportunities or generate passive income:

1. Domain monetization

Some individuals make money with domain parking by placing advertisements on them. When a visitor clicks on an ad, the domain owner receives a share of the revenue. This strategy works best for high-traffic or keyword-rich domains.

2. Brand protection

Many businesses register multiple domains’ variations of their primary domain name to prevent others from acquiring them.

For example, Bluehost has a primary domain, ‘bluehost.com’. Apart from this, we also own ‘bluehost.in’ and ‘bluehost.org’, which ensure brand consistency and avoid confusion.

3. Traffic redirection

Business owners often redirect parked domains to the main websites. For example, Bluehost owns ‘bluehost.com’ along with ‘bluehost.ca’ and ‘bluehost.es’ as parked domains that redirect to our official website. This helps us improve brand visibility and capture additional traffic.

4. Future website development

People also park domains when they want to secure them for future use. For example, if you want to start a business and are sure about its name but feel it’s too early to build a website now, you can park that domain. So, no one else can claim it in the meantime.

Domain parking is quite helpful for startups and personal projects.

5. Resale and investment

Some individuals buy domains as an investment. So, they can sell the domain name at a higher price in the future. Until a buyer is found, users can park this domain with a ‘For Sale’ notice or monetize it with Ads.

6. Keep the domain until it expires

If you don’t want to keep your website active, you can disconnect the domain from your site’s IP address and park it until it expires. This prevents it from becoming an expired domain that others can claim until your ownership period ends.

How to point your parked domain to the main website with Bluehost?

Whether you’re reserving a domain for future use or redirecting traffic, Bluehost’s user-friendly interface makes domain management hassle-free. If you don’t have a domain yet, register a new domain with Bluehost.

Here’s how you can park a domain in just a few steps:

1. Login to your Bluehost Account Manager. 

2. Go to the ‘Hosting’ section and open ‘cPanel’ under ‘Quick Links’. 

3. Now, navigate to the ‘Domains’ section and click on the ‘Domains’ icon. 

4. Click on ‘Manage’ next to the domain that you want to mark as parked. 

5. Under ‘Update the domain’, add a folder path where you want your domain to point. For parked domain, choose ‘public_html’. 

6. Click on the Update button to point your domain to the main website.

What’s the difference between a parked domain vs. an addon domain vs. a subdomain?

Understanding the difference between parked domains, addon domains and subdomains is essential for managing your website and domain portfolio efficiently. Each serves a different purpose and is used in various scenarios.

Comparison table: Parked vs. addon vs. subdomain

Let’s understand their difference from the comparison table:

Feature	Parked domain	Addon domain	Subdomain
Has its own website?	No	Yes	Yes
Shares hosting with the main domain?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Displays a placeholder or redirects?	Yes	No	No
Used for brand protection?	Yes	No	No
Requires separate hosting setup?	No	Yes	No

In-detailed comparison parked vs. addon vs. subdomain 

Here is a detailed break-down of all three types to help you choose the right one for your needs: 

Parked domain

A parked domain is a registered domain that doesn’t have an active website but may display a placeholder page. You can also use it to redirect traffic or monetize with Ads.

For example, Bluehost owns ‘bluehost.com’ but has also purchased ‘bluehost.org’ and parked it to protect our brand.

Best use cases

• Protecting brand identity
• Holding a domain for future use
• Redirecting visitors to another website

Addon domain

An addon domain is a fully functional domain that is hosted under the same hosting account as your primary domain. It has its own website and content, separate from the primary domain.

For example, you own [bestshoes].com as your main site and add [stylishboots].com as an addon domain to host another website.

Best use cases

• Hosting multiple independent websites under the same hosting plan.
• Managing different businesses or projects from a single account.

Subdomain

A subdomain is a subsection of your main domain that operates as a separate part of your website. It usually appears before the primary domain name, such as [blog.example].com.

For example, you own [example].com as your main site and create [blog.example].com as a subdomain to host a separate blog section.

Best use cases

• Creating a separate blog or store section for your website.
• Organizing different parts of your business or content strategy.

Learn more: What is the Difference Between Addon, Parked and Subdomains?

Does parking a domain affect SEO?

Yes, parking a domain can impact SEO—but not always negatively. The effect largely depends on how you manage the parked domain.

Here are some negative SEO impacts of a parked domain:

• No indexed content – Search engines prefer websites with original, useful content. A parked domain usually has none, so it won’t rank in search results.
• Temporary deindexing by Google – Google may deindex parked domains automatically. It means they won’t show up in search results at all.
• Low authority & no backlinks – Since parked domains don’t have active content, they don’t build backlinks or domain authority, which are crucial for SEO.
• Potential spam issues – If a parked page is filled with low-quality ads or redirects to spammy sites, Google may flag it. This will make it harder to use the domain for SEO in the future.

When parking a domain is not harmful for SEO

Parking a domain isn’t harmful for SEO when:

• You reserve a domain for future use and don’t index it.
• ‘Coming Soon’ or a similar page with minimal content is used.
• The domain has a 301 redirect to an active website.

If you plan to use the domain for a website in the future, it’s best to put up a minimal landing page with helpful content. This helps you avoid getting deindexed and maintain some SEO value.

Note: You can manage these settings via Google Search Console to control indexing status.

How to keep your parked domains secure?

Parking a domain may seem like a simple process, but it’s important to keep your domain secure to prevent unauthorized access, hijacking or misuse. Here are some best practices to ensure your parked domains remain safe.

1. Use a reputed domain registrar

Always register your domain with a trusted registrar that provides security features, DNS management and customer support. Bluehost is one of the reliable domain and web hosting providers.

We offer one free domain name for one year with all our hosting plans. Plus, you get domain privacy protection, 24/7 expert support and an easy-to-use control panel.

2. Lock your domain name

Enabling domain lock prevents unauthorized transfers or changes. This ensures that no one can move your domain away from your control without your permission.

You can enable domain locking from your Bluehost account dashboard.

3. Privately register your domain

WHOIS Privacy Protection hides your contact details from public databases. This reduces the risk of spam identity theft and unwanted solicitations.

Bluehost offers domain privacy protection to keep your information secure.

4. Register your domain name for more than a year

Long-term registration reduces the risk of accidentally losing your domain due to missed renewals. It also signals to search engines that you’re serious about the domain.

Bluehost automatically sets up auto-renewal when you register a domain with us. This ensures your domain remains active.

5. Monitor parked domains for security

Regularly check your parked domains for unauthorized changes, malware or suspicious activity. Use Bluehost’s domain management tools to monitor DNS settings and ensure your parked domain remains under your control.

Also read: How to Install SSL Certificate on Addon or Parked Domains

Final thoughts

Understanding what is a parked domain can help you make smarter decisions about domain management, whether you’re protecting your brand or planning for future projects. While parked domains don’t contribute to SEO rankings, they serve a valuable purpose in securing online assets and preventing cybersquatting.

If you own multiple domains, make sure they’re well-protected with security features like domain locking and privacy protection. And if you’re looking to turn a parked domain into a source of revenue, consider selling it or monetizing it with ads.

With Bluehost, you can easily register, park and manage your domains all in one place. Plus, you get security features and 24/7 expert support for a seamless experience.

Ready to secure your perfect domain? Register your domain with Bluehost now and start building your online presence today!

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