When you import a list of email addresses into Hive via CSV, the file is automatically run through a validation service called NeverBounce.
How NeverBounce works
NeverBounce checks the deliverability of the email addresses in your file and flags any that are invalid. It then calculates an invalid percentage rate for the entire list:
If the invalid rate is below 4%: The list will be successfully imported into Hive.
If the invalid rate is 4% or higher: The import will be blocked. You’ll need to clean your list before trying again. One option is to sign up for NeverBounce directly to clean your data.
Why this matters
Protecting your email deliverability is crucial. If you import and email a list with a high number of invalid addresses, you’ll experience excessive bounces. This can harm your domain reputation and make it harder to reach inboxes in the future. Running lists through NeverBounce ensures your account is set up for long-term success.
Best practices
We recommend cleaning all CSV files before uploading them to Hive to minimize risk.
If you frequently manage large or older lists, consider using a list validation service on a regular basis.
Even valid emails can become outdated over time, so it’s good practice to keep a close eye on your inactive subscription segment in Hive.
After import
Once your file passes validation and is successfully imported, your new contacts will appear in your Contact List within about 30 minutes.
What to do if your email list fails validation
If your email list fails validation, don’t worry—there are a few quick steps you can take to improve it. We recommend using a service like NeverBounce to clean your list efficiently.
Or try adjusting your import strategy:
Import a single bulk CSV file rather than multiple smaller ones. This can help improve the overall validity rate by balancing out any pockets of invalid addresses.
Alternatively, import in smaller batches to help isolate problematic segments. If you end up needing to use NeverBounce, this approach makes it easier to identify and clean only the affected portions of your list.