A Nudge is a notification with a reason.
I got tired of calling everything a notification. Some of them should not have gone out. A Nudge is the ones that earned it.
Talk to usThree layers
Web push
How the message is delivered.
Nudge
Why this message should be delivered.
EngageNudge
The boring part I could not buy: recommend, then measure.
Five questions before send
- 1Is this story worth notifying anyone about?
- 2Which readers are most likely to value it?
- 3Which readers should be protected from another interruption?
- 4Is now the right time?
- 5What outcome will count as value?
Push describes delivery. Nudge describes judgment.
Push
A message can be sent to everyone.
Nudge
A message earns its audience, or is deliberately withheld.
A Nudge should be
- permission-based
- relevant
- timely
- selective
- explainable
- editor-controlled
- measurable
- respectful of attention
Sometimes the smartest notification is the one you don't send.
Know when to nudge.
Know when a notification is worth sending.
The useful question is who should not get this one.