Email validation allowlists and blocklists

The ZeroBounce email validator allows users to create custom filters to allow or block emails, email domains, specific mx records or TLD (Top Level Domain). Making these allowlists and blocklists will enable you to customize your email validation experience for your needs.

Creating these custom filters simplifies email validation by automatically allowing or blocking values to conserve credits and improve email list validation efficiency.

Getting started

To create your email validation rules, log into your ZeroBounce account and visit your account settings.

  1. Go to Account.
  2. Click on Email Validation Rules or scroll down to “New Email Validation Rule.”
    ZeroBounce email validation rules in account settings

Adding an “allow” or “block” rule

In the settings, you’ll find two mandatory dropdown fields. You must select a value for both to create a new rule successfully.

Important Note - Before you begin, know that more specific rules will take priority over less specific ones.

For example:

Rule 1: Block - Email - test@example.com

Overrides

Rule 2: Allow - Domain - example.com

  1. Under Rule, select Allow or Block.
    Rule selection options dropdown in the ZeroBounce email validation rule settings
    Allow will create an exception for all emails, email domains, mx records or tld that match the value entered.

    Block will ensure that all emails, email domains, mx records or tld that match the value entered are automatically filtered and blocked from email validation.
  2. Under Target, select a value to allow or block: “domain”, “mx record”, "tld" or “email”.
    Target selection dropdown in the ZeroBounce email validation rule settings
  3. In the third mandatory field, Value, enter the exact value for the target selected during step two.
    Example value entry in the ZeroBounce email validation rule settings
    Example domain value - example.com

    Example mx record value - long.string.example.com

    Example tld value - .com

    Example email value - test@example.com
  4. Ensure that your value is correct. Then, click Create.
    Your complete list of custom rules will appear below under “Your Email Validation Rules.”
    A list of allow and block email validation rules in the ZeroBounce members area

Modify or delete custom rules

If you need to edit an existing rule, you can do so by locating the rule in your list and clicking Modify.

Email validation rule modification menu in the ZeroBounce members area

Doing so will prompt your rule to appear in the customization field above. You can then switch your rule from Allow to Block or vice versa.

If you wish to edit the Target or Value, delete the rule from your list and create a new one. You can do this by clicking Delete. A confirmation screen will appear to help prevent accidental rule changes on your account.

ZeroBounce email validation rule deletion confirmation prompt

Then, you may create a new rule that contains the proper Rule, Target and Value.

If you experience issues creating your custom allow or block rules, please contact the ZeroBounce support team - available 24/7 via phone, email or live chat.