"Install the app" walls might be super effective at destroying reengagement, though.

I gave in and installed the Reddit app, but it simply doesn't work well enough or transition well enough from a Google search into the app. Would definitely engage a lot more with Reddit if only the app pushing nonsense were gone, and that's as a user who does have the app installed.

When Reddit first tried pushing their mobile app I gave it a try, but it was so horrible I decided to stay on web. But they kept degrading the web experience, so I quit Reddit on mobile until discovering Apollo. At this point I don’t browse on desktop, and with Apollo being shut down, I don’t think I’ll be back.

Same for me but with RIF.

RIF is reddit to me, if they stick to it and block API access I'll log on one last time to delete my account.

websites can do push notifications though now

Not unless you go through a kind of esoteric “install to Home Screen” process, which most users aren’t likely to do.

I asked the marketing team about it when I used to work at a restaurant reservation company 5+ years ago and the numbers were clear, marketing notifications work, way more engagement.