Catch-all
A catch-all domain accepts mail sent to any address at the domain, whether or not a mailbox exists.
How it works
That defeats mailbox verification: the server says "yes" to every address, so a check cannot tell a real person from a typo. Verification services report these as "accept all" or "risky".
Catch-all setups are common on small business domains. Treat them as unknown rather than as valid or invalid.
A common way to handle a catch-all domain is to accept the address, tag it, and watch the first message. If that message bounces later, suppress the address. Sending a short confirmation email to prove that someone reads the mailbox is the dependable test, because no outside check can see past the server's blanket acceptance.
Related LookValid products
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Email Validation (mailbox verification) | 1 credit per check | Product page |
| Email Domain Check | 1 credit per address checked | API docs |
New to the API? Start with the quickstart or the API reference. Agents can call the same lookups through the MCP server.