The API uses an algorithm that looks at the email address submitted for validation and determines whether there are alternative email addresses that are more likely that the one supplied. If there are, the API can return up to 8 did_you_mean suggestions (although, the most common scenario is that one suggestion is returned).

The table below provides suggestions examples.

Email address submitted for validation did_you_mean suggestions
jane_doe@yahooo.com jane_doe@yahoo.com
jane,doe@hotmail.com jane.doe@hotmail.com
johndoe2gmail.com johndoe@gmail.com
john.doe@al.com john.doe@aol.com

Note that for performance purposes, the API does not validate email addresses before they are supplied as suggestions.

Suggestions help correct syntax errors or typos in domain names for the email address submitted for validation. However, the API may return suggestions even if the email address supplied is valid. The presence of suggestions does not relate to the validity of the email address. Suggestions are supplied when they are more likely to be the intended email address than the original.