What are in-app notifications

Forty-seven unread badges on your home screen, but the message that actually gets your attention is the banner sliding across the app you already have open. No permission prompt. No lock screen. Just a note inside the tool you are using right now.

That is in-app messaging at work. In-app notifications reach people during an active session, when they are already engaged with your product. Here is what they are and when to use them.

What are in-app notifications?

In-app notifications are messages displayed inside an application while the user has it open. They appear as banners, popups, badges, tooltips, or message centers within the app interface.

Unlike push notifications, in-app alerts do not require a separate permission prompt. They show up as part of the app experience itself. The user sees them because they are already inside your product.

Common in-app notification examples

In-app notifications take many forms depending on what you want the user to do next.

1. Onboarding tips

Guide new users through key features with step by step prompts that appear as they explore the app.

2. Feature announcements

Highlight a new tool or update with a banner at the top of the screen. The user can dismiss it or tap to learn more.

3. Activity alerts

Show when someone comments, likes, or interacts with the user's content. Social and community apps use these heavily.

4. Account reminders

Prompt users to complete a profile, verify an email, or update payment details before they can access a feature.

In-app messaging vs push notifications

In-app messaging catches users who are already active. Push notifications reach people who are away from the app entirely.

Use in-app notifications for guidance, upsells, and contextual tips during a session. Use push notifications to bring people back when they have not opened the app in days.

The two channels work best together. A push alert gets someone to open the app. An in-app notification guides them toward the action you want once they arrive.

For websites without a dedicated app, web push notifications fill a similar re-engagement role outside the browser session.

Frequently asked questions