Brandwave

Lob vs PFL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PFL had more branded searches than Lob among direct mail marketing platforms worldwide. PFL had about 110,000 branded searches, while Lob had 600. PFL made up 79.8% of all direct mail marketing platform searches we track, and Lob accounted for 0.44%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about direct mail marketing platforms, Lob appeared in three of the four answers and PFL in none.

Among direct mail marketing platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PFL, about 183 searches for every 1 for Lob

PFL 110K searchesLob 600 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Lob, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, PFL in 0

Lob in 3 of 4PFL in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Lob, the only one of the two named

Lob first in 3PFL never named

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Top direct mail marketing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Lob was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. PFL did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Postalytics1st
  2. Lob2nd
  3. Click2Mail3rd
  4. PostGrid4th
  5. PostcardMania5th
  6. PFL–
  7. Sendoso–
  8. Reachdesk–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Postalytics4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Lob3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • PostcardMania2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • PostGrid2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Click2Mail2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • PFL0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Sendoso0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Reachdesk0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about direct mail marketing platforms

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Lob or PFL more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Lob and PFL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight direct mail marketing platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Lob and PFL among direct mail marketing platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for PFL, Lob. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPFLSendosoPostcardManiaReachdeskPostGridClick2MailPostalyticsLob
Oct 202590.6%3.6%2%1.3%1.3%0.72%0.3%0.14%
Nov 202577.4%8.5%4.6%3.8%3.1%1.6%0.75%0.32%
Dec 202584.5%6.2%2.8%2.3%1.9%1.5%0.67%0.24%
Jan 202676.1%8.3%5.5%3%3%2.4%1.1%0.49%
Feb 202689.6%3.6%2.4%1.3%1.3%1.1%0.47%0.23%
Mar 202685.5%5.2%3.4%1.9%1.9%1.2%0.68%0.27%
Apr 202685%5.1%3.4%2.3%1.9%1.5%0.52%0.33%
May 202687.4%4.3%2.9%1.9%1.6%1%0.57%0.31%
Jun 202679.9%7.2%3.9%3.2%2.6%1.7%0.94%0.46%
Jul 202685.5%5.1%2.8%2.3%1.9%1.5%0.67%0.3%
Aug 202689.4%3.6%2.4%1.6%1.3%1.1%0.47%0.21%
Sep 202679.8%7.2%3.9%3.2%2.6%2.1%0.73%0.44%

How has the Lob and PFL comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • PFL was ahead of Lob in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lob’s share of searches among direct mail marketing platforms worldwide moved from 0.14% to 0.44%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 470 to 600.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PFL’s share of searches among direct mail marketing platforms worldwide moved from 90.6% to 79.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 110K.

How did search popularity change for direct mail marketing platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, PFL lost share of searches among direct mail marketing platforms worldwide, from 89.4% to 79.8%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Lob worldwide rose 27.7% over 12 measured months, from 470 to 600 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lob’s and PFL’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Lob

2 branded search terms

  • lob api
  • lob direct mail

PFL

2 branded search terms

  • pfl
  • pfl direct mail

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among direct mail marketing platforms

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