What is the term for alerts that inform users about new communications or upcoming tasks?

Notifications are designed specifically to inform users about new communications or upcoming tasks, making them a vital aspect of user experience design. They serve to enhance user engagement by providing timely updates that can encourage interaction with an application or service. For example, some notifications may alert users to new messages received, events, or reminders for tasks that are due, allowing users to manage their time effectively and stay organized.

While reminders focus on prompting users about tasks they need to complete, and messages refer to content that users can read or respond to, notifications encompass a broader category that includes various updates and alerts from different applications. Alerts are often related to urgent issues or errors, but notifications are typically used for ongoing user engagement and maintaining communication flow. This distinction emphasizes the role of notifications in enhancing user awareness and interaction within applications.