Push notification - what is it and what are its characteristics?
For business
28 July 2025
If you have a smartphone, you probably associate push notifications. For some they annoy, for others they arouse interest. One thing is for sure - nobody cares. This is why push notifications are used by many websites, online shops and apps. Find out how to limit their number and why you look forward to some.
Push notifications on the phone can be overwhelming. Nowadays, more and more smartphone apps are sending news notifications up to several times a day. You can change their frequency and amount in your phone settings. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that with some apps, push messages are sent once in a while and with the best offers or information. This is the case with the InPost Mobile app - you mainly get notifications about your parcels.
When downloading a new app, you don't have to agree to all the default functionality. Find out what push notifications are on FB, Instagram and other apps and how to use them with your head.
Push notifications - what are they and what are their characteristics?
Don't know what push notifications are? Perhaps you don't just associate their name. If you use a smartphone, you have to deal with them every day. They come in the form of banners displayed on the phone screen and, in most cases, are also announced by a short sound. Unanswered ones are reminded in the form of a badge pinned to the app icon. It is also possible to set them up on a computer.
Push notifications are most useful in any instant messaging. They inform you when a new message arrives, so you can reply to it immediately. Push messages also make use of apps that are not used for communicating with others, such as shopping apps. They inform you of new offers, discounts or price drops on observed products. In this way, they encourage customers to buy. Push messages are also sent to your phone by apps to which you have subscribed. They remind you to make a payment or install an update and inform you of news. The longer you have been their customer, the more the notifications are tailored to your needs. 
What is the significance of a push notification?
In theory, a push notification only serves to inform the recipient of the arrival of a new event - a message, an offer, a like or a follower. In reality, app developers thus encourage interaction and more frequent use of their programme. In sales apps, this method of communicating with consumers directly translates into an increase in orders. Social media, on the other hand, earns money from the time users spend browsing posts interspersed with advertisements.
There is more and more talk about what happens in our brain when we receive a notification. Anyone who has ever waited impatiently for a message probably knows how much excitement we feel when it arrives. We treat every notification as a reward, which involves a dopamine release in the brain and pure pleasure. Hence the addictive potential of social media and phones. This is worth bearing in mind. 
How are push notifications displayed?
Push messages are among the most difficult to bypass. This is confirmed by those who also use other available forms of notification, such as SMS or email. Most often, three forms are selected in the default settings to attract the recipient: banners, badges and a beep. They appear when the screen is locked and unlocked. If you do not receive the notification immediately, a red badge will hang on the app icon to remind you of the pending message.
How do I enable push notifications? Currently, when you download a new app, you are always asked if you want to receive them. If you have previously deactivated them, you can reactivate the function from within the app or in your phone's settings. The specific scheme of action depends on which operating system you have installed. You can enable or disable Android push notifications by going to "Settings" -> "Notifications" -> "App settings". On an iPhone, you will enter the "Notifications" category directly from the main settings menu.
In the system, you can configure which applications you want to receive notifications from and determine their form. You don't necessarily have to opt for all three. It is a good idea to put some restrictions on the annoying apps.
How to disable push notifications step by step?
You can also ask the app to stop sending you push notifications altogether. How do you disable this option? Simply click on the name of the specific app in your phone settings. At the very top, you will see the "Enable notifications" bar highlighted in green. Slide it to the left to deactivate notifications.
Want to turn off notifications from all apps? A quick and easy solution is 'Do Not Disturb' mode. On most phones, you can turn it on with a single button. Adding certain people or apps to exceptions will ensure that notifications from them still arrive. Personalise your settings and enjoy only the most important notifications.
Choose InPost Subscriptions for businesses and send parcels at a fixed price.
Take one minute to leave your contact details and start sending parcels from as low as 11.89 PLN*.
- One contract for courier and Paczkomat shipments
- Free courier pickups
- Express delivery
- Price guarantee for the duration of the contract
- Fuel surcharge included
- Dedicated post-sale support
* Net price per Paczkomat shipment in the Subscription 600 plan.
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