How the email verification tool works

How do we verify an email?

There are several methods for verifying an email address:

  1. Syntax validation: This method checks the email address for proper syntax and format. This includes checking that the email address contains an @ symbol, a valid domain name, and the correct number of characters.
  2. DNS validation: This method looks up the domain name associated with the email address to confirm that it is a valid domain and that it has the proper MX records. This can be done by querying the domain's DNS server for the MX records associated with the domain.
  3. Mailbox validation: This method attempts to establish a connection to the email server associated with the address to see if a mailbox exists for the address in question. This can be done by sending a message to the email server and waiting for a response.
  4. SMTP validation: This method performs a SMTP transaction, this allows to check if the email exist and can receive email by connecting to the email server, sending a message and wait for a response.
  5. Email pattern check: This method checks for common patterns in the email address, like the domain should be valid, the email should not be disposable emails and so on
  6. Catch-all test: This method checks if the email address is a catch-all address. Catch-all addresses are email addresses that will accept email sent to any non-existent address at a particular domain.

Keep in mind that while these methods can be effective in verifying an email address, they may not always be 100% accurate. Some invalid email addresses may pass verification, while some valid email addresses may be flagged as invalid. Additionally, some email servers may be configured to hide the existence of certain email addresses, so even if a mailbox validation test is successful, the email address may not be in use.

Step 1: We check the email address format
First step

We check the email address format.

Step 2: Then make sure the domain name is valid
Second step

Then make sure the domain name is valid.

Step 3: check MX records
Third step

In the last step, it extracts the MX records from the domain records and connects to the email server (via SMTP and also simulates sending a message) to verify that the mailbox actually exists for that user/address. Some mail servers are not involved in the process, in such cases the result of this email verification tool may not be as accurate as expected.

An email validator is a simple little tool for validating an email address. It's free and pretty easy to use. Just enter your email address and click the verification button. It tells you if the email id is real or fake.
Sometimes it can't predict correctly and say unknown because some email providers have set some limits and limitations or they just don't like any kind of checking checks on their mailboxes.