How to identify and remove catchall domains from your b2b database in Verifycatchall

If you’re running B2B email campaigns, you’ve probably run into the headache of catchall domains. You know, the ones that accept any email address—even the fake ones you just made up. They clutter up your list, skew your bounce rates, and mess with your deliverability. This guide is for anyone who wants to clean up their database and get real about who they can actually reach. Specifically, we’ll use Verifycatchall to spot and remove these domains without wasting a ton of time.

Let’s cut through the noise and actually fix the problem.


What’s a Catchall Domain and Why Should You Care?

A “catchall” domain is set up to accept any email sent to it, whether or not the email address is real. If you send an email to asldkjasd@company.com and it doesn’t bounce, that’s a catchall in action.

Why does this matter? Because:

  • You can’t trust a catchall response. Just because it didn’t bounce doesn’t mean there’s a real person behind the address.
  • They inflate your “delivered” numbers. You think you’re reaching more people than you actually are.
  • More bounces down the road. When you finally hit the inbox, the real mail server might quietly drop or block your message.
  • They can trigger spam filters. Too many emails to non-existent addresses, and you’ll look sketchy to ESPs.

Bottom line: catchall domains make your email data look better than it really is. If you care about accuracy and deliverability, you need to weed them out.


Step 1: Prep Your B2B Database

Before you do anything, get your database ready. You want to work with the cleanest data possible.

What to do:

  • Export your email list in CSV or Excel format. Stick to a file type Verifycatchall accepts.
  • Remove obvious junk—empty rows, weird formatting, duplicate emails.
  • Make sure each row has only one email address.

Pro tip: If your data is a mess, take 10 minutes to clean it now. The better your input, the easier the rest of this process will be.


Step 2: Upload Your List to Verifycatchall

Here’s the part where you let the tool do the heavy lifting.

How to upload:

  1. Log in to Verifycatchall.
  2. Find the “Bulk Upload” or “List Verification” section.
  3. Upload your CSV or Excel file.

Depending on your plan, there may be a limit to how many emails you can check at once. If you’ve got a monster list, break it up into chunks.

Note: Some tools claim to “detect” catchalls instantly. Most are just guessing. Verifycatchall actually tests the domain, but even the best tools can’t guarantee 100% accuracy—catchalls are tricky by design.


Step 3: Run the Catchall Detection Process

Once your file is uploaded, kick off the verification. Here’s what to expect:

  • The tool will scan each domain to see if it’s a catchall.
  • It’ll label emails as “catchall,” “valid,” “invalid,” or “unknown.”
  • The process may take a few minutes or (for big lists) up to an hour.

Don’t get impatient: Email verification is part art, part science. Real catchall detection involves probing mail servers, and some play hard to get.

What to ignore: Some columns in your results will be noise—like “role-based” or “disposable.” For this task, focus on the “catchall” status.


Step 4: Review the Results

After the process runs, you’ll get a report. Now’s your chance to see who’s who.

  • Filter for “catchall” domains. Most tools give you an easy way to do this—look for a column labeled “catchall” or “catchall status.”
  • Spot-check a few domains. If you see big brands or familiar companies popping up as catchalls, don’t freak out. Many large companies use catchall setups for privacy or convenience.
  • Look for patterns. Some industries (IT, agencies, consultancies) use catchalls more than others.

Honest take: You won’t be able to remove every catchall from your list, nor should you—it’s about reducing risk, not nuking your database.


Step 5: Decide What to Do With Catchall Domains

You’ve got options. Here’s the reality check:

Option 1: Remove all catchall domains. - Pros: Safest for deliverability, especially if you’re sending cold email. - Cons: You’ll lose some real leads. Some catchall domains are legit, and people do check those inboxes.

Option 2: Keep catchall domains, but treat them differently. - Flag them in your CRM or ESP. - Send to them more cautiously—lower frequency, smaller batches. - Don’t use them for your first outreach.

Option 3: Try to validate further. - If you have a relationship with someone at the company, confirm their address another way (e.g., LinkedIn, company website). - Use a double opt-in for these contacts, if possible.

What NOT to do: Don’t assume catchalls are safe just because they didn’t bounce. That’s how you end up on blacklists.


Step 6: Remove or Segment Catchall Domains From Your List

Time to tidy up.

How to remove catchalls:

  • Filter your spreadsheet or database for rows labeled “catchall.”
  • Delete them outright, or move them to a separate sheet for review.
  • If you’re using a CRM or marketing tool, update the records to reflect their status.

Pro tip: Don’t just delete—archive. If you ever want to revisit or retarget, you’ll have them handy, but not in your main outreach lists.


Step 7: Keep Your Database Clean Going Forward

Catchalls aren’t a “set it and forget it” problem. They pop up over time.

What works: - Run catchall checks on new lists before importing into your main database. - Schedule regular audits—quarterly is usually enough for most teams. - Educate your team about the risks of catchalls and why you’re cleaning them.

What doesn’t: Relying on a single verification pass forever. Domains can change their email setups overnight.


Pro Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Don’t trust “guaranteed deliverability” claims. No tool can promise zero bounces if you send to catchall domains. Anyone who says otherwise is selling snake oil.
  • Don’t just focus on catchalls. Invalid, disposable, and role-based emails are also worth scrubbing.
  • Be wary of free verification tools. They’re fine for small lists or a quick check, but they rarely handle catchalls well.
  • If in doubt, test. Send a small campaign to your catchall segment and watch the engagement and bounce rates before scaling up.
  • Document your process. It’ll save you headaches when someone asks why half the list is missing.

Wrapping Up

Cleaning catchall domains out of your B2B database isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of those unsexy things that pays off. Better data means better results—fewer bounces, less wasted effort, and a cleaner sender reputation. Don’t overthink it: keep your process simple, stay skeptical of easy answers, and check in on your data every so often. The less drama in your email list, the better.