In short
A push notification is a short message an app sends to a user's phone or desktop, even when the app is closed. It can remind, inform or invite the user back. Well-timed notifications act as nudges: small prompts that make a helpful next step easier without forcing it.
Why it matters for apps
Most users do not open an app on their own every day. A relevant push is often the external trigger that starts a session, the first step in Nir Eyal's Hook model. Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein describe such prompts as nudges in their book Nudge.
- Progress-based nudges: "One more lesson to finish your weekly goal" works better than a generic "We miss you".
- Timing: Send when the user can act, for example around their usual activity time.
- Common mistake: Sending too many. Users who feel spammed turn notifications off, and you lose the channel.
- Design choice: Link every push to a concrete action and a deep link that opens the right screen.
Industry examples
Duolingo sends daily practice reminders that warn learners when their streak is at risk.
A step-tracking app sends a nudge in the evening when a user is 1,000 steps short of their daily goal (hypothetical).
Build it with StriveCloud
In the StriveCloud control panel you can create push notifications with a subject, content, a URL or app URL and an icon, and target them with recipient filters. Challenges also support scheduled nudges that are pushed to your app based on each user's progress, and tiers include almost-made and almost-lost notifications.
Want to try this? Explore app engagement software
Frequently asked questions
What is a push notification nudge?
A nudge is a short, timely push that suggests a helpful next step, such as finishing a goal, without forcing the user to act.
How many push notifications are too many?
There is no fixed number. Watch opt-out and uninstall rates, and send only messages tied to the user's own progress or interests.
What makes a push notification effective?
It is relevant to the user, arrives when they can act, and opens the exact screen needed to complete the suggested action.