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Catch-all resolution

Catch-all email verification with a clear verdict

Accept-all domains say yes to every address, so most checks stop at "maybe". RocketVerifier scores each catch-all address from 0 to 100 and tells you whether to send.

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In the API

A verdict, a score and the reasons

Catch-all results carry a catch_all_verdict you can branch on, plus a catch_all object with the score, the method used and the evidence behind it.

  • catch_all_verdict is null for every domain that is not catch-all
  • method is pattern when the domain's naming convention was used, heuristic otherwise
  • The same fields appear in bulk results, CSV exports and webhooks
POST /v1/verify RocketVerifier-Version: 2026-11-01 
{
  "email": "jane.doe@acme-corp.com",
  "status": "risky",
  "sub_status": "catch_all",
  "domain": {
    "name": "acme-corp.com",
    "acceptAll": "yes",
    "disposable": "no",
    "free": "no"
  },
  "catch_all_verdict": "send_safe",
  "catch_all": {
    "verdict": "send_safe",
    "score": 88,
    "method": "pattern",
    "reasons": [
      "Local part looks like a real name (e.g. first.last)",
      "Matches this domain's known naming pattern (first.last, seen in 86% of 14 verified mailboxes)",
      "Domain is hosted on a reputable provider (microsoft)"
    ]
  }
}

How it works

From accept-all to a send decision

No single signal settles a catch-all address. RocketVerifier combines several, per address, every time.

  1. Detect accept-all servers

    During the SMTP check, the mail server is also tested with random addresses that cannot exist. If it accepts those too, the domain is catch-all and a plain mailbox check cannot prove anything.

  2. Read the address itself

    Name-like local parts such as jane.doe or jdoe score higher. Random strings such as xk7q2p9z score lower.

  3. Match the domain’s naming convention

    Addresses are compared with the naming pattern the domain uses for confirmed mailboxes, such as first.last. Patterns are stored as anonymous shape counts, never as addresses.

  4. Weigh the mail provider

    A catch-all domain hosted on an established mailbox provider gets a small confidence boost over an unknown, self-hosted server.

  5. Score and recommend

    The signals combine into a 0 to 100 score and a verdict: send_safe, send_with_caution or avoid, with up to five plain-English reasons.

Act on it

What to do with each verdict

Filter by verdict in the dashboard, in your CSV export or in code, and send each group the right way.

  • Send safe

    send_safe

    Strong signals that the mailbox is real. Treat it like a deliverable address in your normal sends.

  • Send with caution

    send_with_caution

    Mixed signals. Send in smaller batches, warm up first, or keep it to engaged segments.

  • Avoid

    avoid

    Unlikely to be a real mailbox. Leave it out of campaigns to protect your sender reputation.

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FAQ

Catch-all verification, answered

What is a catch-all email domain?

A catch-all, or accept-all, domain is configured to accept mail for any address, including ones that do not belong to a real mailbox. Because the server never rejects an address during the SMTP check, a standard verification cannot tell whether jane@acme.com actually exists.

How does RocketVerifier score a catch-all address?

It combines how plausible the address looks, whether it matches the naming convention the domain uses for confirmed mailboxes, and the reputation of the mail provider into a 0 to 100 score. The score maps to a verdict of send_safe, send_with_caution or avoid, returned with the reasons behind it.

What status does a catch-all address get?

With RocketVerifier-Version 2026-11-01, which the dashboard always uses, catch-all addresses are returned as risky with sub_status catch_all and a catch_all_verdict. Integrations pinned to 2025-01-01 keep the earlier mapping, where catch-all addresses are unknown.

Does catch-all resolution cost extra?

No. Catch-all resolution runs as part of every verification at the standard 1 credit per email. There is no add-on or separate tier.

Is my data used to score other customers’ addresses?

No addresses are shared. Naming conventions are learned as anonymous counts of address shapes, such as how many confirmed mailboxes on a domain follow first.last. No email address and no customer data is ever read back.

Are catch-all addresses covered by the bounce guarantee?

The bounce guarantee covers addresses marked deliverable. Catch-all addresses are returned as risky with a verdict, so use the verdict to decide how to send them.

Stop guessing on catch-all addresses

Verify your list and get a score and a verdict for every catch-all address, at no extra cost.

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