Insight

The ultimate guide to app notifications

Photo of Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith

digital marketing assistant

February 20, 2025

published

Ding! Another notification pops up on your phone. Some you swipe away without a second thought. Others grab your attention instantly. But what makes the difference? And if you’re developing an app, how do you make sure your notifications fall into the second category rather than the first?

Welcome to the world of app notifications - where a single ping can drive engagement, boost retention, or, if done wrong, send users straight to the uninstall button. In this guide, we’re breaking down the different types of notifications, their pros and cons, and which ones work best depending on your app’s purpose.

Let’s dive in.

 

Push notifications

Push notifications are the bread and butter of user engagement. These are messages sent directly to a user’s device, even when the app isn’t open. They can take many forms, from simple text alerts to rich media messages that include images, videos, or action buttons.

The pros:

  • Instantly grabs attention, making it ideal for time-sensitive updates or promotional offers.
  • Can be personalised based on user behaviour, preferences, or location, increasing relevance and engagement.
  • Works even if the app isn’t running, helping to maintain ongoing communication with users.

The cons:

  • Overuse can lead to notification fatigue, where users either ignore or disable them entirely.
  • Requires explicit permission from users, meaning they must opt in before receiving messages.
  • If not well-timed or relevant, they can feel intrusive and frustrate users, potentially leading to app uninstalls.
push notifications on iphone

When to use:

  • E-commerce apps: Flash sales, restock alerts, and abandoned cart reminders to bring users back to complete purchases.
  • Travel apps: Flight changes, check-in reminders, and location-based recommendations for smoother travel experiences.
  • Media apps: Breaking news alerts, live event updates, and new content releases to keep users engaged.

Push notifications are powerful but require careful planning. Sending too many can drive users away, while too few can make your app forgettable. The key is to find a balance and ensure every notification adds value.

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in app notification

In-app notifications

These messages appear while the user is actively using your app. They can take various forms, including banners, pop-ups, modals, or embedded messages within the app’s interface. Unlike push notifications, they don’t require user permission, making them an effective way to communicate updates without being intrusive.

Think of in-app notifications as a way to guide, inform, or nudge users while they’re already engaged with your app.

Best uses:

  • Onboarding tutorials: Help new users understand key features with step-by-step guidance.
  • Feature announcements: Highlight new functionalities to encourage exploration and usage.
  • Progress updates: Keep users informed about order statuses, goal completions, or achievements.

Why they work:

  • They don’t interrupt the user’s workflow, making them a seamless way to provide information.
  • They encourage users to take action in real-time, whether it’s completing a setup, trying a new feature, or confirming an order.
  • They help improve user experience by providing relevant information exactly when it’s needed.

However, they only work if the user is already inside the app - so they’re not effective for re-engagement. To maximise impact, pair in-app notifications with other types, like push notifications, to create a comprehensive communication strategy.

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SMS notifications

SMS notifications are text messages sent directly to a user’s phone number. Unlike push notifications, they don’t rely on an internet connection and tend to have extremely high open rates - often above 90%.

📌 Why SMS?

  • High visibility: People tend to check their text messages immediately, making SMS ideal for urgent alerts.
  • Reliable: No need for a smartphone or an internet connection - just a basic mobile phone with network access.
  • Great for transactional messages: Order confirmations, two-factor authentication (2FA), and security alerts work well via SMS.
sms notifications

🚨 When should you use SMS?

  • Banking & security: One-time passwords (OTPs), fraud alerts, and account activity notifications.
  • Travel & logistics: Flight delays, last-minute changes, delivery tracking, and driver arrival notifications.
  • Appointments & reminders: Doctor’s appointments, reservation confirmations, and service updates.

📉 Potential downsides:

  • Costs associated with sending SMS, especially for large-scale notifications.
  • Users may perceive SMS as intrusive if used for non-urgent communications.
  • Limited character space (usually 160 characters) means messages need to be concise yet informative.

While SMS is excellent for critical communications, it’s best to use it sparingly and only for messages that truly need immediate attention.

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email notification

Email notifications

Email remains one of the most versatile notification channels. While it lacks the immediacy of push or SMS, it excels in delivering detailed, informative content that users can refer to later.

🛠 Best uses:

  • Transactional updates: Receipts, invoices, shipping confirmations, and order details.
  • Periodic summaries: Monthly account statements, app usage reports, and personalised recommendations.
  • Marketing campaigns: Special offers, promotions, and newsletters.

Emails provide a structured format for delivering important information without overwhelming users. However, because inboxes are crowded, crafting compelling subject lines and ensuring emails add value is crucial for engagement.

Image source.

 

Badge notifications

You know those little red dots on app icons? Those are badge notifications. They indicate unread messages, pending tasks, or other actions that need attention.

🔴 Why they work:

  • A subtle, persistent way to remind users without disrupting their workflow.
  • Encourages app re-engagement by creating a sense of urgency or curiosity.
  • Gives users control over when to check them, making them less intrusive than push notifications.

🔴 Where they shine:

  • Messaging apps: Displaying unread messages.
  • Social media: Indicating friend requests, likes, or new interactions.
  • Productivity apps: Showing pending tasks, deadlines, or unread documents.

While badge notifications work well for keeping users engaged, they shouldn’t be the sole communication method. If overused, users might ignore them altogether.

badge notification
 

Final thoughts

Notifications are one of the most powerful tools for in-app engagement - when used correctly. The trick is to balance usefulness with respect for your users’ time and attention.

At The Distance, we know how to craft an effective notification strategy tailored to your app’s needs. Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, improve retention, or create an unforgettable user journey, we can help.

Want to make sure your notifications are working for your users, not against them?

 
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