What is mailboxlayer?
Mailboxlayer is a free, simple and powerful JSON API offering instant email address validation & verification via syntax checks, typo and spelling checks, SMTP checks, free and disposable provider filtering, and much more. Its system is REST-based, secured by 256-bit HTTPS encryption, and pursuing the goal of assisting developers and businesses in fighting fraudulent users, increasing success rates of email campaigns and only sending email to real customers.
At mailboxlayer we believe that every online business should be verifying email addresses before letting them into their database, that is why we decided to offer 100 monthly validation requests for free. You can sign up for your free API Access Key here.
Who runs the mailboxlayer API?
The mailboxlayer API is a product built and maintained by apilayer, an Austrian technology company aiming to build a variety of reliable and essential programming interfaces (APIs) and make them affordable for both startups and larger companies. APILAYER LTD is headquartered in Austria, with offices Vienna, and London, United Kingdom.
How accurate is the SMTP Check?
In most cases the mailboxlayer API's SMTP check is entirely accurate when it comes to detecting whether or not an email address actually exists. We are saying "most" cases because certain mail servers tend to suddenly behave in unexpected ways and cause trouble out of nowhere, which may decrease the effectiveness of "pinging" a mail server via SMTP at times.
Combined with all other mailboxlayer validation tools, however, there is no better way to separate low-quality addresses from high-value email contacts and to successfully keep fraudulent users out of your system.
Why wouldn't I send email to free email addresses like "Gmail"?
Generally, sending email to free email addresses like "Gmail" or "Yahoo!" is perfectly okay. For certain types of email campaigns, however, it might make sense to sort out users utilizing free email providers in order to reduce bounce rates.
See the API's Documentation for details.
What's wrong with disposable email addresses like "mailinator.com"?
Email addresses like "mailinator.com" or "trashmail.com" are using disposable email provdiders, which offer an anonymous way to create a one-time email address. These inboxes are often publicly visible and associated with fraudulent behaviour. We highly advise against approving these types of email addresses in your system or list of recipients.
See the API's Documentation for details.
Is the mailboxlayer API service secure?
Yes. Since we understand that your API requests contain may sensitive data, we offer paid customers the possibility to access the API and all data provided by and processed through it via industry-standard 256-bit HTTPS encryption.
See the API's Documentation for details.
How do I get an API Access Key?
Every registered user is assigned a personal Access Key, a unique "password" that can be used to access and query the mailboxlayer API. If you are logged in, you can find it in your Account Dashboard and in all interactive links contained in the API's Documentation.
In your Account Dashboard you can reset your Access Key at any given time.
In order to make an API Request, you are required to attach your Access Key to a valid API endpoint URL, e.g: http://apilayer.net/api/bulk_check?access_key=YOUR_ACCESS_KEY
What is an API request?
Pricing is based on the number of monthly API Requests offered for each individual Subscription Plan. Accessing any type of mailboxlayer API data using a valid API Access Key counts as one "API Request".
What happens if I exceed my API Request volume?
Users will be automatically notified via e-mail and on their Account Dashboard once at least 75%, 90%, and 100% of their monthly API Request allowance has been reached. After reaching 100% of the allowance, overages fees will apply so we make sure you won’t experience any disruptions and your website/application will keep running smoothly. You can learn more about overages billing here.
What is the API's uptime?
The mailboxlayer API's system status is being closely monitored around the clock. Since every effort is made to ensure the highest possible level of consistency, we are happy to announce that our API's uptime is at around 99.9%. At the current stage we are not offering any public statistics, but we will be happy to provide you with recent uptime reports - ask us »
What is the difference between Free and Paid Subscriptions?
The Free Plan is set out to be a "trial version" without a time limit, offering a volume of 100 monthly API requests.
Paid Subscription Plans feature significantly higher API Request volumes, ensure secure datastreams via 256-bit HTTPS Encryption, include unlimited and prioritised technical support, and offer a variety of must-have API functionalities.
Which Subscription Plan fits my needs?
In order to test the API and to get an idea of the product, you can simply sign up for the Free Plan.
As soon as you or your application requires more than 100 API requests per month and more professional API functionality, you would be well-advised to sign up for one of the paid Subscription Plans, starting at only USD 14.99 per month.
Which payment methods are supported?
Payments can be made via Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diner's Club). You can change your payment method at any given time in the Payment section of your Account Dashboard.
Can I also pay yearly?
Yes. If you choose annual billing, the total price of your subscription plan will be up to 15% lower than the total amount you would pay with a monthly payment frequency.
How do I cancel/downgrade?
You can initiate a cancellation or downgrade by selecting a new plan and providing at least one reason for your decision. The customer service team will cancel or downgrade your plan. Downgrades are not effective immediately; your premium subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.
How do I cancel/downgrade?
You can initiate a cancellation or downgrade by selecting a new plan and providing at least one reason for your decision. The customer service team will cancel or downgrade your plan. Downgrades are not effective immediately; your premium subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.
How do I change between monthly and yearly billing?
To change your subscription from monthly to yearly billing, submit a request on the Contact Us page on the website following these steps:
Step 1: Sign in to your account
Step 2: Go to Contact Us page
Step 3: Fill out the form and choose the “Sales” category for this request.
Step 4: In the text box, include your specific request for example “Change from Monthly to Yearly subscription.”
Any more questions?