Personalization Beyond "Hello {{firstName || "there"}}!"

Personalization in notifications goes beyond simply using a person's name, as the real impact comes from sending messages based on user actions and timing them appropriately. The text discusses five tiers of personalization, ranging from basic name usage to advanced predictions of user needs. While using a person's name can create a feeling of familiarity, it doesn't significantly drive user engagement or action. Companies that truly see results focus on action-based triggers and contextually timed messages, which are more effective than mere segmentation. These strategies don't necessarily require complex machine learning but rather effective event tracking and logical decision-making to send fewer, more relevant messages. The text emphasizes that the most successful teams prioritize relevance and timing over hyper-personalization, aiming to improve user engagement by delivering notifications that meet users' immediate needs.