How Tomba’s Email Verifier Works: A Deep Dive into the Verification Process
While many people have heard of email verifiers, and some may have even used them, few fully understand the technical process behind how email verification actually works.
Tomba’s Email Verifier goes beyond surface-level checks. It uses a multi-step validation process to ensure that the emails you collect are valid, safe to send to, and reduce your bounce rates. Here’s a complete look into how it works, broken down step-by-step:
Step 1 Syntax Check: Is the Email Properly Formatted?
The first and most basic level of verification is the syntax check. This step ensures the email address is spelled correctly and follows proper formatting rules.
Tomba checks for:
No spaces or invalid characters (like commas)
Proper use of
@and.symbolsValid domain extensions (e.g.,
.com,.org,.net)Common formatting mistakes
This is the initial filter to catch obvious errors such as:
john..doe@@example,com or jane doe@company
If the syntax fails, the email is instantly marked as invalid — no further checks are necessary.
Step 2 Domain Check: Does the Email Domain Exist?
Once the syntax is verified, Tomba checks whether the domain name (the part after @) is:
Registered and active (not expired)
Properly configured with valid DNS records
Capable of receiving emails (i.e., has MX records)
For example, if you're verifying [email protected], Tomba will check if company.com is a real, working domain that can accept emails.
This prevents you from emailing addresses like [email protected] which will always bounce.
Step 3 Email Ping (SMTP Check): Does the Email Actually Exist?
The final and most technical step is the email ping, also known as the SMTP check.
Here’s what happens:
Tomba initiates a virtual connection with the email server using the EHLO command (a standard part of the SMTP protocol).
It simulates an attempt to send an email but doesn’t actually send anything.
The mail server responds with a code that tells Tomba whether the specific email address exists and is active.
If the server responds positively, the email is marked as valid. If not, it may be marked as invalid, catch-all, or unknown, depending on the server’s behavior.
Behind the Scenes: What Makes Tomba Stand Out?
Tomba adds extra intelligence and safety to the process:
Catch-All Detection: Some domains accept all emails regardless of validity. Tomba flags these as "Catch-All" so you can decide whether to include them in your campaigns.
Temporary/Disposable Email Detection: Tomba filters out one-time or disposable email addresses, ensuring your list contains only quality leads.
Webmail Filtering: Tomba is built for professionals — it automatically skips verification of webmail addresses like
gmail.com,yahoo.com, etc.Real-Time Verification: Every check happens live, ensuring you get the most accurate and up-to-date result.
Detailed Status Reports: Each verification comes with a status (Valid, Invalid, Catch-All, Webmail, etc.) and a confidence score when applicable.
Why Email Verification Matters
Verifying emails before sending is crucial to:
Protect your sender reputation
Improve deliverability
Lower bounce rates
Save money on email platforms by avoiding invalid contacts
Whether you're a developer integrating Tomba into your platform, or a marketer cleaning your list, understanding this process helps you make better decisions.
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