When an address can't be resolved

Catch-all resolution gets a definite answer for most addresses, but not every one. When it can't decide, the address keeps the status Catch-all and you pay nothing for the attempt.

What you'll see

• Single check: the banner still reads Catch-All after resolution, and no credits are taken.
• Bulk job: the row stays in the Catch-all filter; the job's credit total doesn't include it.
• Email finder: the address is returned as the most likely one, marked as catch-all and not verified. You pay for the found email (20), not for the resolution.
• Lead lists: the lead keeps its current address, and the resolution is free.

Why some addresses can't be resolved

Every mail system is set up differently. An answer may not be possible when:

• The domain's mail is behind an enterprise security gateway that doesn't reveal anything about individual mailboxes.
• The mail server gives the same response for every address, whatever we ask.
• The server was temporarily unavailable or limited how many checks it accepted at that moment.

None of these mean the address is bad. They mean nobody can tell from the outside without sending a real email.

What to do next

1. Check the pattern. Look up how the company formats its addresses: see Look up a domain's email pattern. An address that follows the domain's usual pattern (for example first.last) is more likely to be real than one that doesn't.
2. Check the deliverability index. A Low or Very Low rating means strict filtering, and cold mail may not land even when the mailbox exists. See The deliverability index.
3. Try again later. If a server was busy, a later attempt can succeed. You're charged only if it does.
4. Send carefully. If you still want to reach these people, send in small batches from a warmed-up domain and watch your bounce rate.
5. Leave them out of large sends. For high-volume campaigns, the safest choice is to send only to deliverable addresses.

Is anything ever charged for an unresolved address?

No. The 5 for resolution is charged only when the answer is deliverable or invalid. In a single check the credits are set aside while the check runs and returned as soon as it ends without an answer. Your usage history shows only what was charged.