Quick Answer
When a website or service asks you to verify your email address, it means they want to confirm that the email address you provided actually belongs to you. This is an important security step that helps prevent fake or fraudulent accounts from being created.
There are a few main reasons a website might require email verification:
- To confirm your identity and make sure you’re a real person signing up for an account.
- To send you important account notifications, updates or confirmations via email in the future.
- To prevent fake or bot accounts from being created with invalid email addresses.
- To ensure you have access to the email you signed up with and can receive any password reset emails if needed.
The verification process usually involves sending an email to the address you provided with a link or code that you need to click or enter on the website to confirm ownership of that email address. This shows the company that you have access to that inbox and it’s not just a fake email entered during signup.
How Does Email Verification Work?
When you provide your email address on a website or service’s signup form, here are the steps that typically happen behind the scenes:
- The website generates a verification link or code and associates it with the email you entered.
- An automated email is sent to your inbox with that unique link or code included.
- You open the verification email and click the link or enter the code on the website.
- Entering the verification link or code confirms your ownership of that email address.
- The website enables your account fully after successful verification.
The verification link often expires after a short period, usually a few hours or days, for security purposes. If it expires before you verify, you may need to have a new verification email resent to complete the process.
Some sites may do a “soft verification” initially just by sending an email and marking your account as verified if it doesn’t bounce back. But important services will require you to actively click a confirmation link to complete a “hard verification”.
Why is Email Verification Important?
Here are some key reasons why verifying your email is an important process:
- Confirms your identity – Prevents fake accounts and spammers from providing false email addresses.
- Enhances security – Verifying your email protects your account from being accessed by others.
- Improves communication – Ensures you receive messages from the service to your actual email inbox.
- Allows password resets – Confirms you have access to your email to receive password reset links if you forget your login details.
- Builds trust – Verification provides assurance to users that the service is legitimate and secure.
Services that don’t verify email addresses are more vulnerable to issues like phishing, spam, and users losing access to their accounts. That’s why most major websites and apps require email confirmation today during signup.
What to Do When Verifying an Email
When you receive an email verification message, here are some tips on what to do:
- Open the email directly by clicking the link provided rather than replying back to the message.
- Click or tap the verification link without delay before it expires.
- If prompted, copy and paste a verification code rather than typing it.
- If the link goes to a login screen, sign in to complete verification.
- Check your spam folder if you don’t see the email within a few minutes.
Be sure to verify your email using the exact same email address you provided during sign up. The verification link is unique and tailored to confirm ownership of that specific inbox.
Double check that the link comes from the actual website domain sending the verification request, not a suspicious third party domain. And avoid clicking verification links in emails from senders you don’t recognize, as it may be a phishing scam.
Troubleshooting Email Verification Problems
Here are some common issues people encounter during email verification and how to resolve them:
Verification email not received
If you don’t receive the verification message, try:
- Waiting a few minutes for the email to be delivered
- Checking your spam, promotions, or other folders
- Making sure you entered your email correctly during signup
- Trying to resend the verification email again
Verification link expired
If your verification link expired before using it, try:
- Resending a new verification email
- Going to your account settings to resend verification
- Contacting the service’s customer support for assistance
Entering verification code not working
If entering your verification code doesn’t work, try:
- Double checking that you copied the entire code correctly
- Trying the process again starting with resending the verification email
- Making sure you are on the correct website page to enter the code
Already verified but it’s asking again
If you already verified your email previously but it’s prompting you to verify again, try:
- Logging in to refresh the verification status
- Confirming the request is actually from the service and not a fake email
- Updating your email in your account settings to re-verify
Wrong email shows as verified
If an incorrect email displays as verified, try:
- Removing the wrong email in your account settings
- Adding the correct email and resending verification
- Contacting support to fix the error
Conclusion
Verifying your email address is an important step when creating an account on a website or service. It confirms you control access to that inbox, enhances security, and allows services to communicate with you properly.
To complete verification, simply open the confirmation email sent to your inbox, click the verification link or enter the code provided, and you should be all set. If you run into any issues, such as an expired link or problems entering the code, most services offer self-service options to resend a new verification message.