What Is the Technology Behind Push Notification Service?

Technology behind push notification service: Push notifications are the most effective way for any website or app to re-engage users, drive traffic, and increase conversions. But many people always have a question that when push notification services work, what process happens in the background? and What Is the Technology Behind Push Notification Service?

So let’s understand the technology stack behind the push notifications service and how AlertWise web push notifications service uses modern technology stack.

Technology behind push notification service

To subscribe to push notifications, one has to click on the “Allow” button and after doing this the subscriber becomes eligible to receive future notifications. This flow is known to everyone who knows even a little about push notifications.

But in reality, many people are not aware of the technical process that happens in the background. Today we are going to know about this background process.

1. The Core Components of Push Notification Technology

First of all, let us know what are the most basic and core components of push notifications, these components are the soul of the push notifications service.

1. Service Worker

• A JavaScript file that runs in the background of a user’s browser (even when the website is closed).
• It listens for push events and displays notifications.
• Without service workers, push notifications cannot function in web browsers.

2. Push Service (Browser’s Server)

• Every major browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) has its own push service that delivers messages.
• For example:
  • Chrome uses Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM).
  • Firefox uses Mozilla’s Push Service.
  • Safari uses Apple Push Notification Service (APNs).

3. Application Server

• The server that sends notification requests to the browser’s push service.
• This is usually handled by a push notification platform like OneSignal, VWO Engage, or AlertWise.
• The server authenticates, formats, and delivers messages securely.

2. How Push Notifications Work (Step-by-Step)

In this process, when a visitor subscribes and receives notifications, we can see the process details.

1. User Subscription

• The website asks permission to send notifications.
• If accepted, the browser generates a unique subscription ID (endpoint URL + keys) for that user.

2. Subscription Stored

• This subscription data is sent to the application server (push provider).
• The server saves it in a database for future campaigns.

3. Push Message Created

• Blogger or marketer writes a notification (title, message, link, icon).

4. Message Sent to Browser Push Service

• The application server encrypts the message and sends it to the browser’s push service (e.g., FCM or APNs).

5. Service Worker Receives It

• The push service delivers the notification to the subscriber’s device.
• The service worker wakes up and displays the notification on the screen.

6. User Engagement Tracked

• If the user clicks the notification, they’re redirected to the blog/website.
• Engagement (delivery, clicks) is logged in analytics.

Component	Role in Push Notifications	Example in AlertWise
Application/Website	The source that wants to send notifications to users.	Your blog, eCommerce site, or SaaS app connected to AlertWise.
Push Notification Service (PNS)	Middleware that routes messages from the app to the device. Examples: FCM, APNs, Web Push protocols.	AlertWise integrates with Web Push APIs to deliver notifications.
Service Worker	A script running in the background of the browser, enabling push notifications even when the site is closed.	AlertWise auto-installs service workers for supported browsers.
Push Server	Stores & forwards notifications to respective browsers/devices.	AlertWise manages its own secure push servers.
End-User Device	The smartphone, tablet, or desktop where notifications appear.	User’s Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or mobile browser.
Subscriber Database	Keeps track of who subscribed and their device/browser identifiers.	AlertWise stores encrypted subscription tokens.
Delivery & Tracking Layer	Ensures notifications are delivered, tracks open rates, clicks, and engagement.	AlertWise provides analytics dashboard.

3. Challenges in Traditional Push Notification Technology

Whatever Technology behind push notification service, some limitations have started coming up due to the changing market and modern technology. The ones given below are some of the limitations that come up in all the popular and notifications services running on old technology.

• In-App Social Media Browsers Block Service Workers
  • Links opened inside Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X (Twitter) apps don’t allow service workers.
  • This means push notifications can’t be triggered.
• Browser Compatibility Differences
  • Safari, Chrome, and Firefox handle push differently.
  • Developers need to optimize for each ecosystem.
• User Fatigue
  • Sending too many notifications can cause unsubscribes.

4. How AlertWise Improves on Traditional Push

All the traditional push notifications services in the market stop working whenever the traffic comes from social media in-app browsers. This directly means loss of subscribers which is come from social traffic.

This is where AlertWise brings innovation with its NativePush technology:

NativePush Redirects Social Traffic

• When a user clicks a blog link inside Instagram or Facebook, instead of staying stuck in the in-app browser, they’re redirected to the device’s default browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox).
• This enables service workers to run properly, allowing push subscriptions.

Universal Subscribe Link

• Bloggers can create a special subscription link and share it anywhere (Instagram bio, YouTube description, newsletters, even QR codes).
• When clicked, it prompts the user to subscribe immediately — without needing to visit the website first.

These technologies make AlertWise a next-gen push notification platform that extends beyond the limits of traditional services.

5. Example Scenario

Imagine you publish a blog post and share it on Facebook.

• With traditional push services:
  • The reader opens your link inside Facebook’s in-app browser.
  • No service worker = no subscription possible = lost reader.

• With AlertWise NativePush:
  • Reader is automatically redirected to Chrome/Safari.
  • They can subscribe instantly and get future updates.
  • Lost social traffic becomes a loyal subscriber.

From the detailed article we saw, we came to know that every push notification lies a sophisticated technology stack of service workers, browser push services, and application servers. All these systems provide the facility of sending real time notifications to bloggers and businesses.

But traditional push notification system faces some challenges, like social media traffic and browser limitations. Push notification service like AlertWise solves this problem with features like NativePush and Universal Subscribe Link, which does not result in loss of social traffic subscribers.

If you are a blogger, marketer or business person then you can increase the traffic of your business or blog by using a modern push notification service like AlertWise.