Email Verification / Validation

Email validation is a way we describe the process of checking and confirming the status of an email address. It essentially asks the key question: Does this email address actually exist and belong to someone who can receive messages?

Here are some points it's worth knowing about email verification:

What does email validation do?

Here's the low-down on what a good email validation process will take care of:

• Checks the format is correct: An email validation system will firstly check if the address follows the right structure with a username, "@" symbol, domain name, and appropriate top-level domain (that's its suffix, like .com, or .org).
• Verifies your email is real: Needless to say, it's critically important to know the domain you're sending to exists and isn't a typo or made-up name - that's what any validation process worth its salt will quickly ascertain.
• Checks your emails will work: Validation doesn't just check if an email looks legit superficially. It goes a step further and tests whether the address can actually receive messages through an SMTP connection. This will often mean sending a test email and looking for a response.
  
  

Why is email validation important?

Email validation is a key aspect to ensuring your data is tip-top and means future marketing campaigns are more likely to hit their mark. Here are the key advantages that come with validated emails:

• Improves deliverability:  Your validated emails reach real people and land in inboxes. Gone are the days of being confined to spam folders!
• Reduces bounces: Verified emails aren't likely to bounce back due to being invalid or typoed addresses, which in turn improves your sender score. 
• A* data quality: Email validation helps maintain a database with the utmost accuracy.
• Boosts sender reputation: Email service providers will notice that you're sending your communications to predominantly (or exclusively!) valid addresses, improving your deliverability score.
• Combats fraud: The best email validation systems will detect fake or disposable email addresses used for malicious purposes. This will mean you don't waste your time engaging with fraudsters, and that can only be a good thing.

Learn more: What is email validation, and why is it so important? 

How does email validation work?

Several methods are used for email verification, often combined in verification tools:

• Syntax check: Verifies the basic structure of the email address.
• Domain checks: Ensures the domain exists and accepts emails.
• MX record check: Confirms the mail exchange server responsible for receiving emails for the domain, and that it's all working as expected.
• Email ping: Sends a test email and analyzes the response to see if the address is active.
• Disposable email detection: Identifies known disposable email addresses.
• Spam trap testing: Checks against databases of known spam traps.

Overall, email verification plays a crucial role in maintaining accurate email lists, improving email deliverability, and protecting your sender reputation. To find out more about how Loqate can streamline your business' email validation process at the push of a button, check out Email Verify.