Investigating Users' Digital Notification Strategies
Problem & Challenge
The primary function of notifications is considered to be the timely delivery of important alerts. Consequently, the delivery of unnecessary notifications at any given time can be distracting for users. This state of constant stimulation necessitates management strategies that are context-aware and can be controlled by the user. However, extent to which such strategies are implemented by users was unknown.
Work Process
In this qualitative study, we examined the psychological and behavioural patterns behind everyday notification management by conducting face-to-face interviews.
What did we do?
Research & Discovery
Research & Discovery
We investigated the disruptive effects of notifications and the behavioural brain responses under constant stimulation, utilising models such as Goal-Activation (Altman and Trafton). At this stage, we established a three-level notification management strategy: (1) App-level, (2) Within-app level, and (3) System level. We conducted our study based on a plan developed in light of our findings.
Interview Process
Interview Process
We conducted 45–60-minute semi-structured interviews with 10 participants aged 19–40. There were three topics we sought to address during the interviews; RQ1. How do users manage notifications across different devices and levels of control (system, app, and within-app)? RQ2. What motivations or ecological factors influence users’ choices in adopting or ignoring specific notification management strategies? RQ3. How do users perceive the effectiveness of these strategies in supporting their focus or their contextual goals? The interviews explored participants’ behaviours, device usage, notification settings and their ideal preferences for notification management. Thematic analysis was conducted after modelling this data.
Results | 6 Design Recommendation
Results | 6 Design Recommendation
As a result of the study, we proposed six fundamental design recommendations for developers. One of these recommendations was to bridge the information gap regarding the use of Focus modes on Apple devices. The study's findings demonstrated that (1) regardless of the context, an excessive number of notifications increases the user's cognitive load, causing notifications to lose their beneficial utility, and (2) users are often unaware that the notification management strategies they feel are lacking are already available embedded as settings on their devices. The results of this study have served as a valuable resource for both system designers and developers who manage notification frequency in their applications.
Key Insights
Identified core notification overload triggers and mapped user coping mechanisms. Synthesised qualitative insights into 6 actionable UX design recommendations that reduce cognitive fragmentation while preserving high-value transactional communications.
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