I truly believe that the intention of each part of how news site and its respective pieces and parts is designed is to try to give the user the easiest way to get their news fast.
One aspect of this design—that is a big part of mobile use—is push notifications.
You’re probably asking, “What’s to design about push notifications?” They come up on your phone screen with the logo of the app you are getting them from. They say whatever the company wants you to know that moment. They’re easy to get rid of with the upward swipe of your thumb.
However, the way news organizations design their push notifications contributes to overall user experience and navigation on their site.
For example, some news push notifications you see on your phone. You swipe with your thumb on the notification to the left, and it takes you right to the story. The news apps that I have that do that are CNN, BBC and the Columbus Dispatch.
One aspect of this design—that is a big part of mobile use—is push notifications.
You’re probably asking, “What’s to design about push notifications?” They come up on your phone screen with the logo of the app you are getting them from. They say whatever the company wants you to know that moment. They’re easy to get rid of with the upward swipe of your thumb.
However, the way news organizations design their push notifications contributes to overall user experience and navigation on their site.
For example, some news push notifications you see on your phone. You swipe with your thumb on the notification to the left, and it takes you right to the story. The news apps that I have that do that are CNN, BBC and the Columbus Dispatch.
But these apps also have a downfall. If you go to your notifications after the initial breaking news one has been sent, you click on a story and the breaking news story that you may have wanted to read an hour later doesn’t exist. However, a warning message does pop up that says the news organization will bring the you news updates as the story unfolds.
Personally, I don’t like this because sometimes I don’t have time to read the whole story when a push notification is sent. However, I do like to go back when I have time to read the stories to see how the information unfolded.
Another finicky thing about push notifications is that when some are sent, the notification takes the user to the app, not the story. This doesn’t help user experience as the user is sent to search for the story on the app. The point of push notifications, I believe, is to take the user right to the breaking news or notification to find out more information.
Personally, I don’t like this because sometimes I don’t have time to read the whole story when a push notification is sent. However, I do like to go back when I have time to read the stories to see how the information unfolded.
Another finicky thing about push notifications is that when some are sent, the notification takes the user to the app, not the story. This doesn’t help user experience as the user is sent to search for the story on the app. The point of push notifications, I believe, is to take the user right to the breaking news or notification to find out more information.
I think the Arizona Republic (this could go for all Gannett news apps, too) does it right. When I click on a headline that I have received a push notification for, I get another notification that asks me if I am sure I want to proceed to the article. A user can click “view article” and it takes them there.
This is the best way to do it in my opinion. With the app for Kentwired.com, for example, I, as the site’s editor, can send push notification, but they don’t lead anywhere besides the app’s main screen, which has different sections for news, sports, opinion and TV. The Associated Press’s app does the same thing. How is anyone—especially a college student—supposed to know where to go if you don’t lead them right to the point.
I believe if done the correct way, push notifications can be effective, but they have to take the reader directly to the news of what they are being notified about.
This is the best way to do it in my opinion. With the app for Kentwired.com, for example, I, as the site’s editor, can send push notification, but they don’t lead anywhere besides the app’s main screen, which has different sections for news, sports, opinion and TV. The Associated Press’s app does the same thing. How is anyone—especially a college student—supposed to know where to go if you don’t lead them right to the point.
I believe if done the correct way, push notifications can be effective, but they have to take the reader directly to the news of what they are being notified about.