Reading the evidence
What the mail server, connection, mailbox and catch-all test steps on each result tell you, and what the footer shows.
Every result shows how BounceOwl reached its verdict. You see the same evidence card on the Check page, and in History when you click a row to open its details. BounceOwl does not show raw SMTP reply codes. The evidence is written in plain words instead.
The four steps
The card shows four steps in order. Each step has a mark: a tick when it passed, a cross when it failed, a warning sign when the answer was unclear, and a dash when the step was skipped.
Mail server
The mail server (MX host) that handles mail for the domain, such as a Google or Microsoft host name. Under it you see the mail provider, for example Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or Zoho. If the domain sits behind a security gateway, it says so, for example Behind Proofpoint or Behind Mimecast.
None found means the domain can't receive mail at all. That makes the address a Bounce, and the check is free.
Connection
How BounceOwl reached the server:
- Over SMTP or Provider check: the connection worked and the server was asked about the mailbox.
- No answer: the server did not respond clearly. The reason is shown underneath, such as a timeout or a server that couldn't be reached. The verdict is Unknown and free.
- Not needed: the domain is already known to be catch-all, so no live check was required.
- Not possible: the domain has no mail server.
Mailbox
What the server said about this specific address:
- Accepts mail: the mailbox exists.
- Rejected: the server says the mailbox does not exist.
- Mailbox full or Disabled: the mailbox exists but mail would bounce.
- Accepted, unproven: the server said yes, but it says yes to every address, so the yes proves nothing. You see this with a Catch-all verdict.
- No answer or Not checked: no clear mailbox answer was given or needed.
Catch-all test
Whether the domain accepts every address:
- Passed (made-up address rejected): the server tells real and made-up addresses apart, so its answer about your address means something.
- Made-up address accepted: the domain is catch-all. See Catch-all check for how to get a firmer answer.
- Not checked: the test did not apply, for example when there was no clear mailbox answer.
The footer
The line at the bottom of the card shows:
- When the address was checked, and how long the check took in seconds.
- The credits used, No credit used, or why the result was free.
- Flags: role address, disposable inbox, or personal email provider.
If the address has bad syntax, the card shows Not a valid email and skips every other step.
Related
Last updated November 6, 2026