Direct Mail Notification vs. Informed Delivery

Direct Mail Notification and USPS Informed Delivery can support the same mailing, but they reach people in different ways. Informed Delivery is a USPS service that lets eligible enrolled users preview incoming mail in a USPS email or dashboard. Direct Mail Notification adds a separate branded email preview for available records matched from the mailing list, scheduled a few days before expected physical delivery.

The Short Answer

They are not either-or services. For qualifying Mail Movers campaigns, Direct Mail Notification includes a Primary Informed Delivery placement, creating a sequence that can include a pre-arrival email, a USPS preview, and the physical mailpiece.

Direct Comparison

Question	Direct Mail Notification	USPS Informed Delivery
Main experience	Separate branded pre-arrival email tied to a physical mailing	USPS email or dashboard preview of incoming mail
Audience	Available records matched from the campaign mailing list	Eligible recipients enrolled in USPS Informed Delivery
Timing	A few days before expected mailbox delivery	Around the USPS mail-visibility and expected-delivery window
Creative	Two mailpiece images, such as postcard front/back or envelope/insert	Mailpiece imagery plus optional participating-mailer campaign content
Operator	Direct Mail Notification platform	United States Postal Service
Relationship	Includes a Primary Informed Delivery placement for qualifying Mail Movers campaigns	Can operate as the USPS-native preview experience without Direct Mail Notification

USPS experience

What Is Informed Delivery?

USPS Informed Delivery is a free service for eligible residential consumers that provides a digital preview of incoming letter-size mail and package information. Participating business mailers can associate eligible campaign content and a target URL with a mailpiece.

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Matched pre-arrival email

What Is Direct Mail Notification?

Direct Mail Notification matches the campaign list at an individual, household, or address level and sends available matched recipients a branded preview before the mailpiece is expected to reach the mailbox. Mail Movers offers it nationwide with campaigns we print and mail.

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How the Two Work Together

Pre-arrival

A matched recipient may receive the Direct Mail Notification email.

USPS preview

An eligible enrolled user may see the mailpiece in Informed Delivery.

Mailbox

The physical postcard, self-mailer, or letter arrives.

Optional follow-up

A second notification may be sent when the piece is expected to have arrived.

No campaign guarantees that every mailing-list record will receive both digital experiences. Direct Mail Notification matching varies by list and selected level; Informed Delivery depends on USPS eligibility and recipient enrollment.

Audience Matching Is the Biggest Difference

Individual

Messages intended for a named person

Typically the narrowest matching approach

Household

Messages relevant to a household

May reach qualifying household-level contacts

Address

Campaigns focused on delivery-address or local coverage

Can create more matches and emails, which may increase the run charge

Direct Mail Notification, Informed Delivery, or MMScope?

Add a USPS digital preview for eligible enrolled recipientsStart with Informed Delivery campaign →Send a separate pre-arrival preview to matched mailing-list recordsStart with Direct Mail Notification →Add retargeting, call tracking, website-visit monitoring, or broader attributionStart with MMScope →

Direct Mail Notification Cost and Timing

Campaign minimum	1,000 direct-mail records
Minimum run charge	$100
Standard notification	Starting at $30 per thousand
Optional follow-up	$24 per thousand when ordered with the original campaign
Setup lead time	1–2 business days
Availability	Nationwide for campaigns Mail Movers prints and mails

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Direct Mail Notification is a separate matched email preview. USPS Informed Delivery is a USPS preview experience for eligible enrolled users. Mail Movers' Direct Mail Notification service includes a Primary Informed Delivery placement, so the two can work together.

No. The provider matches records at an individual, household, or address level. Match availability varies by list and selected method.

No. Informed Delivery depends on address eligibility and recipient enrollment in the USPS service.

No. Mail Movers offers the service as an add-on to campaigns it prints and mails.

Potentially. Direct Mail Notification focuses on the pre-arrival email and Informed Delivery sequence. MMScope is designed for broader omnichannel extensions and response measurement. A consultation can determine whether one or both fit the campaign.

The current setup lead time is one to two business days, but it is best to select the service while the direct-mail campaign is being planned so artwork, matching, postal timing, and reporting can be coordinated.

Yes. An optional Follow-up Notification can be ordered with the original campaign and sent when the physical piece is expected to have arrived. The current follow-up rate is $24 per thousand.

Which Option Fits Your Campaign?

Review your list size, mail format, timing, audience, matching approach, and measurement plan with a Mail Movers consultant before choosing.

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Sources: USPS consumer Informed Delivery and USPS Informed Delivery for business mailers.

Direct Mail Notification vs. USPS Informed Delivery