Expired domain should be indexed or not

Is it necessary that expired domain is indexed in google is a non penalized domain?
I have seen many domain that have clean backlink profile but not indexed in google.
Are they penalized or good to use as pbn.

Not every domain has penalty. Some are out of google’s index due to server down for a long time

You’ll have to manually check wayback machine, it’s backlinks to get a idea

It doesn't really matter if it's already indexed or not if it's clean

Different online tools can help you check if an expired domain got penalized. URL shortener for one can help you check it.

Domain doesn't have to be in the index to be perfectly clean and fine to use. On the other hand, just because the domain is in index, doesn't mean it's not a toxic piece of crap, that will get deindexed very soon.

Even though there is a connection with index and penalties, it doesn't necessarily mean much.

Clean backlink profile, by itself, doesn't mean much either.

So once again, as hundred times this year:

- Clean anchors
- Clean historic anchors
- Clean backlink profile
- Nothing suspicious in hosting history
- Archive.org
- Domaintools screenshots

If all of this is okay, then you are good to go.

Archive often gives a better picture. You'll have to dig in a lot of time.

Only if you are buying domain in auction; it should be ideally indexed. if you are buying expired domain, 99% chances are it will not be indexed and this is normal