page.title=Use Rich Notifications to Keep Users Informed page.metaDescription=Use Android's notifications to keep users in touch with your content and services — even when the app is not in use. page.tags="" page.image=/design/media/notifications_pattern_anatomy.png @jd:body <div class="figure"> <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/notifications_pattern_anatomy.png"> </div> <p> The <a href="/design/patterns/notifications.html">notification system</a> allows your app to keep the user informed about events, such as new messages, upcoming calendar appointments, shared photos, and much more. They are a fundamental feature of Android that consumers check frequently to receive important notifications and status updates. Notifications are like a news channel that alerts the user to events as they happen and maintains a list of updates since last review. </p> <p> In addition to status updates from friends and family, notifications can also be used to help gamers know when a time-based action is completed or another player took their turn.</p> <p>Some game developers use notifications to alert users when a new limited time character can be won or a discount on an in-app purchase is available. </p> <h3>But Use Them Sparingly</h3> <p> Frequent notifications and spam notifications can turn users off, thereby risking your ratings and user base. Also sure to check our <a href= "https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/4430948">policies</a> to ensure you’re treating your user respectfully. </p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Use notifications sparingly — be sure any information presented is useful. Give users the option to turn notifications off. </p> <div class="headerLine"> <h2 id="related-resources"> Related Resources </h2> </div> <div class="resource-widget resource-flow-layout col-13" data-query="collection:distribute/getusers/notifications" data-sortorder="-timestamp" data-cardsizes="9x3" data-maxresults="6"> </div>