What Is A Push Notification?

Date First Published: 23rd March 2024

Topic: Computer System

Subtopic: Computer Software

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 4/10

CONTENTS

How Do Push Notifications Work?
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Push Notifications
History

Learn about what a push notification is in this article.

A push notification is a message directly sent to a computing device without a specific request from the client. Push notifications do not require the application to be open and can notify users of a new message, reminder, promotion, update, or social media post in the background. Unlike other communication channels such as email, push notifications are designed to be viewed in real time and trigger immediate engagement.

How Do Push Notifications Work?

Push notifications come from a server, unlike pull notifications, which require the client to request information from a server. To get alerts, the end user often needs to opt in. This normally happens during the installation process, and the user is given the option to control alerts later on if they change their mind.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Push Notifications

The advantages of push notifications are:

Users can receive convenient updates in real-time, such as weather reports, news updates or flight information. This will prevent users from missing out on important information.
It doesn't require specific applications on a mobile device in order for messages to be received.
Businesses can directly communicate with users and encourage them to use the app via specific call-to-action messaging, which can increase click-through rates and promote products or offers.

The disadvantages of push notifications:

There can be privacy issues. Push notifications can allow confidential messages and social media alerts to be viewed by unauthorised users on the lock screen without needing to enter the passcode.
Push notifications can cause frequent wake-ups of the device, which can drain the battery when it is not being used.
It can overload users with irrelevant information, which can take the main focus off important messages.

History

Apple first introduced push notifications in 2009 with support for push notifications on iOS devices via the Apple Push Notification Service (APNs). App developers can send data to iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS devices due to the APNs.