Evolution of Junk Mail

Junk mail, although often considered a nuisance, has its roots in the evolution of the postal service and marketing strategies. Following the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, the USPS looked to increase revenues by incentivizing direct mailers through cheaper pre-sorted rates, leading to a significant rise in junk mail quantities over the years. With marketers targeting specific demographics using data analytics, the USPS relies on junk mail for revenue, with around 59 billion pieces delivered in a year.