45 Real-Time Push Notification Templates

What if your app could influence users even when their phones are turned off or out of reach?
What if you could help your users form better habits, feel more prepared, and reduce their daily stress?
That’s the power of push.
You can think of push notifications as your app’s built-in “retention extensions.”
Simply put, retention is built on delivering value — so your product stays top of mind and becomes a habitual part of a user’s day.
Every push you send should be based on:

1. Having a reason to engage your users
2. Doing it at the right time, and
3. Doing it in a way that provides real value.

If you hit all three, your product will become an indispensable part of your user’s life.
But sometimes figuring out what to write and what images to use can stop you from pushing your best foot forward.
That’s why we put together this series of grab-and-go push notification templates that you can swipe and complete with copy, along with suggestions for rich media images, calls-to-action, and recommended triggers and timing. Each push notification template is designed for maximum engagement. 
Voila: ready-made retention.

Categories

Travel

1. Inform airline passengers of a gate change

BODY:
Heads up, [FIRSTNAME]!
Your gate for [FLIGHT NUMBER] has changed to [NEW GATE NUMBER].
CTA:
View Airport Map

• Image suggestion
  No image. Or, a simple graphic or GIF showing an arrow from “Point A” to “Point B”
• Trigger
  Immediately upon gate change

2. Share new flight or rental deals

BODY:
Desperately need a vacation? Get [DEAL/OFFER]
[COMPANY NAME] till [DATE]. ???
CTA:
Gimme a Break

• Image suggestion
  Photo of beautiful beach, with dashed outline of a person captioned “You Are Here”
• Trigger
  Within a day of deal or offer release

3. Suggest destinations for an upcoming holiday

BODY:
[NEARBY DESTINATION] is just [X] hours away, [FIRSTNAME]…
Treat yo’ self to a getaway!
CTA:
View Vacation Deals

• Image suggestion
  This Parks & Rec GIF
• Trigger
  Send two days before the weekend, when users will have time to plan a nearby vacation

4. Recommend a landmark, restaurant, or site visit when user arrives in a new city, state, or country

BODY:
Here’s what we recommend doing?, seeing ?, and eating ? for your first time in [CITY/STATE/COUNTRY], [FIRSTNAME] >>>
CTA:
Visit Like a Local

• Image suggestion
  GIF of hands with silverware digging into a delectable restaurant meal (ideally, the type of cuisine served in the user’s new location)
• Trigger
  Immediately upon user’s arrival in their new location. Could also be triggered by in-app purchase of deals, tickets, or offers in that location

5. Welcome user to a new country

BODY:
Welcome to [COUNTRY]! Say “[PHRASE]” when you need to
find the restroom ???
CTA:
More Common [LANGUAGE] Phrases

• Image suggestion
  Photo of restroom door with sign in the appropriate language
• Trigger
  Immediately upon user’s arrival in the country

5a. Welcome user to a new country

BODY:
Benvenuti a Roma, [FIRSTNAME]! ?? Here are the
phrases you need to get around:
CTA:
More Italian Phrases to Know

• Image suggestion
  Photo of St. Peter’s Basilica
• Trigger
  Immediately upon user’s arrival in the country

6. Help user pack for an upcoming trip

BODY:
Your trip is coming up, [FIRSTNAME]. This packing list has everything you need to have a fantastic time in [CITY/STATE/COUNTRY] ??
CTA:
Pack Smart

• Image suggestion
  Photo of open, immaculately packed suitcase
• Trigger
  3-5 days before user’s trip

7. Reference user’s local airport and suggest trips

BODY:
[AIRPORT CODE] just added low fares for [CITY]. ✈️  If you listen closely, you can
hear the city calling your name…
CTA:
Book Now

• Image suggestion
  Photo of a plane taking off. Or, photo of destination city skyline or main street
• Trigger
  As new fares are added

Shopping

1. Send a birthday offer or discount

BODY:
Happy birthday, [NAME]! Instead of cake, how about
[$ OR % DISCOUNT] off your next order? ? ?
CTA:
Claim My Discount

• Image suggestion
  Envelope with “Just for You” written on it
• Trigger
  On user’s birthday

2. Recommend related or complementary products based on order history

BODY:
Psst — If you liked [PAST PRODUCT NAME],
you’re gonna love what we picked out for you.
CTA:
Check It Out

• Image suggestion
  Image of recommended/curated product
• Trigger
  3-5 days before user’s trip

3. Send a holiday offer or discount

BODY:
Merry Christmas, [NAME]! ? Santa stopped by to leave you a [$ or % DISCOUNT] coupon code. Redeem it now — you deserve it!
CTA:
Claim My Discount

• Image suggestion
  Photo or graphic of winking Santa
• Trigger
  1 week before the holiday

3a. Send a holiday offer or discount

BODY:
Happy holidays! Here’s a little treat just for you, [NAME].
CTA:
Claim My Discount

• Image suggestion
  Photo of gift bag or wrapped present
• Trigger
  Any time ranging 1 week before holiday until day-of

4. Suggest a weather forecast-specific product

BODY:
Looks like rain this week! Stay dry with [PRODUCT NAME/CATEGORY].
You can thank us later ? ☔️ ?
CTA:
Shop [PRODUCT] | Browse [CATEGORY]

• Image suggestion
  Leather shoes getting soaked in a puddle. Or, GIF of umbrella opening
• Trigger
  3 days before the predicted weather event

5. Suggest an event- or holiday-specific product

BODY:
Need to get in the [HOLIDAY] spirit? This [PRODUCT NAME]’ll do the trick.
CTA:
Shop [PRODUCT CATEGORY]

• Image suggestion
  Image of product in question, ex. Superwoman Halloween costume
• Trigger
  1-2 weeks before the holiday, up until day-of

6. Let users know when a purchase has shipped

BODY:
Your order of [PRODUCT NAME] has shipped! ✔️ Our carrier eagle is winging
his way to you right this very moment.
CTA:
Track My Order

• Image suggestion
  Eagle mid-flight, with a Photoshopped brown shipping box dangling from its claws
• Trigger
  As soon as order ships

7. Post-purchase incentive

BODY:
?Boom!? [ITEM JUST PURCHASED] is yours. As a thank you, use code [CODE] to get [DISCOUNT % OR $] off your next [CATEGORY] order.
CTA:
Shop [CATEGORY]

• Image suggestion
  GIF of an explosion. Or, GIF of a kid ripping open a present
• Trigger
  Immediately after purchase

Food & Delivery

1. Announce the return of a limited item

BODY:
You dreamed it. We dared it. [ITEM NAME] is back — only until [DATE].
CTA:
Order Now. Or, Save My [ITEM NAME]

• Image suggestion
  Photo of limited-edition item
• Trigger
  Immediately when limited item returns

2. Update user on food delivery status

BODY:
Hiya [FIRSTNAME]! [DELIVERYPERSON NAME] just grabbed your order from
[RESTAURANT], so you’ll have it soon. ? ?
CTA:
Track My Order

• Image suggestion
  GIF of dog pawing at a Styrofoam takeout box
• Trigger
  Can be sent at multiple points during the food purchase and delivery process. Most important is letting the user know their food is on its way

3. Re-engage with a free item or discount

BODY:
Been a while, [FIRSTNAME]. You’re looking good! ? Snag yourself [DISCOUNT $ OR %] now with code [CODE] >>>>
CTA:
Heck Yes. OR Use Code Now

• Image suggestion
  Something like this meme
• Trigger
  After lack of user engagement for X days or weeks

4. Send weather-triggered invitations to order

BODY:
[FOOD ITEM] called. It wants you to know you don’t have to
weather this storm alone ? ? ❄️
CTA:
Let [ITEM NAME] Come to You

• Image suggestion
  Photo of food item (in this case, pizza)
• Trigger
  Immediately before or during weather event

5. Send event or environment-triggered invitations to order 

BODY:
Traffic is light right now! It’s the perfect time to
grab some grub ? ? ?  >>>
CTA:
Order Now

• Image suggestion
  Photoshopped image of giant takeout box on wheels
• Trigger
  Based on user data or behavior

6. Suggest holiday, time-of-day, or day-of-the-week triggers to order

BODY:
Ah, 1:34 PM, AKA International Taco O’Clock. ?
Don’t taco bout it, be about it, [FIRSTNAME]!
CTA:
Get My [ITEM NAME]

• Image suggestion
  Photo of food item (in this case, tacos)
• Trigger
  Choose a time trigger from peak user engagement times

Media & Publishing

1. Share new, relevant articles with users

BODY:
Wanna sound even smarter at parties? Catch up on the latest
[TOPIC USER HAS PREVIOUSLY READ/ENGAGED WITH] news >>>
CTA:
Read the Latest

• Image suggestion
  Featured photo from one of the recommended articles
• Trigger
  Triggered by lack of user engagement for X hours or days

2. Alert users when broadcasts are going live

BODY:
* clears throat * Heeey [FIRSTNAME], we’re going live!
Join for [EVENT NAME] in [X MINUTES].
CTA:
Tune In

• Image suggestion
  Photo of lit-up “On Air” sign
• Trigger
  Send just before going live, or as soon as the broadcast starts

3. Suggest a “Sunday” (or downtime) read of relevant articles based on past browsing history

BODY:
Ahhh, Sunday. Why not top off your coffee & curl up with these handpicked
[TOPIC USER HAS PREVIOUSLY BROWSED] headlines?
CTA:
Read for a Bit

• Image suggestion
  Photo of sock feet on a footstool or peeking out of bedcovers
• Trigger
  Triggered by day of week and/or user inactivity

4. Share breaking news in their location

BODY:
Welcome to [CITY/COUNTRY/COUNTY, [FIRSTNAME]!
See the latest headlines about [CITY/COUNTY/COUNTRY].
CTA:
See [CITY/COUNTY/COUNTRY] News

• Image suggestion
  Photo of the horizon line or a main street of the area in question
• Trigger
  Immediately upon user’s arrival in their new location

5. Ask user if they’d prefer headlines as they happen, or a daily digest

BODY:
Hey [FIRSTNAME]! Let’s set you up right. Do you want the news as it happens, or
a daily headline roundup? ??
CTA:
Tell Me Now! | Send Me a Roundup

• Image suggestion
  Photo of Now N’ Laters candy wrapper, or two buttons (one labeled “Now,” one labeled “Later”)
• Trigger
  Triggered by user activity or lack thereof within a week of installing the app

Entertainment & Ticketing

1. Alert users when tickets go on sale

BODY:
Heads up: Tickets to [EVENT NAME] just went on sale! ??
Grab yours before they sell out >>>
CTA:
Buy Tickets

• Image suggestion
  Photo of the performer/act in question
• Trigger
  As soon as tickets to an event the user is likely to enjoy go on sale

2. Help users find their way to an exit

BODY:
Heading back to your car now? Turn left when you leave the lobby.
Tap for more directions!
CTA:
Guide Me

• Image suggestion
  Preview of map with walking directions
• Trigger
  Send toward the end of a ticketed event, and/or a scheduled event on user’s calendar

3. Share last-minute ticket deals with nearby users

BODY:
Pssst [FIRSTNAME]. [XX] tickets to [EVENT OR ARTIST NAME] tonight just became available! Grab yours & be the #bestfriendever ?>>>
CTA:
Get Tickets

• Image suggestion
  Photo of artist, show, or performer in question
• Trigger
  As soon as last-minute tickets go on sale

4. Let users know when it’s their turn to play a game

BODY:
[FRIEND NAME] just took their turn for [POINTS SCORED] points!
You can do better than that, right?
CTA:
Play Now

• Image suggestion
  This GIF
• Trigger
  When opposing user takes a turn

5. Suggest spots to visit

BODY:
On your way to [CITY]? Make sure to hit up these
5 hot spots our editors picked out! ???
CTA:
Show Me

• Image suggestion
  Photo of the horizon line or a main street of the area in question
• Trigger
  When user’s geolocation approaches the given city

Music

1. Inform user of new catalog additions

BODY:
It’s not every day we get a brand-new record from [ARTIST].
Be the first to listen to [ALBUM NAME].
CTA:
Bump It

• Image suggestion
  Album art/cover
• Trigger
  When a new artist (in a genre that the user has indicated interest in) releases an album

2. Tie music suggestions to current events 

BODY:
Hit Play ▶️  on the perfect soundtrack for [EVENT] today, including
[USER’S FAVORITE ARTIST] & [USER’S FAVORITE ARTIST 2].
CTA:
Listen Now

• Image suggestion
  Photo of a crowd participating in the event in question (ex. baseball game, Election Day, Mardi Gras
• Trigger
  Day event begins

3. Tie music suggestions to user location

BODY:
Welcome to [CITY]! How ‘bout some hometown tunes — say,
[ARTIST FROM CITY]?
CTA:
Play Now

• Image suggestion
  Photo of suggested artist
• Trigger
  Geolocation

3a. Tie music suggestions to user location

BODY:
Welcome to the birthplace of jazz! How ‘bout a little Louis Armstrong? ??
CTA:
Play Now

• Image suggestion
  Photo of New Orleans skyline and/or Louis Armstrong
• Trigger
  Geolocation

4. Recommend a soundtrack based on the weather

BODY:
Today’s a scorcher ☀️☀️☀️ Chill out & cool off with this [GENRE] playlist
(and don’t forget your sunscreen)!
CTA(s):
Play Now. Or, Chill Out

• Image suggestion
  This GIF
• Trigger
  When temperature in user’s location is >80 degrees F

5. When user’s friends engage in-app

BODY:
Hey [FIRSTNAME], [FRIEND NAME] just liked “[SONG NAME]” by [ARTIST].
Wanna check it out?
CTA:
Judge My Friend’s Taste

• Image suggestion
  Photo of a model wearing headphones. Or, relevant friend’s profile picture + the album cover of the song they liked
• Trigger
  When user’s friend or connection takes an in-app action
  

6. Alert user of membership expiring soon

BODY:
Sniff… your [PRODUCT NAME] [TRIAL/MEMBERSHIP] is almost up. [BUY/RENEW] now or Paco the Kitten will be very sad. ?
CTA:
Save Paco, [BUY/RENEW] Now

• Image suggestion
  Close-up photo of wide-eyed kitten
• Trigger
  X days before user trial or membership expiration

7. Commemorate national day or month

BODY:
It’s [DAY/MONTH]! Here are our picks for artists who
[RELATE ARTISTS TO EVENT] >>>
CTA:
Listen Now

• Image suggestion
  Photo of one of the featured artists
• Trigger
  Day event or month-long commemoration begins

7a. Commemorate national day or month

BODY:
It’s National Rock N’ Roll Day! ? Listen to 5 artists who defined the genre >>>
CTA:
Listen Now

• Image suggestion
  Photo of one of the featured artists
• Trigger
  Day that event or month-long commemoration begins

Utilities/Productivity

1. Alert user to friend or coworker activity

BODY:
[OTHER USER NAME] just [ACTION TAKEN]. Tap for more.
CTA:
Open [APP NAME]

• Image suggestion
  Screenshot of app interface, with notification graphic and/or changed area highlighted
• Trigger
  Immediately when a friend or colleague takes action on a user’s shared list, board, or channel

2. Ask for a review

BODY:
Hi [FIRSTNAME], how’s [LAST ITEM PURCHASED] been treating you? Let other shoppers know by leaving a review. Your opinion matters ?
CTA:
Post My Review

• Image suggestion
  Graphic of 5 stars (or relevant rating system) followed by a question mark
• Trigger
  User has engaged with the app at least 3-5 times

3. Introduce users to a feature they haven’t yet tried

BODY:
Glad to see you’re getting so much mileage from [FEATURE OFTEN USED]! Might we recommend [UNUSED FEATURE]? It’s great for [BENEFIT].
CTA:
Try It Now

• Image suggestion
  In-app screenshot with suggested feature highlighted or circled
• Trigger
  Triggered by X days/weeks after installation, when user still has not tried the given feature

4. Help the user stay on track

BODY:
Want to log [ACTIVITY] for the past couple days? (You’ve been killing it. Don’t stop now!)
CTA:
Log My Wins

• Image suggestion
  In-app screenshot with suggested feature highlighted or circled. Or, photo of two hands high-fiving
• Trigger
  Triggered by lack of regular user action for X days

5. Motivate or inspire user based on holidays or calendar events

BODY:
Only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Be in that 8%.
[DO/TAKE SPECIFIC IN-APP ACTION] now. ?
CTA(s):
Do [ACTION] Now | Remind Me Later

• Image suggestion
  Photo of checklist with items checked off
• Trigger
  Immediately before holiday or event

6. Help user remember to-dos or unread messages

BODY:
Boop! ? “[MESSAGE CONTENT PREVIEW]…” is waiting for your reply. Want to get back to [SENDER NAME] now?
CTA(s):
Reply Now | Mark Read

• Image suggestion
  Graphic of envelope
• Trigger
  X hours or days after message received