Email Validation Glossary
Clear, concise definitions of email validation, authentication, and deliverability terms.
BIMI
Brand Indicators for Message Identification — an email standard that lets organisations display their brand logo next to authenticated emails in supporting inboxes.
Read full definitionBurner Email
Slang for a disposable or temporary email address used once and discarded. Named after prepaid "burner" phones.
Read full definitionCatch-All Email
A domain configuration where any email sent to any address at that domain is accepted, regardless of whether the specific mailbox exists.
Read full definitionDisposable Email Address
A temporary, throwaway email address created to avoid giving out a real email address. Commonly used to bypass signup forms and abuse free trials.
Read full definitionDKIM
DomainKeys Identified Mail — a cryptographic email authentication method that lets a receiving server verify that an email was genuinely sent by the domain it claims to be from.
Read full definitionDMARC
Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance — a policy that tells receiving servers what to do when an email fails SPF and DKIM checks.
Read full definitionDNS
The Domain Name System — the internet's directory that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses. DNS also stores email-related records like MX, SPF, and DMARC.
Read full definitionEmail Authentication
A set of protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) that verify the identity of an email sender and protect domains from being used in spoofing and phishing attacks.
Read full definitionEmail Blacklist
A real-time database of IP addresses and domains known to send spam. Also called a DNSBL (DNS-based Blackhole List) or RBL (Real-time Blackhole List).
Read full definitionEmail Bounce
When an email cannot be delivered to the intended recipient and is returned to the sender. Bounces are classified as "hard" (permanent) or "soft" (temporary).
Read full definitionEmail Deliverability
The ability of an email to successfully reach the recipient's inbox rather than being filtered to spam or bounced.
Read full definitionEmail Risk Score
A numeric score that indicates the likelihood that an email address is fraudulent, fake, or likely to cause problems. Higher risk means the address is more likely to be problematic.
Read full definitionEmail Validation
The process of verifying that an email address is correctly formatted, has a valid domain with working mail servers, and is likely to receive email.
Read full definitionMTA-STS
Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security — an email security standard that allows domain owners to enforce TLS encryption for inbound email, preventing downgrade attacks.
Read full definitionMX Record
A DNS record that specifies which mail server handles email for a domain. MX stands for Mail Exchange.
Read full definitionRole-Based Email Address
An email address associated with a job function or department rather than a specific person, such as info@, admin@, support@, or sales@.
Read full definitionSPF Record
A DNS TXT record that lists which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of a domain. SPF stands for Sender Policy Framework.
Read full definitionTemporary Email
An email address that exists for a limited time, typically minutes to hours, before self-destructing. Functionally identical to a disposable email address.
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