--- title: "How Email List Verification Works | Refresh List" description: "Learn how Refresh List inspects CSV structure, removes duplicates before paid checks, verifies eligible unique addresses, reconciles credits, and preserves original spreadsheet rows." url: https://refreshlist.net/how-it-works last_updated: 2026-10-09 --- [Refresh List](/) › How it works THE WORKFLOW / FROM FILE TO EVIDENCE # How Refresh List cleans and verifies an email list Refresh List starts with a free structural inspection, shows you the maximum verification requirement, checks eligible unique addresses through your configured provider, and returns categorized results with the original row context intact. Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Product behavior and limitations are stated plainly below. THE SHORT ANSWER ## Inspect first. Approve second. Verify with evidence. A verification result is not a delivery promise. Refresh List makes the path from uploaded row to final result visible, including duplicates, skipped records, unknown outcomes, and credit reconciliation. [01 Inspect Find structure, duplicates, and skipped rows.](#inspect) [02 Review See the eligible count and credit requirement.](#quote) [03 Verify Send eligible unique addresses to the provider.](#verify) [04 Reconcile Export results and follow the accounting trail.](#export) 01 / LOCAL PREFLIGHT ## Start with structure, not a blind upload. Drop a CSV or TXT file into RefreshScan and select the email column. The browser-side preflight checks common structure problems, maps repeated addresses, counts skipped rows, and estimates the maximum number of eligible checks. - The original file stays in the browser during local inspection. - Duplicates are counted before paid verification. - Malformed or missing values are separated from mailbox outcomes. - The current limit is 50 MB with no email-row cap per file. [Run RefreshScan](/tools/email-list-health-check) PREFLIGHT RECEIPT Rows received 50,000 Unique addresses 47,820 Duplicates 1,870 · free Skipped 310 · free Maximum checks 47,820 Illustrative receipt. No live addresses are checked in this demonstration. CREDIT ACCOUNTING ## Know the billable set before you approve. Refresh List separates a reservation from the final reconciliation. Compare the eligible unique count with your available balance and choose the smallest one-time pack that covers the job. Eligible unique checks 47,820 Duplicates and skipped 0 credits Unused paid credits Never expire 02 / REVIEW THE QUOTE ## Approve only when the scope is clear. The quote tells you what Refresh List can send for verification. It does not claim that every address will receive a conclusive answer, and it does not hide unknown results inside a success rate. Each completed unique check uses one credit, including valid, invalid, and unknown outcomes. Unprocessed reservations can be returned when a job is reconciled. [See pricing and credit rules](/pricing) 03 / PROVIDER CHECK ## Verification happens after approval. The authenticated workspace sends eligible email addresses—not your surrounding spreadsheet columns—to the configured verification service. The provider returns an outcome and available reason; Refresh List records the result against the original source row. Unknown stays unknown. An inconclusive response is never converted into valid or invalid just to make a report look cleaner. RESULT MODEL VALID Evidence supports a mailbox outcome at check time. INVALID Evidence supports a conclusive failure for the eligible address. UNKNOWN A conclusive mailbox outcome could not be established. [Read every result status](/result-status-guide) 04 / RECONCILIATION ## Leave with a report you can explain. Review provider progress, processed counts, reserved credits, consumed credits, and returned credits. Download the result group that fits your next action while keeping source columns attached. VALID.csv INVALID.csv UNKNOWN.csv FULL-REPORT.csv AUDIT TRAIL ## The row stays whole. Names, notes, CRM IDs, and lead-source fields remain connected to the address they came from. Delete stored files after processing stops or completes; provider-side retention is separate. [Read the data lifecycle](/data-handling) WHAT THIS WORKFLOW DOES — AND DOES NOT DO ## Useful evidence, without false certainty. ### Refresh List does - Inspect structure and duplicates before paid checks. - Separate valid, invalid, and unknown outcomes. - Preserve source-row context in result downloads. - Show credit reservations and reconciliation. ### Refresh List does not - Guarantee delivery, inbox placement, or sender reputation. - Establish consent or replace unsubscribe controls. - Invent a confidence score for an unknown result. - Claim an independent accuracy benchmark or certification. [Read the methodology and limitations](/verification-methodology) COMMON QUESTIONS ## Before you start. Does Refresh List verify an email during the free RefreshScan?+ No. RefreshScan checks file structure locally in the browser. Mailbox verification starts only in an authenticated workspace after you review and approve the verification quote. How are verification credits counted?+ Each completed unique address check uses one credit, whether the provider reports valid, invalid, or unknown. Duplicate and skipped rows are identified before verification and use zero credits. What happens to my spreadsheet columns?+ Refresh List keeps the original source-row relationship so names, CRM IDs, notes, and lead-source fields stay attached to categorized results. Does a valid result guarantee delivery?+ No. A result describes evidence available at the time of checking. Mailbox changes, sender reputation, consent, content, and receiving-system policies still affect delivery. What is the current file limit?+ The current release supports files up to 50 MB with no email-row cap per file. A credit balance can fund multiple separate files; it does not raise the per-file limit. READY TO INSPECT? ## START WITH THE EVIDENCE. [OPEN REFRESHSCAN](/tools/email-list-health-check) No subscription · Duplicates cost 0 · Paid credits never expire ## Sitemap - [All Public Pages](https://refreshlist.net/sitemap.md) - [Email Glossary](https://refreshlist.net/glossary) - [Read This Page And Use Interactive Features](https://refreshlist.net/how-it-works)