Informed Delivery is not available for businesses at this time, but consumers can sign up to begin receiving inbox notifications of their mailbox. The images are only of the exterior front side, and the mail will not be opened.
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Marketers who are keen to leverage USPS’ new services, however, should note that Informed Delivery is now restricted to letter-sized mail. The service is free for anyone in the service areas, though it is limited to individuals and families.
The service has been available in Northern Virginia since 2014 but will expand to New York City in 2016 with a planned expansion shortly thereafter.
Informed Delivery already builds on existing USPS technology.
The Postal Service announcement is somewhat ironic given how fervently the agency fought against Outbox, a startup with a similar business model. The process helps it sort mail, according to the postmaster general. But instead Mr. Donahoe told them, “You disrupt my service and we will never work with you…Digital is a fad”. It’s also a surprisingly good way to test your own self-worth and importance each morning, because if you receive no mail-if no one, not even your electric company, has anything to say to you-you’ll receive no e-mail.
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In 2013, the postal service acknowledged that it photographs every letter and package mailed in the US.
