How Notifications Work
Stay informed with in-app alerts, message badges, and browser push notifications
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Overview
TheOtherBoard keeps you in the loop with multiple notification channels so you never miss an important update. Whether it's a new message, a review, or a boost expiring, you'll know about it right away — or whenever you're ready to check.
In-App Notifications
In-app notifications are the primary way TheOtherBoard keeps you updated. They appear inside the site itself — no browser permission needed.
The Bell Icon
On desktop, you'll see a bell icon in the top-right area of the navigation bar. On mobile, a small red dot appears on the Menu button at the bottom of the screen when you have unread notifications.
When you have unread notifications, a red badge appears on the bell showing the count (up to "9+"). This count updates automatically in the background — you don't need to refresh the page.
The Notification Dropdown
Tap the bell icon to open the notification dropdown. Each notification shows:
- A colored icon indicating the notification type (message, review, boost, etc.)
- A title summarizing what happened
- A short description with more detail
- A timestamp showing when it occurred
Unread notifications are highlighted with a subtle background color so you can spot them quickly.
Notification Types
New Message
Someone sent you a message or replied to your conversation.
Review Update
A new review was posted about you, or a review you wrote was approved.
Boost Update
Your boost session started, is about to expire, or has ended.
New Favorite
Someone added you to their favorites list.
Reference Update
A reference was requested, shared, or approved.
System Notice
Platform updates, account alerts, or subscription status changes.
Interacting with Notifications
Tap the bell icon to open the notification dropdown. It shows your five most recent notifications.
Tap any notification to mark it as read and go to the related page (for example, tapping a message notification opens that conversation).
Use "Mark all read" at the top of the dropdown to clear all unread badges at once.
Tap "View all notifications" at the bottom of the dropdown to see your full notification history.
Message Notifications
Messages have their own separate notification system with a dedicated badge, so you can always see at a glance whether someone is waiting for a reply.
The Message Badge
Next to the bell icon in the navigation bar, you'll see a message icon (speech bubble). When you have unread messages, a badge appears on it showing the total count of unread conversations.
How the Badge Updates
Real-time polling
The unread count refreshes automatically in the background every 30 seconds while you're on the site.
Tab awareness
Polling pauses when you switch to another tab to save resources, and catches up immediately when you come back.
Instant updates on read
When you open a conversation and read messages, the badge count updates right away without needing to refresh.
Message Dropdown
Tap the message icon to see a quick preview of your most recent conversations. Each entry shows the sender's name, avatar, the last message preview, and an unread count. Tap any conversation to jump straight into it, or tap "View all messages" to open your full inbox.
Browser Push Notifications
Push notifications let you receive alerts even when you're not actively browsing TheOtherBoard. They appear as popup notifications from your browser — just like notifications from other apps.
What Push Notifications Look Like
When enabled, you'll see a small popup from your browser (or a notification on your phone's lock screen if you've added the site to your home screen). Each notification includes a title, a short message, and tapping it takes you directly to the relevant page.
How to Enable Push Notifications
Go to your settings page — Provider Settings or Client Settings, depending on your account type.
Select the "Notifications" tab from the sidebar.
Scroll down to the "Browser Push Notifications" section.
Tap the "Enable" button. Your browser will ask for permission — tap "Allow" when prompted.
You'll see a confirmation message and the button will change to "Disable," meaning push is active.
How to Disable Push Notifications
To stop receiving push notifications, go back to the same settings page and tap the "Disable" button in the Browser Push Notifications section. Your subscription will be removed immediately.
Notification Preferences
You have full control over which notifications you receive and how. Preferences are managed from your account settings page.
Where to Find Preferences
- Providers: Go to Provider Settings and select the "Notifications" tab
- Clients: Go to Client Settings and select the "Notifications" tab
Email Notification Controls
You can toggle individual email notification categories on or off:
- Message emails — When someone sends you a new message
- Review emails — When you receive or are mentioned in a review
- Reference emails — When references are requested or shared
- Boost reminders — When your boost is about to expire (providers only)
- Plan alerts — Subscription and payment notifications (providers only)
There's also a master "Disable All Email Notifications" toggle that turns off everything except password reset emails. You'll still receive in-app notifications.
In-App Notification Controls
Separately from emails, you can control which types of notifications appear in your bell icon dropdown:
- Message notifications — New message alerts
- Review notifications — Review-related updates
- Boost notifications — Boost status changes (providers only)
- Reference notifications — Reference requests and approvals
- Subscription notifications — Payment and plan changes (providers only)
Tips for Managing Notifications
Mute What You Don't Need
If favorite notifications or boost alerts aren't useful to you, turn them off in settings. Fewer distractions means the important ones stand out more.
Enable Push for Urgent Alerts
If you rely on quick responses (especially for messages), enable push notifications so you get alerted even when you're not on the site.
Use Email as a Backup
Keep email notifications on for the categories that matter most, like messages and reviews. They serve as a safety net if you miss the in-app alert.
Review Preferences Periodically
Your needs may change over time. Check your notification settings every now and then to make sure they still match how you use the platform.
Common Questions
Go to your settings page (Provider Settings or Client Settings), find the "Notifications" tab, and scroll to the "Browser Push Notifications" section. Tap "Enable" and allow notifications when your browser asks. That's it — you'll start receiving push alerts immediately.
If you previously denied notification permission, your browser remembers that choice. To fix it, click the lock icon (or site settings icon) in your browser's address bar, find the "Notifications" permission, and change it from "Block" to "Allow." Then refresh the page and try enabling push notifications again from your settings.
First, make sure you're logged in — notifications only work for authenticated users. Then check your notification preferences in your settings page to make sure you haven't accidentally disabled the type of notification you're expecting. If in-app notifications aren't appearing, try refreshing the page. The badge updates automatically, but a refresh ensures the latest state.
The bell icon shows general notifications — reviews, favorites, boost updates, references, and system alerts. The message icon (speech bubble) is exclusively for unread conversations. They track completely separate things, so you might see a count on one but not the other.
There are two ways: tap any individual notification in the dropdown to mark it as read (and navigate to the relevant page if it has a link), or tap "Mark all read" at the top of the dropdown to clear everything at once.
Yes. Email and in-app notifications have completely separate controls. You can enable message emails but disable message in-app alerts, or any other combination. Configure each one independently from the Notifications tab in your settings.
Want to customize your experience?
Head to your account settings to fine-tune exactly which notifications you receive and how. Take control of your inbox and your alerts.
Account Settings Guide