How to Verify an Email Address in 2024

Wondering how to verify an email address in 2024? Below we’ll share how, including:

1. How to verify email address without sending an email
2. Alternative: Sending an email and waiting for a response
3. Alternative: Searching an email on Google
4. How to verify email without any external tools
5. How to verify email list
6. How to confirm email ownership

Let’s jump in.

How to verify email address without sending an email?

[Embed Wiza email verifier tool]

Wiza’s free email verifier is easy, simple, and automated.

All you need to do is enter (or copy and paste) the email you’d like to verify, click verify, and the email verifier will put it through a real-time verification process that takes less than 10 seconds.

After the check is complete, you’ll see a verified status on screen—either deliverable, risky, or undeliverable—based on the email’s cybersecurity metrics.

Most email verification services in the market, including Skrapp’s email verifier, use similar multi-step processes to assess deliverability.

Alternative: Sending an email and waiting for a response

While it’s not as ideal as verifying the email before sending it (bounced emails can negatively impact your email sender reputation), sending an email and waiting for a response is a tried-and-true way to verify an email.

To do so, send an email to the email address you wish to verify and wait for a response.

• If you receive a response to your email from the email address, you’ll know it’s verified.
• If you receive a response from your email, usually within 30 minutes, saying that the email could not be delivered, you’ll know the email is undeliverable.

In either case, this method isn’t as efficient as using an email verifier tool.

Alternative: Searching an email on Google

Another alternative way to verify an email address is by entering it in Google search, enclosed in double quotation marks, for example, “name@company.com”. Google will return any results where this email address is found, effectively verifying that it is a known address.

While this method can work, it’s not the most reliable as not all emails—especially those of everyday folks—are shared or listed publicly on the web.

How to verify email without any external tools?

Verifying email address lists is just as straightforward as collecting them when you break the process down into individual steps:

How to verify email list?

Verifying email address lists is straightforward when you break the process down into individual steps:

1. Check email syntax

All email addresses follow a specific format: a username, followed by the @ symbol, and then the domain.

The username can be up to 64 characters long and may include special characters such as: ! # $ % & ‘ * + — / = ? ^ _ ` . { | } ~

Therefore, the following email addresses are valid:

• example@domain.com
• name.surname@service-provider.org
• user123@business.online

However, these email addresses are invalid:

• example@.com
• user@domain..com
• name@service-provider.com/com

To begin, conduct a simple email validation check to identify syntax errors, which are often the result of user mistakes.

Advanced email syntax checks might also attempt to correct common errors, such as user@gmil.com or user@outlok.com.

2. Remove throwaway and catch-all emails

Throwaway addresses offer limited value for email marketing purposes. Similarly, catch-all emails, which accept messages sent to incorrect addresses, are not very useful.

Other types of valid but undesirable addresses include spam traps and role-based accounts like admin@ or info@. Sending emails to these addresses can result in your address being added to a block list.

3. Check the domain name

Next, verify the DNS entries associated with domain names to check for a valid MX record.

The MX record identifies the mail server responsible for handling emails for that domain. If a domain lacks a valid MX record, it should be marked and removed from the email list.

Staying updated with evolving cybersecurity trends ensures these validation steps align with the latest protections against spoofing and email-based threats.

One widely used DNS checker is MXToolbox. When you enter a domain name like “gmail.com,” it shows: DNS Record found.

In contrast, entering an invalid domain like “gmail.comm” results in: Sorry, we couldn’t find any name servers for ‘gmail.comm’.

4. Ping the mail server

The purpose of this email verification method is to prompt a response from a mail server to confirm the validity of an email address.

While this can be done manually using telnet, which is a protocol for bidirectional, text-based communication, automating the process is more efficient.

Here’s an example of telnet verification for a Gmail mail server:

220 mx.google.com ESMTP u8si73423454wsd.18 - gsmtp
HELO here.com
250 mx.google.com at your service
MAIL FROM:<test@domain.com>
250 2.1.0 OK u8si73423454wsd.18 - gsmtp
RCPT TO:<example@gmail.com>
550-5.1.1 The email account that you tried to reach does not exist. Please try
550-5.1.1 double-checking the recipient's email address for typos or
550-5.1.1 unnecessary spaces. Learn more at
550 5.1.1 http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?answer=6596 u8si7354684wi
v.18 - gsmtp
quit
221 2.0.0 closing connection u8si73423454wsd.18 - gsmtp

For an invalid address, you will see messages such as “the account that you tried to reach does not exist” along with the response code 550.

Conversely, valid addresses will be indicated by the response code 250.

5. Keep up with list changes

People change their email addresses for various reasons, every day. A job change often results in a new work email, and personal milestones like marriage can lead to a name change and, consequently, a new email address.

Additionally, with numerous email services available, people frequently switch providers to benefit from better features.

Regular email list verification helps you stay updated with these changes. It’s not just about avoiding email bounces; it’s about ensuring your messages reach those who are genuinely interested.

Similar to keeping your phone contacts current, staying connected with the right audience is crucial.

This approach not only saves resources but also keeps your audience engaged with content that reaches them where they are most active.

How to confirm email ownership