The NCOALink database is based on information submitted to the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) from individuals, families, and businesses who are changing their place of residence or business location.
Addresses on file are standardized and appended with the most recent forwarding addresses. Since approximately 18-20% of the households and businesses in the United States move each year, the NCOALink service is increasingly valuable in reducing the amount of undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail.
It is important to note that not all Service Providers can provide the same level of service. Data quantity differs based on license level. Only Full Service Providers receive the full 48-month data file while Limited Service Providers receive an 18-month data file. Peachtree Data only provides NCOALink at the Full Service Level, ensuring that our customers are receiving the most comprehensive and complete NCOALink services available. Additionally, the NCOALink database is updated weekly under direct license from the USPS.
On average the full NCOALink file contains 160 million permanent change of address records.
When possible, people or businesses who move multiple times within a 48 month period are “Linked” or “chained” to ensure the latest address is furnished when an NCOALink match is obtained.
For example, consider an individual in your database with an address in Florida. In 2003 that person filed a COA with the USPS, and moved to California. Then in 2004 the same person filed another COA with the USPS and moved to Georgia.
In 2005 you send your database for NCOALink processing. As your database is processed the individual move from Florida to California to Georgia is “Linked” together. The new address returned to you is the current address in Georgia, without you knowing the person moved to California for a year!
This example illustrates another point: you should process your databases through NCOALink on a frequent and regular schedule. Depending on your mailing schedule or database needs this could be anywhere from once a month, to every three, six or twelve months.
In 2005 the NCOALink system replaced the NCOA, or National Change of Address system.
Tags: ncoalink, ncoa, national change of address, move update, usps, First-Class Mail, Standard Mail
