// Glossary
Email Verification
Checking whether an email address is real, correctly formatted, and able to receive mail before you send to it.
Definition
Email verification is the process of confirming that an email address exists and can accept messages, without sending a real email. It typically checks syntax, the domain's MX records, and the mailbox itself via an SMTP probe, then flags the address as valid, invalid, risky, or unknown. Verifying a list before a campaign reduces bounces, protects sender reputation, and improves deliverability.