# Push Notifications

We strongly recommend using push notifications for recommendations that advise an "immediate" or time-sensitive action. This delivery method allows users to interact with the advice directly from their device's lock screen or notification shade, making them highly effective for driving timely engagement.

<figure><img src="https://2791588365-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fkz3AVy8mukfhOsBy0Lvo%2Fuploads%2Fvn7juIrf6lnRHg3EsSBy%2FLow-solar-generation-forecasted-MOOST%20(DR).png?alt=media&#x26;token=53ad8e56-8388-4e98-b5bb-c1dc1efe1cf5" alt="" width="188"><figcaption><p>Example Push Notificaiton</p></figcaption></figure>

## **Style and Implementation**

Your push notifications' overall design should adhere to the style guides of the respective operating systems:

* **Android**: [Notifications developer guide](https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/notifications)
* **iOS**: [Human Interface Guidelines for Notifications](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/notifications)

***

## **Best Practices**

### **Use Expandable Options**

Always utilize the OS's built-in expandable notification feature. This ensures that longer recommendation messages can be viewed in their entirety directly from the OS notification center.

### **Provide Actionable Buttons**

Define notification actions that allow the user to interact immediately.

### **Include a "Stop Notification" Action**

We strongly advise that at least one defined action be of the "STOP NOTIFICATION" type. This empowers the user to immediately opt out of receiving similar recommendations in the future, which is crucial for a positive user experience.

### **Define the Primary Action (Tap)**

The primary tap action (tapping the notification body itself) should be carefully considered. You have two main implementation approaches:

1. Simple Implementation: The tap action guides the user to your app's main notification center or the main overview view.
2. Advanced (Recommended) Implementation: The tap action deep-links the user directly to the relevant screen configured for that specific recommendation. While this requires more implementation effort, it provides a superior and more seamless user experience.

### Deliver Timely and Contextual Notifications

Send notifications when they are most relevant to the user's current situation or immediate needs. Sending a recommendation about a local store closing *after* it's already closed will lead to frustration.