Push Notifications: How They Work & Why They Matter

Hey 👋, I'm back with a new blog post after a long break!

This past week, I’ve been diving deep into integrating push notifications into a mobile app. If you've ever wondered how they work and why they’re so effective, this post is for you!

What Are Push Notifications?

Push notifications are short, clickable messages that appear on a user’s device—whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. They can be triggered by various events, such as app updates, reminders, personalized offers, or breaking news.

Unlike emails or SMS, push notifications don’t require users to open an app or website to receive updates, making them a powerful tool for real-time engagement.

How Do Push Notifications Work?

Push notifications rely on both client-side and server-side technologies. Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

1. User Subscription – When a user installs an app or visits a website, they are prompted to allow push notifications. Their consent is required to receive notifications.

2. Push Service Registration – Once the user opts in, the app or website registers the device with a push notification service, such as:

   • Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for Android

   • Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) for iOS

   • Web Push Protocol for web browsers

The service then returns a unique device token, which acts as an identifier for sending notifications.

3. Sending Notifications – When the backend system wants to send a notification, it makes a request to the push notification service, including the device token, message content, and optional metadata (such as priority or expiration time).

   Here’s an example of sending a push notification via Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM):

POST  https://fcm.googleapis.com/v1/projects/myproject-b5ae1/messages:send
Content-Type: application/json
Authorization: Bearer ya29.ElqKBGN2Ri_Uz...HnS_uNreA

{
   "message":{
      "token":"bk3RNwTe3H0:CI2k_HHwgIpoDKCIZvvDMExUdFQ3P1...",
      "notification":{
         "body":"This is an FCM notification message!",
         "title":"FCM Message"
      },
      "android":{
         "notification":{
            "icon":"stock_ticker_update",
            "color":"#7e55c3"
         }
      }
   }
}

4. Delivery & Display – The push notification service delivers the message to the user’s device. The client-side app or browser processes the message and displays it in the notification center.

5. User Interaction & Analytics – When a user interacts with a notification, apps can track engagement metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and user behavior.

Popular Use Cases for Push Notifications

Push notifications are versatile and can be used in various industries, including:

• E-Commerce: Alert users about sales, discounts, or abandoned cart reminders.

• News & Media: Deliver breaking news updates or trending articles.

• Healthcare & Fitness: Send reminders for medication, workout schedules, or health tips.

• Finance & Banking: Notify users of account updates, transactions, or fraud alerts.

• Social Media: Inform users about messages, mentions, or friend requests.

Push notifications, when used strategically, can enhance user engagement, boost retention, and drive conversions.

Have you implemented push notifications in your app? What challenges did you face? Let’s discuss this in the comments!