Checklist
The Email List Cleaning Checklist
Run through this before you import a new list or send to one you haven't touched in 90 days. It takes the list from raw to safe-to-send.
Before you start
- Export the full list to CSV with a clear email column.
- Note where the list came from (signup, purchased, event, CRM export) — it predicts how dirty it is.
- Back up the original file before making changes.
Verify & filter
- Check syntax and fix obvious typos (gmial.com → gmail.com).
- Verify the domain and MX records exist.
- Run an SMTP/mailbox check to confirm each address can receive mail.
- Flag catch-all (accept-all) domains and segment them separately.
- Remove disposable/throwaway domains.
- Decide whether to keep role accounts (info@, sales@).
- De-duplicate — including near-duplicates with different formatting.
Before you send
- Suppress anyone who previously bounced or unsubscribed.
- Confirm SPF, DKIM and DMARC are set up for your sending domain.
- Send to your most engaged segment first to warm the list.
- Keep the bounce rate under 2% — pause and re-verify if it climbs.
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