A notification is a short alert that an app or website shows on your device to tell you something happened, such as a new message, a delivery update or a reminder. A push notification is sent from a server to the device even when the app is closed, via the platform's push service.
Why it matters
Notifications drive engagement for developers and distraction for users, so control matters. Operating systems let you allow, silence or block notifications by app and category, and web browsers ask permission before a site can send them. Reducing noisy alerts is among the simplest ways to manage screen time. For developers, push messaging uses services on iOS and Android and, on the web, a service worker.
Example
A web push request in the browser:
Notification.requestPermission().then((p) => {
if (p === "granted") {
new Notification("Order shipped", { body: "Arrives Friday" });
}
});The browser shows a permission prompt first, and the user can later revoke it in site settings.
Common mistakes
- Asking for notification permission immediately on first visit, before the user sees any value.
- Sending marketing alerts in the same channel as critical ones.
- Leaving every app allowed, which makes important alerts harder to notice.
Related
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