Lead validation happens before qualification: it checks that a lead is real, accurate and usable. Marketing directors and executives use validation criteria to protect sales time and to keep marketing numbers honest.
Core validation criteria
| Criterion | Check | Fail example |
|---|---|---|
| Real person | Name and role look genuine | "Test Test", gibberish |
| Valid email | Verified deliverable; business domain | Bounce, disposable or role-only address |
| Valid phone | Working number, right country | Disconnected or fake |
| Company exists | Website loads, registered business | No web presence |
| ICP fit | Industry, size, geography match | Student, competitor, wrong region |
| Not duplicate | Not already in CRM or with an open deal | Existing customer re-submitting |
| Consent / lawful basis | Recorded source and permission | Bought list with no basis |
| Intent signal | Action that shows interest | Downloaded a careers PDF |
What marketing directors should report
- Raw leads vs validated leads
- Validation failure reasons by source
- Validated lead → SQL rate by campaign
Automate the boring part
Email and phone verification, duplicate detection and domain checks can run automatically on every new lead. Human review is for edge cases. See verify your email list and phone line checker.
Agree definitions with sales
Write the criteria down and have sales sign off. Disputes about lead quality usually come from undefined criteria.
Validate leads before outreach with built-in email checks and phone checks (working, mobile or landline).
Start free — no card neededor claim up to 3,000 FREE credits with a paid planValidation tools included in every package:
Basic
$9.99/month
11,500 credits a month
+ 1,000 FREE credits
- About 261 done-for-you leads
- or 88 AI website previews
- All features included
Pro
$39/month
50,000 credits a month
+ 1,500 FREE credits
- About 1,136 done-for-you leads
- or 384 AI website previews
- All features included
Premium
$79/month
105,000 credits a month
+ 3,000 FREE credits
- About 2,386 done-for-you leads
- or 807 AI website previews
- All features included
Frequently asked questions
What is B2B lead validation?
Checking that a lead is real and usable (genuine person, valid email and phone, existing company, ICP fit, no duplicate, lawful basis) before qualification or outreach.
What's the difference between lead validation and qualification?
Validation confirms the data is accurate and usable; qualification judges whether the lead is likely to buy.