: Why do non-working websites look like search indexes? An example of this could be shown on every .tk domain that doesn't exist, just write www.givemeacookie.tk or something, you get into a fake

@Candy875

When a domain expires but is still within the Grace period it will be parked on one of these PPC services for example Sedo. You will find that most registrars become the official owner of the domain but might still allow the registrant to renew it (there is no contractual obligation to do so!).

This period also allows the registrar to test the domain for traffic and revenue by putting up PPC (pay per click) ads on the domain.

For more info see this great article: www.dailydomainer.com/2007124-expired-but-not-gone.html
and an example of one of these domain parking companies
www.sedo.com/uk/park-domains/how-parking-works/?tracked=&partnerid=20293&language=e
regards,

Hedley Phillips
Digital Essence
Web Design & Hosting

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@Sarah324

The top-level domains for many countries are essentially up for grabs - the highest bidder can lobby a country's government to acquire "parking rights" for all the domains which have yet to be registered.

The .cm TLD is probably the best example of this dubious practice, though you may want to check to ensure that the page which is being served up is not coming from your ISP or possibly even adware installed on your web browser, as non-existent domains appear to be the target of many opportunists.

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@Angie530

That's a "parked" domain. Look in the footer. Ostensibly, this is a service the host is offering to domain owners who haven't actually built out a site yet. In truth, they're really squatting on the domain, they'll probably never do anything with it and this is just a money grab.

Hover over any of those links. It's all advertising and affiliate links. If somebody happens to click one of them, they make a little money. Multiply by them probably owning hundreds or thousands, and it adds up.

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