How email checking works
Everything about the email check in one place: what it does, why it is worth it, what the results mean and what it costs.
In short
An email check finds out whether an email address can really receive mail, without sending any email. You get a clear answer for each address, so you can send only to the ones that work.
Why check emails at all?
When you send to an address that does not exist, the message bounces back. A few bounces are normal. Many bounces are a warning sign to email providers.
Gmail, Outlook and others judge you by how many of your emails bounce. A bad reputation sends your future emails, even to good addresses, to spam.
Email tools often charge by the contact or by the send. Removing dead addresses first means you pay for fewer of them.
People change jobs, close accounts and mistype addresses. The emails we find on Instagram are published by the account owner, but some are old or have a typo.
What we check
- Format. Is the address written correctly, for example name@company.com?
- Domain. Does the part after the @ exist and is it set up to receive mail?
- Mail server and mailbox. Does the receiving server answer, and does that exact mailbox exist? This is done through a short automatic conversation with the mail server. No email is sent.
- Risk flags. Throw-away addresses from temporary email services, shared addresses such as info@ or sales@, and likely typos such as gmial.com.
What the results mean
The address is valid and the mailbox exists. Safe to send to.
The address does not work: the format is wrong, the domain cannot receive mail, or the mailbox does not exist. Do not send to it.
We cannot tell. Many companies accept all mail for any address (a catch-all), or a server refuses to answer. Unknown results are free. Send to them in small groups and watch the bounces.
What it costs
1 credit per email checked. Only Passed and Failed results use a credit. Unknown results are free. An address you have already checked is never charged twice. The check uses the same credits as the lead finder, so there is one balance for both.
How accurate is it?
No email check is 100% accurate, and we do not pretend it is. Some mail servers hide whether a mailbox exists. When that happens we show Unknown instead of guessing. A Passed result means the mailbox exists. It does not mean the person will read or answer your email.
Tips for better results
- Check a list shortly before you send it. Lists get old.
- Remove every Failed address. Send to Passed first.
- Shared addresses like info@ can pass, but several people read them and replies are less common.
- A clean list helps delivery, but it does not give you permission to email people. Follow the laws that apply to your recipients.
Common questions
Does checking send an email to the person?
No. Nobody is contacted. We only ask the receiving mail server whether the mailbox exists.
Is the check optional?
Yes. You can download your leads without checking them. The check only helps you avoid bounces.
Can I check a list I already have?
Yes. Use the email checker, paste your addresses or upload a CSV file.
Why do some emails say Unknown?
Usually the company accepts all mail for any address, or its server does not answer our question. We never guess, so those are marked Unknown and are not charged.
Are my results saved?
Yes. Results are kept in My lists for 30 days, where you can download them.