Quick answer
A push notification is a message that pops up on your phone from an app, even when the app is closed.
What it is
A push notification is a short message that pops up on a phone screen. An app sends it from a server. It shows even when the app is not open. iOS uses Apple's push service. Android uses Google's service.
Why it matters
Push notifications bring people back into an app. Good messages build habits. Too many or irrelevant messages cause people to uninstall the app.
How to use it
- Group users by what they do in the app.
- Send messages that match each user's habits.
- Always let users pick what they get notified about.
- Track how many users open the app after a notification.
Examples
- A news app sends a breaking-news alert to users who opted in.
- A fitness app sends a reminder when the user has not worked out in a week.