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An accept-all address (also called catch-all or unverifiable) is on a domain set to accept mail for any address. A verifier asks the mail server whether the mailbox exists, and an accept-all server says yes to everything, so the answer proves nothing.
Small companies often use this setting so they never miss a misspelled email. Others use it as a security measure, then reject unwanted mail later. That is why some accept-all addresses are real and some bounce after you send.
GetProspect delivers only emails from its database that passed our verification. When we cannot confirm an address on an accept-all domain, you do not get it, and you are not charged. You meet Accept-all mainly when you check your own lists in Email verifier.
Accept-all compared with the other verdicts
- Valid: the mail server confirmed the mailbox exists.
- Accept-all: the server accepts everything, so the mailbox cannot be confirmed. Your email may still come back as "address does not exist".
- Unknown: the server did not answer the check, often because of its security settings.
- Invalid: the server answered that the mailbox does not exist.
Sending to accept-all addresses safely
If you send through an email provider:
- Ask your provider how many unverified addresses you can send to and what bounce rate it allows.
- Send in small batches. Large batches of unverified addresses can get you blocked or marked as spam.
- Remove addresses that bounce.
If you send from your own mail server, you have no provider limit, but receiving providers such as Google watch how many of your recipients do not exist and can block you. Keep your bounce rate low and follow the same steps.