SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is a vital standard for email transmission. It’s responsible for sending, receiving, and relaying email messages. Understanding how SMTP works can provide insight into its essential role in digital communications.

An SMTP server is a computer program that sends, receives, and relays emails. It ensures that outgoing emails reach their destination. When you send an email, it’s first sent to an SMTP server. The server then processes the email and routes it to the recipient’s mail server, which stores it until retrieved.