Introduction
Push notifications are still a great tool for traffic monetization and extra monetization. Statistics prove this. Networks note that the volume of push traffic has grown over the past year. This trend is likely to continue in the future. According to experts, the potential of push traffic will last for many years to come. In this article, we explain what push notifications are, what types exist, how they work, and how their use looks in different niches. We will show several cases of using push traffic, from which you can draw ideas for your campaigns. We will also look at the main push networks and the tools they offer for working with push traffic.
What are push notifications, and how do they work?
1.1. Definition and types
A push notification is a message delivered to users through browsers, mobile devices, or special interfaces within web pages (in-page). The main goal of push notifications is to quickly attract the audience’s attention to offers, news, or other actions without the need to use email or social networks. Push notifications have fewer restrictions than other types of advertising formats, making them suitable for most offers.
Types of push notifications:
- Browser push notifications
Sent via browsers on computers and mobile devices. The user subscribes to notifications through a pop-up window and then receives short messages containing text, images and links.
- Advantage: does not require app installation.
- Disadvantage: works only with user consent.
- Mobile push notifications
These push notifications are sent via mobile applications.
- Example: notifications about discounts, news, app updates.
- Advantage: higher engagement since messages are integrated into the app ecosystem.
- In-page push notifications
These are push notifications that appear directly on a web page, even if the user has not subscribed to them via a browser.
- Advantage: bypass browser push restrictions, increase the likelihood of coverage.
1.2. Examples of push notification usage in different niches
Push notifications are used in various verticals. Let’s look at how they work in practice:
- Gambling
- Used to bring users back to the platform, reminders about promotions or bonuses.
- Example: a message about a new tournament or free spins.
- Nutra
- Push notifications inform about discounts, new products, or special offers, increasing conversion on landing pages.
- Example: a “sale timer” reminder that creates a sense of urgency.
- E-commerce
- Used to inform about sales, abandoned carts, or assortment updates.
- Example: “20% discount today only! Don’t miss your chance!”
- Finance
- Suitable for sending notifications about promotions or new financial products.
- Example: “Special offer: apply for a credit card with an extended interest-free period by the end of the day!”
- Media
- Used to increase traffic volume.
- Example: “What everyone feared has happened! Read now.”
Push notifications allow working with a wide range of offers. Their effectiveness depends on proper audience segmentation, quality content, and correct campaign setup. An undeniable advantage of push notifications is their cost. It is much lower than any other type, meaning you can launch a campaign even with a modest budget.
Setting up push notifications: step by step
2.1. How to choose a network for sending notifications
Choosing a network for setting up and sending push notifications determines the success of your campaign. We recommend focusing on the following parameters:
- Subscriber base size. Push notifications differ from other types of advertising by a serious limitation—they are sent only to those who have specifically subscribed to them. This means your potential audience is limited to the users the network has collected. The more subscribers a network has, the more traffic is available, and the higher the chance of finding the right audience for your offer.
- Base quality. A large base can be collected in different ways, but we need real users who want to buy the offer. Therefore, pay attention to whether the advertising network filters its traffic and takes measures to reduce or eliminate bot traffic. It will also be useful to check the age of the users in the database. If your offer is for young users, but the network’s database consists of people aged 65+, starting work makes no sense.
- Targeting. Out of the entire subscriber base, you need to find the most relevant ones, so the more available push notification settings, the better. Browser language, device type, platform type – all these are excellent options that can help save the budget.
- Optimization methods. Tools like micro bidding and automatic rules help optimize push campaigns once you have received the first data. For example, micro bidding helps buy more quality traffic, while automatic rules save your time.
2.2. Setting up push notifications for different devices
The appearance of a push notification depends entirely on the device it is sent to. Moreover, display correctness is affected not only by the device type but also by the platform. Therefore, when working with push notifications, it is important to consider these specifics:
- Browser notifications or web push notifications. These messages appear in the browser window and even when tabs are closed. They can be displayed on any device with a browser. They are received by users who have agreed to receive them. When creating and setting up push notifications for websites, it is important to think about their appearance and correct display since each browser has its own requirements for image sizes and message main text. The title in all browsers can contain up to 30 characters, the icon is usually 192×192 in size, and the text is between 27 and 45 characters. The image may be cropped or not supported at all.
- Mobile notifications. Push notifications on Android or another mobile platform start arriving to the user after they install a mobile application. Since mobile devices have small screens, the most important part of a mobile push notification is the text; the user is unlikely to notice an image or icon. Therefore, when setting them up, special attention should be paid to a catchy title and text.
2.3. Notifications optimization: text, images, sending time
To increase CTR and conversions, push notifications must be optimized:
- Text. Short messages with a clear call to action work best. For example: “Today only! 50% discount on all orders!”
- Images. Use visual elements that stand out: contrasting colors, attractive design.
- Sending time. Analyze audience activity throughout the day. Metrics may vary depending on geography and user age. Note that this metric may differ for web push and mobile notifications, as users use different devices at different times.
2.4. Using segmentation to increase notification relevance
Segmentation significantly improves the results of a campaign.
Users under 45 (young push) and users over 45 (mature push) have different interests and motivation. They may be interested in the same offer, but their purchase triggers will be different. Therefore, they need to be segmented and shown different ads.
2.5. How to use A/B testing to increase CTR and conversion rates
A/B testing helps identify the most effective combinations of texts and images:
- Texts. Test different CTA formulations (“Buy now” vs. “Hurry up before midnight“) and images.
- Images. Try different options: stock images, self-taken photos, people, offer images. Special attention should be paid to testing push notifications for websites.
Step by step, combine different components and evaluate the results.
Push mailing: sources of push traffic
3.1. Comparison of popular networks: AdProfex, RichAds, PropellerAds
Choosing a network for push mailing is a key stage on the way to a successful advertising campaign.
3.2. AdProfex
AdProfex is an advertising network with a large volume of quality traffic and effective tools that make push notification sending truly efficient.
Features:
Volume: 200 mln impressions daily
Verticals: nutra, finance, news, gambling, dating, betting, sweepstakes, utilities, adult.
Pure traffic – the network’s anti-fraud solutions allow to completely remove bot traffic. If you still encounter bot activity while working with the network, you will receive compensation. This approach ensures maximum efficiency of push mailing.
Traffic groups by CR. The AdProfex system collects data on platforms, dividing them into three categories: premium, medium, and low. This classification is conducted separately for each region, as CR metrics can significantly differ depending on the geo. Advertisers, when setting up their campaigns, can choose which type of traffic (from which group) they want to purchase. This allows them to find the optimal balance between price and quality, depending on their goals. More than half of the platform’s users actively apply this setting to achieve the best results.
Transparent auction and proprietary ad inventory.
The “Network Volumes” feature allows advertisers to estimate the required budget for push notification sending even before launching a campaign.
More than 60 geos available: CIS, Asia, Eastern Europe, LatAm.
30+ tools for push mailing setup and optimization:
- Subscription day targeting – allows filtering users based on their subscription duration, whether one day or several months.
- Micro bidding. When analyzing campaigns, advertisers can highlight targets with good or poor results. This feature allows setting the click price based on certain factors such as country, telecom operator, platform, or time of day.
- Autoselectives. This tool automatically adjusts the click price based on the actual effectiveness of a platform, helping to avoid overpaying for traffic that does not lead to conversions.
- Retargeting. With retargeting, advertisers can create audiences from users who have already converted and set up new campaigns for them, increasing conversions without additional costs for attracting a new audience.
- Automatic blacklists. Automatic blacklists block traffic purchases from platforms that do not meet the required efficiency metrics, helping to avoid overpaying for ineffective traffic.
3.3. RichAds
RichAds is an advertising network with various formats. Overall, it offers tools similar to AdProfex: a large number of targeting options, automatic rules, and so on. It has a broader geographic reach, covering 200+ countries.
Features:
Audience volume: 450 million subscribers
Verticals: PIN Submit, Sweepstakes, Dating, Betting, Gambling, Crypto Offers, Binary Options, Desktop/Apps
Extensive subscriber base. The platform operates in more than 200 countries.
The advertising network provides a tool called Rich Push Insights. It allows advertisers to find out the average click cost for a specific GEO and device type before launching a campaign.
Available push formats – Push Ads Notification and In-Page Push Ads.
Minimum CPC: $0.003
3.4. PropellerAds
PropellerAds is a large advertising network that works with most advertising formats and verticals.
Features:
Volume: 600 million real users.
Campaign automation: the SmartCPC system adjusts bids in real time, reducing costs.
Verticals: Dating (except Adult), Sweepstakes, Gaming, Finance, eCommerce, Crypto, Software, Nutra, Betting, iGaming, Utilities.
The platform operates in more than 195 countries.
Push notifications for traffic arbitrage
4.1. Advantages of using push notifications in traffic arbitrage.
- Low cost. Push traffic is one of the most budget-friendly solutions in arbitrage. The cost per click (CPC) can start from $0.005, allowing effective hypothesis testing even with small budgets.
- High interaction speed and visibility. Push notifications are delivered to users instantly, and in arbitrage, speed is often a decisive factor. Due to their speed and direct access to the user, they ensure a high CTR.
- Overcoming banner blindness. Unlike traditional formats, push notifications are perceived as personalized messages rather than just another mass advertisement. This reduces users’ defensive reactions and increases engagement.
These features make push notifications a profitable and practical solution for work.
4.2. Examples of using push traffic in arbitrage with different offers
Many push networks post ready-made examples of creatives for arbitrage in their blogs. Let’s look at the most popular and effective approaches they recommend testing.
- Gambling. Effective approaches in this niche are based on success stories, bonuses, and finding loopholes to win: “Limited offer: $50 bonus for new players today!”, “7 casino winning secrets revealed! Find out now!”
- Nutra. Effective creatives in this niche focus on benefits: “Super discount 50% on a weight loss product! Hurry to buy before the end of the day!” It is important to emphasize the result and the limited-time offer.
- E-commerce. Direct calls to action, for example: “Discounts up to 70%! Free shipping only today!”,that motivate users to complete purchases.
- Finance. Push notifications are often used in traffic arbitrage to promote microloans and investment offers: “Start investing today: 10% profit per month guaranteed!” Such messages should be concise and specific.
- News. Push notifications are used to retain users and increase traffic: “Urgent! All details on the main event of the day.” They stir interest in the content and contribute to subscriber growth.
When preparing creatives, it is necessary to consider the restrictions set by push networks for arbitrage. Usually, everything is written in detail in moderation rules.
5. Arbitrage Cases with Push Traffic: Push Traffic for Extra Monetization, Gambling, Nutra, Adult, Dating. Examples of Successful Arbitrage Cases in Different Niches
5.1. Traffic Extra Monetization for Any Offer with Pushes: Case
All types of push traffic can be used in arbitrage both as an independent monetization tool and as an auxiliary one, for example, for extra monetization. For this, a push subscriber collector is installed on the pre-landing page. Thus, in one of AdProfex’s cases, push traffic brought an additional 245,000 ₽. During this campaign, 35,000 subscribers were collected, and each brought 7 rubles. This case is applicable to any offer since a push subscriber collector can be placed anywhere.
5.2. Push Traffic for Dating
Not all push networks are suitable for dating, as some prohibit this niche. Successful cases using push traffic in this niche are based on a personalized approach. Images imitating selfies and text calls for dating and communication show good results.
Here is an example of a push from a real case. This creative proved to be the most successful among the 10 tested. The campaign was run with mobile traffic.
After finding the ideal push text combination, only the girls’ photos were changed. Push traffic for dating mainly consists of a male audience. Therefore, the focus is precisely on this target audience.
5.3. Pushes in Gambling
Traditionally, several approaches work in gambling:
- Information about bonuses;
- Promises of 100% rewards;
- Demonstration of winnings by other people.
We will show several variants similar to those we used during the campaign. This is how it looks on the user’s screen.
We tested about 30 images of lucky winners who hit the jackpot.
Creatives that imitate the start of the game performed well, but they work best for those already engaged in gambling, meaning not for beginners.
5.4. Adult Push Notifications
For adult cases (a highly demanded arbitrage niche, it is worth mentioning), two approaches were used with push ads. The first targeted the male audience. Creatives with moderate nudity and intriguing hooks performed well.
The second targeted the female audience. Here, the creatives were more modest but a reference. The texts also contained intrigue.
In general, many adult-themed cases where push traffic was used revolve around such triggers.
6. Push Traffic for Any Verticals
How to Use Push Notifications to Attract Audiences
Push notifications are one of the most effective tools for attracting a target audience. Compared to other sources, push traffic for gambling, nutra, dating, adult, and finance is cheaper, making it attractive for testing and scaling offers. Here are the key principles of their use:
- Targeting by interests and geo
For gambling, it is important to focus on countries with a high interest in online games, such as India, Brazil, or Thailand. Nutra offers often show good results in countries with high purchasing power, such as the USA or Canada. Using push networks for gambling, targeting can be configured based on age, gender, and behavioral data.
- Message Personalization
“Get 100 free spins right now!” – Push notifications for gambling. For nutra, it is effective to highlight the product’s benefits: “50% discount on weight loss products! Hurry to try!“.
- Optimization of Sending Time
For gambling and nutra, it is important to send push notifications during peak activity hours of the target audience. For example, for players, this is in the evening, while for nutra buyers, it is in the morning or daytime.
Advantages of Push Notifications for Gambling and Nutra
- High Engagement Level.
Push traffic for gambling demonstrates a high CTR due to personalized offers. Gambling offers particularly benefit from the ability to quickly inform users about new bonuses or promotions.
- Low Cost per Click
Compared to other sources, push traffic for gambling and nutra is cheaper, making it attractive for testing and scaling offers.
- Bypass of Advertising Restrictions
Platforms like push networks for gambling allow ads to be placed while avoiding the strict requirements typical of Google or Facebook.
Push notifications can be an effective tool for working with traffic. Using properly configured push campaigns, you can significantly increase conversions and revenue. And if you need help, you can always contact support managers who will provide advice and answer any questions.
Register at AdProfex and start effectively monetizing push traffic today.