Redirecting a previously expired domain - any SEO benefits?

[Wardy]

Is there any SEO benefits from registering a previously expired domain name that is still linked to form an authorative source and 301 redirecting it to another site on a similar subject?

Obviously first benefit is giving users who are clicking on the link to be sent to a site on a similar subject that just to a dead link.

[Horizon]

Hi Wardy,

Usually, there would be value to redirect an expired domain, but it depends on the age, what the domain previously held, and whether there is revelance to your new domain. With a 301 redirect, any "link juice" (hate the term, but it's got to be used!) will be passed down the line to your new site, so as long as the link and old domain is valuable, the answer is yes, there would be some slight benefit.

Also, check in "open site explorer" to see if there are any other valuable links to your old domain. If there are several valuable links, buy the domain and redirect before someone else buys it.

If there's just the one valuable link, write to the site and ask them to amend the destination URL.

Hope that helps.

Matt