# Verify your email list before sending

> A few bounces are normal, but too many can damage a sending domain. Verification is cheap protection.

## What verification does

An email verifier checks whether an address can receive mail, without sending an email. Typical checks:

- **syntax** — is it a valid email format?
- **domain** — does the domain exist and accept mail (MX records)?
- **mailbox** — does the server say this specific mailbox exists?
- **risk flags** — disposable, role-based, known spam traps.

## Why bounces matter

Inbox providers watch your bounce rate. Sending to many invalid addresses signals a poor list — a classic spammer pattern — and hurts where your future emails land.

## Catch-all domains

Some domains accept mail for any address, so a verifier can't confirm whether a specific mailbox exists. These are reported as "catch-all" or "unknown". They're not necessarily bad — many small businesses use catch-all setups — but treat them as higher risk and send to them carefully. See [catch-all emails explained](https://getclient.pro/learn/catch-all-email).

## Emails found on websites

Emails GetClient finds on a business's own website are normally real, published addresses — a good starting point. But websites go out of date: a staff member leaves, a domain changes. The email status column flags addresses that look problematic.

## When to verify

- before large sends (hundreds or thousands)
- when the list is more than a few weeks old
- when using new sending domains still warming up
- when your bounce rate starts rising

## What to do with results

- **valid:** send
- **invalid:** remove
- **catch-all / unknown:** send in small batches, or reach by phone or social instead
- **role-based (info@):** keep for small businesses where the owner reads them

Related: [cleaning a lead list](https://getclient.pro/blog/clean-lead-list-before-outreach) · [deliverability basics](https://getclient.pro/blog/cold-email-deliverability-basics)

## Frequently asked questions

### Are emails found on business websites reliable?

They are published by the business, so normally real — but websites go out of date. Check the email status and verify large lists before sending.

### Should I send to catch-all emails?

Carefully. They can't be fully verified, so send in small batches and watch your bounce rate.

Source: https://getclient.pro/blog/verify-emails-before-sending