How to Stop Receiving Junk Mail: Your Complete Guide

We’ve been there, with those mailboxes and email inboxes, full of junk mail that seems endless. Be it physical junk mail or spam in the form of email, this barrage of unwanted messages can feel overwhelming. 

In this blog post, we’ll tell you how you can minimize or eliminate unsolicited mail. From signing up for the Do Not Mail list to removing yourself from specific mailing lists, here's how to stop junk mail effectively.

What Is Junk Mail and Why Is It Problematic?

Before we get into how to cut down on junk mail, let’s quickly go over what it actually is. Junk mail is any kind of advertising you didn't ask for and probably don't want, showing up in your mailbox or inbox. That includes things like:

• Physical junk mail like catalogs, credit card offers, and promo flyers stuffed into your mailbox
• Email spam, such as random sales emails, newsletters you never signed up for, or automated messages that don’t matter to you

Besides being annoying, junk mail creates unnecessary clutter, wastes paper, and sometimes even raises privacy concerns. Nobody wants their info floating around so that they can get more spam.

If you're a business trying to avoid having your emails end up as junk, check out our top tips to avoid the spam folder.

Let’s talk about how to clean it up.

How to Stop Junk Mail – 5 Proven Methods

Now that you know what junk mail is, let’s get to the action steps! Here's how you can stop junk mail from taking over your life:

1. Sign Up for the 'Do Not Mail' List 

Perhaps the most effective way to minimize junk mail is by registering with the Do Not Mail list. This service enables you to stop receiving junk mail from many companies. Several countries offer these services, such as:

• Direct Marketing Association (DMA) in the U.S.
• Mail Preference Service (MPS) in the UK

Signing up for these services will remove your address from marketing lists and reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.

If you're in the U.S., Amerilist also provides an Opt-Out option that helps you manage your preferences and reduce unsolicited mail.

2. Opt-Out of Credit Card Offers 

Credit card and insurance offers can flood your mailbox. To stop receiving these, opt out of pre-approved offers by visiting:

• OptOutPrescreen.com (U.S.)
• Choice.com.au (Australia)

These sites help control junk mail and unsolicited offers for credit cards and insurance by enabling you to opt out from receiving them. Additionally, you might want to understand CAN-SPAM compliance and how it protects your right to opt out of certain types of email and physical mail offers.

3. Use Mail-Blocking Apps for Digital Junk Mail 

Just like physical junk mail can accumulate in your home, digital junk mail or spam can pile up in your inbox. To prevent spam email: 

• Use spam filters provided by your email service provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook).
• Consider using third-party applications to unsubscribe from unnecessary mailing lists , such as Unroll.me.

If you're managing an email campaign, knowing what counts as a spam trigger can also help keep your messages from getting filtered. Learn about potential spam phrases that can hurt your deliverability.

4. Unsubscribe from Email Lists 

Many promotional emails allow you to opt out via a link at the bottom of the email. If you’ve signed up for newsletters or alerts, and you no longer find them useful, unsubscribe directly from those email lists.

Here’s a pro-tip: if you no longer want to click “unsubscribe,” over and over, try a service like Unroll.me. It allows you to manage and unsubscribe in bulk, which can save you a lot of time.

5. Return Mail as Undeliverable 

If you continue to receive mail from organizations you have not requested, you can mark it as “Return to Sender” or “Undeliverable” and send it back. That makes the company stop sending you junk mail.

What Else Can You Do to Minimize Junk Mail?

In addition to using the Do Not Mail list and opting out of unneeded lists, here are a few more ways to cut down on junk mail:

• Opt-Out of Catalogs: Many retailers will continue sending catalogs unless you tell them to stop. Visit their websites and check for an unsubscribe option.
• Check Your Settings on Shopping Websites: Review your settings on e-commerce sites like Amazon or eBay. Opt out of receiving promotional emails or catalogs.
• Remove Your Address from Public Databases: Want to stop your personal information from being used to send you junk mail? Talk to some data brokers about how to get your name deleted from their lists.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Once you sign up for the Do Not Mail list, you may be able to start seeing results in a few weeks. But if you stay on top of your unsubscribe requests and opt-out, your junk mail will start dwindling.

If you're new to marketing, understanding the basics of direct marketing can also help you recognize what kind of promotions are most common — and what to avoid signing up for.

And for those wondering whether buying opt-in lists is worth it or contributes to junk mail problems, read our blog: Are Opt-In Email Lists for Sale Worth Buying?

Conclusion

Receiving junk mail is a hassle that affects many of us, but with the right actions, you can regain control. You’ll receive less invasive mail if you go on the Do Not Mail list, stop accepting credit offers, and sign up for tools that let you stop email spam.

Start today with AmeriList’s opt-out option and begin experiencing a cleaner, quieter mailbox – both digital and physical!