Formulations comprising novel porous metal oxide particles and binder are particularly suitable for ink receptive coatings, e.g., for ink jet papers and films. The metal oxide particles used in this application have a porous structure that differs significantly from the nonporous silica colloids. The particles have a median particle size in the range of about 0.05 to about 3 microns and porosity such that when an aqueous dispersion of the particles is dried at least 0.5 cc/g of pore volume is from pores having a pore size of 600 Å or less. The particles also have a viscosity derived pore volume of at least 0.5 cc/g.