what is push notifications

Push notifications are messages that are "pushed" from a back-end server or application to a user interface, such as mobile applications or desktop applications. They are a powerful mobile-first communication channel thats used by every successful app today. Push notifications can consist of a title, a message, an image, and a URL, and can also include logos, emojis, and other elements. They are designed to be viewed in real-time and often trigger immediate engagement, conveying reminders, updates, promotions, and more. Push notifications can be targeted to segments of a user base and even personalized for specific app users. They can be used to convey messages of urgency, such as breaking news, current traffic conditions, or limited-time offers. Push notifications can be cloud-based or app-based and are built to work with a server that provides the notification. They can be sent to smartphone users via a mobile app, or via a web browser from a website to a users desktop or mobile device. Push notifications are usually used by applications to bring information to users attention, and they can transmit short notifications and messages, set badges on application icons, blink or continuously light up the notification LED, or play alert sounds to attract users attention.