Direct mail has a digital companion. USPS Informed Delivery gives you grayscale images of your incoming mail each morning before it hits your mailbox, plus real time package tracking, all in your inbox or mobile app.
Whether you are checking what is coming or looking to amplify campaigns, this free consumer service bridges physical mail and digital engagement. Below, we cover how it works, what you can access, and how businesses turn previews into measurable touchpoints.
USPS Informed Delivery emails grayscale images of incoming letter size mail each morning, usually by 9 AM local time. It also surfaces package tracking updates in the same email so you can see what is on the way before you check your mailbox.
As mail moves through USPS processing facilities, automation equipment scans the front of each envelope and flat. Those scans become digital previews that typically reflect mail arriving that day or within the next few days.
You can view the same previews in the USPS mobile app or on the website, which is useful when you are expecting something important or want to plan your day.
The daily digest shows grayscale images of letter size and flat mail processed through USPS automation equipment. You can click thumbnails to view larger images. Scans do not include color or the back of a mailpiece, but they are clear enough to identify the sender and what the piece might be.
Not every item appears in the preview. Hand sorted mail, pieces outside automation specs, and some specialty formats may not be scanned. A piece can still arrive even if it does not show up in the digest.
For marketers, USPS offers an Informed Delivery campaign feature that lets you attach interactive content to a mail preview. In the daily digest, recipients can see a representative image and a ride along link that points to a landing page, offer, or help content. This creates an extra digital impression before the mail arrives and a way to measure engagement.
Your Informed Delivery dashboard combines mail previews and package tracking in one place. You will see expected delivery dates, tracking numbers, and status updates for USPS packages. You can enable notifications so you know when a package is out for delivery or delivered.
Informed Delivery stores mail and package images for up to seven days, giving you a rolling archive of recent deliveries. This helps you confirm what arrived earlier in the week or reference an important piece. After seven days, images are removed. If you need a longer record, save the images before they expire.
The dashboard shows your daily mail preview at the top and package tracking below. You can filter by type, view past digests, and manage notification preferences from the same screen.
USPS designed Informed Delivery with accessibility in mind, including screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and alt text in email digests. You can also choose text only emails if that works better for you.
To sign up, you complete identity verification that confirms you live at the address you register. USPS uses a combination of knowledge based questions and address validation so only authorized users can access previews. Additional steps may apply for shared or business addresses.
All communications use encryption across email, web, and mobile. USPS stores account information on secure servers with restricted access. You can add two factor authentication to your USPS account for an extra layer of protection.
USPS continues to expand Informed Delivery based on user feedback and technology improvements, including image quality, tracking features, and digest customization. Future enhancements may include richer previews and additional interactive options for mailers as USPS invests in automation and digital infrastructure.
We integrate with USPS Informed Delivery so you can add a representative image and ride along link to your campaigns, turning a simple preview into a clickable, trackable touchpoint. A recipient may see your postcard in the morning, click to a personalized page, and convert before the physical piece arrives. We handle the technical setup and USPS coordination so you can focus on creative and offer strategy.
With Lob, you can connect data through our API and Audiences to trigger mail based on real events, verify and correct addresses before you send, use our Print Delivery Network for quality and scale, and track CASS, production, and USPS events in one place. You can also add QR codes or personalized URLs so every piece ties back to clear outcomes and optimize timing, creative, and targeting for future campaigns.
This integration lets you bridge physical and digital channels and measure the impact across your funnel.
Book a demo and we will show you how Lob pairs Informed Delivery with automated direct mail, real time tracking, and analytics.
Frequently asked questions about informed delivery
FAQs
What is USPS Informed Delivery?
It is a free USPS consumer service that emails grayscale images of incoming letter size mail and shows real time package tracking. You can also view previews in the USPS mobile app or on the website.
How do I sign up?
Visit informeddelivery.usps.com and create a USPS account with your email and mailing address. Complete identity verification and you will begin receiving daily digests on the next business day.
Does it cost anything?
USPS offers Informed Delivery at no cost to consumers. Campaign features for mailers are set up as part of normal campaign workflows.
Which items appear in my preview?
Letter size and flat mail that passes through USPS automation equipment generally appears in your digest. Packages with USPS tracking also show in your dashboard. Items that are hand sorted or outside automation specs may not appear but can still be delivered that day.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes. USPS offers an iOS and Android app with Informed Delivery features. Log in with your USPS credentials to see mail previews and package tracking on the go.
How can my marketing team use it?
You can add a representative image and ride along link through the USPS campaign feature so recipients can click from the preview to your destination page. We automate the setup in Lob and provide delivery and engagement data so you can measure and improve results.
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