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check if email address exists

Allen Prince
Allen Prince asked
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Last Modified: 2016-10-04
Email experts:

I have an old class list of emails for a reunion
I want to ensure that the addresses are current before sending out a notice for upcoming events
how could I check the servers to see if these emails still exist and to who they are registered?

Thanks
AJP
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Terry WoodsWeb Developer, specialising in WordPress
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Terry WoodsWeb Developer, specialising in WordPress
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Commented:
You could try googling the email address too to see if any recent results come up (eg blog sites), but email addresses are commonly kept private so you won't get a good hit rate even for addresses that are still in use.
Allen PrinceTraining Developer

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Commented:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20254748/Ping-an-email-server-To-validate-email-acct-before-its-sent.html

....from 14 years ago hints at ways that this can be done....
either we have advanced to make it more difficult or easier!
Somebody knows something :)
Alpha Geek
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Allen PrinceTraining Developer

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Commented:
Not the answers I was hoping for.
I looked around and found that it may be possible to eliminate/confirm a subset of the list through a mufti -step process with the right scripts...
Since this is a friendly undertaking we will simply send out a request to reply and hope that the interested folks check their email regularly.  
Thanks People
Terry WoodsWeb Developer, specialising in WordPress
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Commented:
I'd suggest posting that request as a separate question.
Mal OsborneAlpha Geek
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Commented:
Yeah, the big problem is spammers. If it is possible to verify an email address, then it makes harvesting and compiling lists a LOT easier. In 2016, this would be problematic.

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