Glossary
What is a disposable email address?
A disposable email is a temporary address from a throwaway service, used to sign up somewhere without giving a real inbox. Many sites, including directories, block known disposable domains because they're linked to spam. For launches, a real, dedicated inbox on your own domain works better.
Why sites block them
Disposable domains are common in spam, fake reviews and abuse. Sites keep blocklists of these domains and reject sign-ups that use them.
Why they're a bad fit for launches
- Your submission may be rejected outright.
- You lose access to the account when the address expires.
- You can't receive approval emails, listing updates or review notifications.
- A listing tied to a throwaway address looks less trustworthy.
Better options
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| launch@yourdomain.com | Professional, under your control |
| Plus-addressing (you+launch@) | Easy filtering, works on many sites |
| Separate mailbox for launches | Keeps your main inbox clean |
Example
A founder's agent uses a temporary address on ten directories; six reject it. Switching to launch@ on her own domain, all ten accept, and approval emails arrive in one place.
FAQ
Are disposable emails illegal?
No, but many sites forbid them in their terms.
Does plus-addressing work everywhere?
Most sites accept it; a few strip or reject the plus.
Can I recover an account tied to a disposable email?
Usually not once the address expires.
How do sites detect disposable emails?
By checking the domain against maintained lists of known throwaway providers.
Is a free Gmail address OK for launch accounts?
It works on most sites; an address on your own domain looks more trustworthy and stays under your control.