Trigger-Based Push Notifications: When to Send to Get Maximum Clicks
When is the best time to send push notifications? This question concerns marketers and business owners because even the highest-quality content can go unnoticed if it arrives at the wrong time.
According to research by Push.Express, the timing of push notifications affects CTR (click-through rate), conversion, and user engagement just as much as the text or visual design. Some notifications work best right after app installation, while others perform better after several days or even weeks.
In this article, we will cover:
- Which push notifications are the most effective?
- When exactly should you send push notifications to increase the likelihood of clicks?
- How many notifications per day are optimal?
Which Push Notifications Are the Most Effective?
The most frequently asked question: is there a universal push notification that works equally well for all users? Unfortunately, the answer is no. The same push text can produce completely different results depending on the timing and sequence within a notification funnel.
Sending Time vs. CTR Comparison
As shown in the table, push notifications sent 5 minutes after installation had a CTR of 6.462% and 11.4%, while the same notifications sent 5 days later performed significantly worse (1.174% and 0.645%).
👉 Conclusion: The effectiveness of push notifications depends on the timing and their position in the sequence.
Best Time to Send Push Notifications
One of the key rules for successful push notifications is to send them at the right time. If a message reaches a user when they are most engaged, the likelihood of a click and desired action increases several times.
Which Push Notifications Work Best?
Based on analytics data, we have identified optimal time intervals for sending different types of trigger-based notifications.
1. Welcome Push (0-5 minutes after installation)
📌 What is it? The first notification a user receives after installing the app.
📌 Why is it needed? To introduce the app, offer a quick bonus, or assist with onboarding.
📌 How to use it?
✅ Greeting + Short Instruction ("Thank you for installing! Check out your first reward 🎁")
✅ Simple Call-to-Action ("Open the app and claim your bonus!")
💡 Example: "Welcome! 🎉 Your first reward is waiting in the app! Open it now and start winning!"
2. Auto-Push (1 hour after installation)
📌 What is it? A reminder if the user hasn’t completed the desired action.
📌 Why is it important? One hour after installation, users might get distracted, and this push helps bring them back.
📌 How to use it?
✅ Additional Motivation ("Have you explored all our features?")
✅ Reminder of benefits ("You forgot to use your bonus!")
💡 Example: "We have a special offer 🎁 for you, but it’s only available today! Check it out now!"
3. Auto-Push After Registration (0-2 minutes after sign-up)
📌 What is it? A push notification sent immediately after successful registration.
📌 Why is it important? Helps complete the onboarding process and encourages the first action.
📌 How to use it?
✅ Registration Confirmation + Next Step ("Thank you for signing up! Now take your first step.")
✅ Reminder of an incomplete action ("Complete your profile and get a bonus.")
💡 Example: "You're almost there! Complete your registration and get extra bonuses! 🎯"
Best Time of Day for Push Notifications
Apart from trigger-based moments, it's essential to consider the time of day when users are most active.
📌 Additional Tip: Always send push notifications based on the user's local time!
How Often Should You Send Push Notifications?
Another key question: how many push notifications should you send per day?
- Too few, and they might go unnoticed.
- Too many, and they could annoy users.
Push Frequency vs. Performance
👉 Conclusion: The optimal frequency is 2-3 push notifications per day.
Key Takeaways
✅ Send push notifications at the right time, considering the user's local time.
✅ Use trigger-based push notifications: welcome messages, reminders, and personalized offers.
✅ Optimal frequency: 2-3 push notifications per day.
A well-planned trigger-based push strategy can significantly boost CTR and conversion rates! 🚀