Geo-Push: Location-Based Push Notifications
Overview
Geo-push notifications (location-based push) are automatic messages sent to customers when they physically enter a specific geographic area around your business location. These proximity-triggered alerts appear on customers' devices when they're nearby, encouraging them to visit and use their loyalty card.
What geo-push notifications do:
Send automatic messages when customers are within 100 metres (330 feet) of your location
Remind customers about your business when they're nearby
Drive foot traffic by catching customers at the perfect moment
Encourage spontaneous visits with timely proximity alerts
Work automatically without manual sending
Key characteristics:
Automatic: Trigger when customers enter your defined radius
Location-based: Uses GPS to detect customer proximity
Non-dismissible: Cannot be manually swiped away (iOS)
Repeatable: Customers receive notification every time they enter the area
iOS only: Currently only works for Apple Wallet on iPhone
This powerful feature turns nearby foot traffic into potential customers by reaching them at precisely the moment they're close enough to visit.
Before You Begin
Requirements:
Active Perkstar account with location features enabled
Physical business location(s) with address
Loyalty cards created and issued to customers
Customers with installed cards on iOS devices
Location permissions enabled on customer devices
Important limitations to understand:
⚠️ iOS only - Geo-push currently works only for Apple Wallet (iPhone), not Android
⚠️ Fixed 100-metre radius - Cannot be adjusted; set by system
⚠️ Unlimited frequency - Customers receive notification every time they enter area (no daily limit)
⚠️ Non-dismissible on iOS - Notification disappears automatically when customer leaves radius
⚠️ Location permissions required - Customers must allow location access for Wallet app
Plan limits:
Location availability depends on your account plan
Highest plan: Up to 10 locations per subaccount
Additional locations can be added for a fee after reaching limit
Understanding Geo-Push Technology
How Geo-Push Works
The customer journey:
Customer has your loyalty card installed on their iPhone (Apple Wallet)
Customer physically approaches your business location
Customer enters the 100-metre radius around your defined location point
iPhone detects proximity using GPS/location services
Geo-push notification appears on customer's lock screen automatically
Notification displays your message (e.g., "You're nearby! Visit us for 2X points today!")
Customer sees notification and is reminded of your business
Customer leaves radius → notification disappears automatically from lock screen
Technical operation:
Uses iPhone's location services and geofencing technology
Constantly monitors customer location in background (with permission)
Triggers notification when threshold crossed (entering radius)
Removes notification when customer exits radius (leaving area)
No manual intervention needed—completely automatic
Key Differences from Regular Push Notifications
Geo-push vs. regular push:
Feature | Geo-Push | Regular Push |
Trigger | Physical proximity (GPS) | Manual send or automated event |
Platform | iOS only (Apple Wallet) | iOS and Android |
Frequency | Every time customer enters area | Controlled by you/automation |
Dismissible | No (disappears when leaving radius) | Yes (customer can swipe away) |
Targeting | Location-based (anyone nearby) | Audience-based (all, segments, individuals) |
Radius | Fixed 100-metre radius | N/A |
Control | Set-and-forget (automatic) | Active management required |
When to use geo-push:
✅ Driving foot traffic from nearby customers
✅ Reminding customers of your location when nearby
✅ Encouraging spontaneous visits
✅ Promoting location-specific offers
✅ Capturing customers who may forget about you
When to use regular push instead:
❌ Detailed promotional campaigns
❌ Targeting specific customer segments
❌ Scheduled announcements
❌ Android customers
❌ Messages requiring customer action/response
Creating a Geo-Push Location
Step 1: Navigate to Locations Section
Log in to your Perkstar account
Locate the left-hand menu
Click "Locations" icon or menu item
The Locations screen opens, showing any existing locations
What you'll see:
List of any locations you've already created
Map view of your locations
"Add Location" button to create new geo-push
Step 2: Start Creating New Location
Click the "Add Location" button
A form appears with fields for location details and geo-push message
You'll configure:
Location name
Physical address
Exact map position
Associated cards
Geo-push message
Step 3: Enter Location Name
Name your location for internal reference:
Locate the "Location Name" field
Type a descriptive name for this location
This name is for your reference only (customers don't see it)
Naming best practices:
For single-location businesses:
Simple names: "Main Store," "Our Shop," "Downtown Location"
For multi-location businesses:
Specific names: "Downtown Toronto Store," "North Vancouver Café," "Airport Terminal 3"
Include identifiers: "Store #101," "Location - Main Street," "West Side Branch"
Examples:
"Coffee Shop - 5th Avenue"
"Downtown Restaurant Location"
"Mall Kiosk - Westfield"
"Main Street Storefront"
Why naming matters:
Helps you manage multiple locations
Makes it clear which geo-push belongs where
Easier to edit or delete specific locations later
Step 4: Enter Location Address
Set the physical address:
Locate the "Location Address" field
Start typing your address
Auto-populated suggestions appear as you type
Select the correct address from the dropdown suggestions
Click on the auto-populated field below the address bar to confirm
Address entry tips:
Be specific:
Include street number, street name, city
Example: "123 Main Street, Toronto, ON"
More detail = more accurate location
Use auto-suggestions:
System pulls addresses from mapping services
Selecting from suggestions ensures accuracy
Manual addresses may not geocode correctly
Verify the address:
Check spelling and details before confirming
Wrong address = wrong geo-push location
Customers won't receive notifications at incorrect location
What if your address doesn't appear:
Try alternative formats (abbreviations, full names)
Use nearby landmark or intersection
Manually adjust pin on map (next step)
Contact support if address is very new or unlisted
Step 5: Adjust Pin on Map
Fine-tune exact location:
After selecting an address, a map view displays with a pin marking your location.
View the pin on the map (shows where geo-push will trigger)
Verify pin position matches your actual business location
Drag the pin if adjustment needed:
Click and hold the pin
Drag to exact location on map
Release to set position
Zoom in for precision if needed
Verify the 100-metre radius will cover your entrance/storefront
Why pin placement matters:
Accurate placement:
Ensures customers receive notification at optimal time
Too far = they see notification but aren't close enough to visit easily
Too close = they may miss notification before entering your business
Centred on entrance = best results
Consider geography:
Place pin at main entrance/storefront
For malls/complexes: Place near your specific store, not building centre
For street locations: Centre of your storefront
For parking lots: Consider where customers park relative to entrance
The 100-metre radius:
Covers approximately 1 city block
Large enough to catch approaching foot traffic
Small enough to be relevant (they're actually nearby)
Cannot be adjusted—set by system
Step 6: Select Associated Cards
Choose which loyalty cards will trigger this geo-push:
Locate the "Apply to Cards" field
Click the plus (+) sign or "Add Cards" button
A card selector appears showing all your loyalty cards
Select the card(s) you want to associate with this location:
Check boxes next to relevant cards
Multiple cards can be selected
Confirm selection
Why card association matters:
Single-location business:
Associate your one card with your location
All customers with that card get geo-push when nearby
Multi-location business:
Each location can have different cards
Downtown card → Downtown location
Airport card → Airport location
Allows location-specific targeting
Multiple cards per location:
If you have VIP and Standard cards, both can trigger at same location
Different customer tiers receive geo-push based on their card
Useful for location-specific campaigns for different audiences
Example scenarios:
Coffee shop chain:
3 locations (Downtown, Mall, Airport)
3 separate cards (one per location)
Each location associated with its specific card
Customers only get notifications for their registered location
Restaurant with VIP programme:
1 location
2 cards (Standard and VIP)
Both cards associated with same location
All customers (Standard and VIP) receive geo-push when nearby
Step 7: Compose Geo-Push Message
Write the message customers see when nearby:
Locate the "Push Message" textbox
Type your geo-push message
Keep it relevant to proximity (they're nearby!)
Focus on immediate action/visit
Message guidelines:
Character limits:
Optimal: 60-80 characters
Maximum effective: 100 characters
Longer messages may truncate on lock screen
Proximity-relevant messaging:
Acknowledge they're nearby
Encourage immediate visit
Create urgency or value
Effective geo-push examples:
Simple and direct:
"You're nearby! Stop in for a free coffee upgrade ☕"
"We're right here! Show your card for 2X points today 🎉"
"Hello neighbour! Visit us now for a special surprise 🎁"
Offer-based:
"You're close! Come in for 20% off in the next hour ⏰"
"Nearby? Enjoy a complimentary appetiser today 🍴"
"Walking by? Free cookie with any purchase today 🍪"
Reminder-style:
"Don't forget about us! You're almost here ☕"
"We're just around the corner—come see us! 🎉"
"You're nearby—perfect time to use those rewards! 🎁"
Time-sensitive:
"You're here! Lunch special ends in 1 hour 🍴"
"Nearby? Happy Hour starts now! 🎉"
"Close by? Flash sale—next 30 minutes only! ⏰"
What to avoid:
❌ Generic messages: "Welcome!" (doesn't leverage proximity)
❌ Long explanations: "Thank you for being a loyal customer. We'd like to invite you to..." (too long)
❌ Irrelevant content: "Check out our website" (they're nearby—encourage visit!)
❌ Complex instructions: "To redeem, show your card and mention this offer within 48 hours..." (too complicated)
Emoji usage:
One emoji maximum
Relevant to message (☕🍴🎉🎁)
Placed at end of message
Test to ensure it displays on iOS
Step 8: Save and Activate
Finalise your geo-push location:
Review all fields:
✓ Location name entered
✓ Address selected and confirmed
✓ Pin positioned correctly on map
✓ Cards selected and associated
✓ Message written and proofread
Click the "Add" button (or "Save")
Location is created and activated
Location appears in your Locations list
What happens after adding:
Location is immediately active
Customers with selected cards will receive geo-push when entering radius
Location displays on map with pin and radius indicator
You can edit or delete location anytime
Managing Geo-Push Locations
Viewing Your Locations
In the Locations section:
List view: Shows all locations with names, addresses, associated cards
Map view: Visual representation of all locations with pins
Details: Click any location to view full configuration
Editing Existing Locations
To modify a geo-push location:
Navigate to Locations section
Find the location you want to edit
Click "Edit" or click on the location name
Make your changes:
Update location name
Change address or pin position
Modify associated cards
Revise message content
Save changes
Important: Card update requirement
When you edit or delete a geo-push location, changes don't apply immediately to customer devices. Cards must be updated before new settings take effect.
How cards update:
Customer makes a transaction (stamp/points added or redeemed)
Customer receives a regular push notification (manual or automated)
Customer toggles automatic updates off/on in Wallet settings
Time passes and iOS auto-updates the card (varies)
What this means:
Customer may still receive old geo-push message after you delete/change it
Once their card updates, they'll see new behaviour
Plan changes in advance if time-sensitive
Consider sending a manual push to force card update for all customers
Deleting Locations
To remove a geo-push location:
Navigate to Locations section
Find the location to delete
Click "Delete" or trash icon
Confirm deletion
Location is removed from list
Deletion behaviour:
Customers with updated cards will no longer receive geo-push at that location
Customers with outdated cards (not updated since deletion) may still receive old geo-push until their card updates
To force update: Send manual push notification to all customers after deleting location
Adding Multiple Locations
You can create as many locations as your plan allows:
Process:
Click "Add Location" button
Configure each location separately
Each location can have:
Different address
Different message
Different associated cards
Independent management
Plan limits:
Check your plan details for location limit
Highest plan: 10 locations per subaccount
Need more? Contact support about adding extra locations (fee applies)
Best practices for multiple locations:
Name clearly:
"Store #1 - Downtown"
"Store #2 - Mall"
"Store #3 - Airport"
Tailor messages:
Different messages for different locations
Reference location-specific offers
Match local culture/events
Associate correctly:
Ensure right cards go to right locations
Review card associations regularly
Avoid confusion with multiple locations
Technical Specifications and Limitations
Fixed 100-Metre Radius
Cannot be adjusted:
Geo-push triggers when customer enters 100-metre (330-foot) radius
This distance is set by the system
All locations use the same radius
No way to make it larger or smaller
What 100 metres means:
Approximately 1 city block
About 2-3 minute walk
328 feet / 109 yards
Close enough to be relevant, far enough to catch approaching traffic
Why this radius:
Balances notification relevance with advance notice
Too small: Customers miss notification before entering
Too large: Customers receive notifications when too far to realistically visit
Industry standard for proximity marketing
Unlimited Daily Frequency
Customers receive geo-push every time they enter the radius:
No daily limits:
If customer enters radius 5 times → 5 notifications
If customer enters radius 20 times → 20 notifications
No throttling or maximum sends per day
When this happens:
Customers who work/live nearby
Customers who pass by multiple times daily
Walking/driving routes that cross your radius repeatedly
Implications:
High-frequency customers may find it repetitive
Cannot limit to "once per day" or similar
Message should remain valuable even with repetition
Consider generic, always-relevant messages
Message strategy for high-frequency locations:
Avoid time-sensitive offers ("Today only!")
Use evergreen messages ("Visit us anytime for rewards!")
Keep it brief and non-intrusive
Focus on reminder rather than hard sell
iOS Only (Apple Wallet)
Current limitation: Geo-push works only on iPhone (iOS devices) with Apple Wallet.
Does NOT work for:
❌ Android devices (Google Wallet or PWA cards)
❌ Android phones
❌ Any non-iOS platform
Why iOS only:
Apple Wallet supports native geofencing
Android PWA/Google Wallet has different architecture
Technical limitations on Android platform
May expand to Android in future updates
If you have Android customers:
They won't receive geo-push notifications
They will still receive regular push notifications
Use regular push campaigns for Android audience
Geo-push automatically only sends to iOS customers with compatible cards
Non-Dismissible Notification (iOS)
Unique behaviour on iPhone:
Cannot be manually swiped away:
Customer cannot dismiss geo-push like regular notifications
Notification persists on lock screen
Only way it disappears: Customer leaves 100-metre radius
Why this design:
Ensures customer sees proximity alert
Prevents accidental dismissal
Reinforces relevance ("I'm still nearby, so notification is still valid")
Different from regular push which can be swiped away
Customer experience:
Notification appears when entering radius
Stays visible while customer is within radius
Disappears automatically when customer leaves radius
Reappears if customer re-enters radius
Design implications:
Message should be relevant as long as customer is nearby
Avoid urgency that expires quickly
Keep message friendly (they'll see it the whole time they're near you)
Location Permissions Required
For geo-push to work, customers must:
Have location services enabled on their iPhone
Allow location access for Wallet app (iOS Settings)
Have card installed in Apple Wallet
Be physically within 100 metres of your location
If permissions not granted:
Customer won't receive geo-push notifications
No error message to customer
Location-based features won't work
Educating customers:
Include location permission instructions when sending installation links
Explain benefit of location access ("Get notified when you're nearby!")
Provide troubleshooting help for customers not receiving geo-push
Testing Your Geo-Push
How to Test
To verify your geo-push works:
Issue yourself a test card (if you haven't already)
Install the card on your iPhone
Ensure location permissions enabled:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → ON
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Wallet → "While Using" or "Always"
Physically go to the location (or as close as possible)
Enter the 100-metre radius
Wait for notification to appear on lock screen
Leave the radius and watch notification disappear
Re-enter radius to test repeat notification
If you can't physically visit:
Test at locations where you can easily access
Use nearby colleagues/staff to test
Simulate location on iOS (developer tools, but complex)
Troubleshooting Test Issues
"I'm at the location but not getting notification"
Check:
Location services enabled?
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services (must be ON)
Settings → Location Services → Wallet (must be "While Using" or "Always")
Card installed and updated?
Open Wallet and verify card is there
Process a test transaction or receive a push to update card
Card must have latest geo-push settings
Within 100 metres?
Verify pin on map matches your actual location
Walk directly toward pin location
You might be just outside radius
Leave and return:
Walk at least 150 metres away
Wait 1-2 minutes
Walk back into radius
Gives system time to reset and re-trigger
Internet connectivity:
iPhone needs data connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
Location services require network access
Try different network if available
Special restrictions:
Some areas block GPS signals (underground, certain buildings)
Near embassies, government facilities, etc. may have restrictions
Try adjusting pin position slightly on map
"Notification appeared but wrong message"
Possible causes:
Card not updated since you changed message
Process a transaction to force card update
Send a manual push to trigger update
Wait for automatic iOS update (can take hours/days)
"Notification won't disappear"
This is normal iOS behaviour:
Geo-push stays until you leave 100-metre radius
Walk farther away from location
Notification will auto-dismiss when out of range
Best Practices for Geo-Push
Message Strategy
Make it proximity-relevant:
Acknowledge customer is nearby
Create sense of timeliness
Encourage immediate visit
Keep it brief:
Short, scannable messages
Focus on one clear value proposition
Avoid complex offers or instructions
Stay evergreen:
Message works even with repetition
Relevant any time customer is nearby
Not tied to specific day/time (unless location-specific hours apply)
Test on actual device:
Preview on iPhone lock screen
Verify message length
Check emoji display
Ensure clarity and appeal
Location Planning
Pin placement:
Centre on main entrance
Consider where customers approach from
Account for parking lot position if applicable
Test from multiple approach angles
Multiple locations:
Unique messages for each location
Reference local features or offers
Maintain consistent brand voice across locations
Radius awareness:
100 metres is fixed but consider your surroundings
Urban areas: Radius may catch passing traffic
Suburban areas: Radius may only catch parking lot
Rural areas: May need strategic pin placement for road traffic
Customer Experience
Avoid notification fatigue:
Remember customers receive notification every time they enter
Keep message friendly and non-pushy
Offer real value to justify frequent notifications
Monitor customer opt-out rates
Respect privacy:
Customers control location permissions
Don't pressure customers to enable location
Clearly explain benefit ("Get notified when nearby!")
Respect if customers disable geo-push
Combine with other tactics:
Geo-push reminds they're nearby
Regular push campaigns drive specific actions
Email provides detailed information
In-store experience closes the deal
Troubleshooting
"Location address won't auto-populate"
Solutions:
Try different formats:
"123 Main St" vs "123 Main Street"
Include city and postal code
Try nearby landmark or intersection
Use map search:
Search for your business name in mapping services
Copy exact address format from Google Maps
Use coordinates if address is new
Manual adjustment:
Enter closest matching address
Manually drag pin to exact location on map
Pin position is what matters most
"Customers not receiving geo-push"
Systematic troubleshooting:
1. Verify iOS only:
Geo-push doesn't work on Android
Only customers with iPhone receive it
Check if reporting customers are on iOS
2. Check location permissions:
Guide customers to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Must be ON globally
Must be enabled for Wallet app specifically
3. Card must be updated:
If geo-push recently added/changed, cards need updating
Send manual push to all customers to trigger update
Or wait for customers to make transactions
4. Verify pin placement:
Check pin on map matches actual location
Test yourself at that location
Adjust pin if needed
5. Radius limitations:
Customer must be within 100 metres
Verify they're actually entering the radius
Test from multiple approach directions
"Geo-push still sending after deletion"
This is expected behaviour:
Cards not yet updated:
Deletion only applies to updated cards
Customers with old card versions still receive geo-push
They'll stop once their card updates
Force card update:
Send manual push notification to all customers
This triggers card update
After update, geo-push will stop
Wait for natural update:
Cards update when transactions occur
Cards update when receiving other notifications
iOS automatically updates periodically
May take days for all cards to update
"Want to limit geo-push frequency"
Current limitation: Cannot set daily limit
Workarounds:
Change message strategy:
Use gentle, evergreen messages
Avoid aggressive "Act now!" language
Make it helpful rather than pushy
Consider location:
If location gets excessive repeat traffic, evaluate if geo-push is right
May be better suited for less frequent foot traffic areas
Combine with other channels:
Use geo-push as gentle reminder
Regular push for active campaigns
Email for detailed information
Monitor feedback:
Track customer complaints
Watch for increased opt-outs
Adjust strategy based on customer response
FAQ
Q: Can I use geo-push on Android? A: No, geo-push currently only works for iOS (iPhone with Apple Wallet). Android customers with PWA or Google Wallet cards do not receive geo-push notifications. Use regular push campaigns for Android customers.
Q: Can I change the 100-metre radius? A: No. The radius is fixed at 100 metres (330 feet) by the system and cannot be adjusted. All geo-push locations use the same radius size.
Q: How many times per day will a customer receive geo-push? A: Customers receive the geo-push notification every time they enter the 100-metre radius. There is no daily limit. If they enter the area 10 times, they'll receive 10 notifications.
Q: Can customers dismiss geo-push notifications? A: No (iOS only). Geo-push notifications cannot be manually swiped away on iPhone. They automatically disappear when the customer leaves the 100-metre radius.
Q: How do I stop a customer from receiving geo-push? A: You cannot prevent individual customers from receiving geo-push. The only options are: (1) Delete the location entirely (affects all customers), or (2) Customer can disable location services for Wallet app on their device.
Q: Can I send different geo-push messages to different customer segments? A: Not directly. All customers with the associated card(s) receive the same geo-push message for that location. For segment-specific messaging, use regular push campaigns instead.
Q: What if I have multiple entrances? A: Place the pin at your primary entrance or centred on your business. The 100-metre radius should cover multiple entrances if they're part of the same building/property.
Q: Do I need to manually trigger geo-push? A: No. Geo-push is completely automatic. Once set up, the system handles everything—triggering notifications when customers enter the radius with no action required from you.
Q: Can I schedule geo-push for certain times only (like business hours)? A: No. Geo-push is active 24/7 once created. Customers will receive notifications any time they enter the radius, even if you're closed. Consider mentioning hours in your message if relevant.
Q: How quickly do changes to geo-push take effect? A: Changes (edits or deletions) take effect immediately for newly updated cards. Existing cards must update first (via transaction, receiving push notification, or iOS auto-update) before changes apply.
Q: Can I see analytics on geo-push performance? A: Check your Analytics or Reports section for geo-push metrics. You may be able to see delivery counts, but detailed engagement tracking varies by platform capabilities.
Q: What if my location has poor GPS signal? A: Some areas (underground, near certain buildings, special facilities) have GPS restrictions or poor signal. Try adjusting the pin position slightly on the map, or acknowledge that geo-push may not work reliably at that location.
Related Articles
Push Notifications - How Automated Messages Work - Setting up automated push campaigns
Sending Push Notifications to All Customers - Manual push broadcast campaigns
Push Notifications on iPhone (iOS) - How customers receive notifications on iOS
Troubleshooting Push Notification Delivery Issues - When notifications don't work
Customer Profile Management - Managing customer information and cards
Need help with geo-push? Contact support for assistance with location setup, troubleshooting notification delivery, or questions about platform compatibility.